I _think_ I now have the PCV valve/hose problem on my 2003 MCS with 22,000
miles. Today the weather was rather warm (upper 80s). The engine got pretty hot
in some stop/go driving. Suddenly I started hearing a funny noise (a low pitched
whistle or "wooooooo" sound) when I revved the engine just beyond 3000 RPMs.
The noise would be there through repeated revvings of the engine and then it
would go away only to come back later.

When I got home I was not able to reproduce the noise. My first thought, though,
was the PCV issue so I checked it and found the hose was rather soft. I could
easily collapse it using one finger and my thumb.

Can anyone confirm that the sound and circumstances under which I heard it are
indicative of the PCV valve/hose problem?

 

Wow! Now I really feel like a member of the club!

I just noticed a "mooing" sound (honest, I thought I heard cows in my garage) last night when I got home, usually as I lifted off throttle and the revs came down.

I have an '03 MCS with just over 18,000 miles. I'm in SoCal where we are now in the warmer months.

This morning I heard it again and started poking around under the hood with the engine running. That's when I noticed (what I now am assuming to be) the PCV hose "buzzing" and making the cow noises. When I touched it it seemed rather soft and greasy. I had no idea what I was looking at or dealing with so I came here looking for answers - and lo-and-behold!

I have a call in to Irvine MINI to see when they can look at it.

My only question is (and it doesn't seem to have been completely answered in this thread) am I alright to drive with this problem? Or do I risk doing some/more damage?

Thanks for the help.

JK

 

>>I found my pvc valve just under and to the left of where it say MINI on the valve cover. It has the hose they replaced connected to it. You need a 8mm wrench to take it off. I took mine off and yes it does rattle. Hope this helps.

Yep, mine rattles..

>>My only question is (and it doesn't seem to have been completely answered in this thread) am I alright to drive with this problem? Or do I risk doing some/more damage?

Dunno. No one even seems to know if this could cause lower performance either.

 

I had my PCV valve and vacuum hose replaced, and in the 2 tanks since then, I've seen approx 2mpg improvement.
Not long enough to be definitive yet.

 

The PCV hose is soft and oily on my MCS with only 18,000ish miles. I also notice a faint whine while in motion and then moderatly accelerate. Deffinatly not the SC, as I have a Promini filter and revel in the screems that come from behind the steering wheel. This noise has originated only in the past month or so since we finally started getting some heat in the Boston area.

Question...

I've been considering some form or another of CatchCan (Alta for example).
Along with the stated benifits of this kind of device, has anyone noted whether it also aids in preventing oil from entering the PCV/hose? Might be worth pursuing to prevent further breakdown or re-breakdown once I get PCV/hose replaced.


thoughts?