I've got an MC with 2,700 miles. I know this noise isn't the HPFP or the timing chain issue, since my car is not an S model.

At cold start, immediately after starting up, it makes a whining noise for maybe two seconds, possibly less. A/C off or on, doesn't matter. Its only on the first start of the day. I can turn the car off immediately and restart, no whine noise. If the car is warm, no whine noise.

Is this a MINI "feature" for us MC drivers? Again, its a whining/whirring noise, ONLY upon a cold start up, immediately after letting go of start/stop button, for two seconds or less.

Should I be concerned? When I do cold-start searches, I am bombarded with the S model issues (that don't apply to me).

Thanks!

 

Hmmm, I must be the only one with this particular problem.

 

It may not be a problem. Lots of stuff has to happen on startup

 

Double-check your oil level. And visually inspect the drive belt. Since the car is so new still it may just be "breaking" in still, but I know that is a kind of thin excuse.

A few times in the bitter cold (colder than -20°F) I SWEAR my MC had the death rattle. It was chattering something fierce I couldn't hear the radio over the engine rattle for about 60 seconds.

I don't have a sound like you describe other than the starter motor itself it makes a "waaaaa" sound when it disengages.

Since you describe it only happens on the first start of the day I really suspect oil or fuel pressure (I hear the fuel pump when I unlock the door or open it if it was unlocked in the garage) because you say it won't happen if you immediatly restart.

 

Sounds like a starter issue

 

My Cooper is doing that too and it's got less than 900 miles on it. It occurs only with the first start of the day and the sound lasts less than a second. I have an "ear" for car sounds and I suspect many drivers wouldn't notice it.

I agree with Duffer in that I believe the starter is just a bit slow disengaging the flywheel when the engine starts. The sound manifests itself at the moment the engine fires. It puzzles me that it does this as you (Juju) describe - only with the first start. After that, any later starts are normal. If I had to guess, I believe temperature may be a factor.

Unless it gets worse, it doesn't concern me.

 

Thanks for the replies. At this point I'm not too terribly concerned. Car has more than enough oil. Like most people, my oil level from the factory is what I consider OVER the fill mark (not dangerously so). Nice clean oil.

Its very strange that its not even really related to engine temp since I can start the car, it makes the noise for 1-2 seconds, then immediately turn it off and restart (I'm sure she LOVES that, haha), and it doesn't make the noise.

Maybe it an oil pressure pump coming online.