I there guys, my wife's cooper has an odd whining sound coming from the left of the engine. Based on some experience from other vehicle brands, it sounds like the water pump. We had the water pump replaced a year ago under the recall. Does the extended warranty or a recall induced parts/labor warranty cover this part? Any surprises we can expect? Sorry, I like to research before I go the dealer as I've noticed it helps in bringing to light some things the shop may have missed in the past. Thanks in advance. I feel like I spend every weekend at the Mini Dealer.

 

There are two water pumps on R56 Turbo MINI. The auxiliary water pump that cools the turbo after shutdown is the pump that was replaced on the recall. You don't say what year MINI you have. The main water pump is located low on the motor on the passenger side. I would think the extended warranty would cover the main water pump.

 

Thanks gregsmini. It's a 2009 cooper s. The whining is coming from the passenger side pully. I guess it could be a few things but based on research it's the wp. Any feedback so that I can be well informed would help. Thanks

 

Definitely sounds like the main water pump is about ready to take a dump. What is the mileage on your 2009 a Mini Cooper S?

 

It has 71k miles on her. Still have the 100k cpo warranty. Hopefully there's no fine print

 

Could it be you just need a new friction pulley?

 

Well that will be a first if my cooper only needs something as simple as that. Could be a sign that the issues are starting to dwindle. My prayers would be answered, lol.

 

Just to show you the locations of the water pumps and what to look for , these might be covered under the extended warranty, I would call your dealership and talk about it first.

This will help you know what parts you are talking about.

On the front left ( driver side of the engine ) sets the aux water pump , after you shut down the engine on the newest part it will make a little whine noise that you can tell its pumping coolant for a short period then shuts off. On the older design some people said it was louder.



Aux Water Pump


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11537630368/




The impeller type water pump is located on the back corner of the engine on the passenger side. It can make a little noise but usually it leaks from the housing or cracks near the seal. The older design has a plastic housing.



#1 in the diagram above. Water Pump ( metal housing type )


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11518604888/




&

#3 is the drive wheel which connects to the water pump and spins on the friction wheel.

Drive Wheel For Water Pump


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11517619020/ES2101887/




The friction wheel can develop a noise as it rubs up against the belt and then spins the drive wheel. You can inspect this area for noise or chirping. Sometimes its just a bad belt.



#3 in the diagram.

Friction Wheel


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11287598833/ES1898202/




Thanks and hope that helps. Good luck.

 

Wow, thanks a million ECSTuning. I'm leaning towards friction wheel and belt now. Will advise on Saturday once I take her in.

 

Welcome and good luck.

Thanks

 

Can you let me know what was fixed and how much it ended up costing you if anything? My car is a 2009 Cooper S as well and I'm getting a high pitched whistle/whine noise when I accelerate fast. Mine has about 74k miles on it and this may be the answer to what my problems are.

Edit: Forgot to post I had a thread open. I posted this video in the thread. Can you tell me if this is what you are/were hearing (hopefully were)?

 

Good Morning Cdboss. My cooper s is in the shop as it stayed there for them to have the master tech look at it. No call as of yet. It was hard hearing your noise due to road noise, but in the faint distance I believe I heard what may be the same whine I have. My noise is more apparent obviously when idling or when driving slowly in traffic or in town. I believe when in higher speeds it's definitely harder for me to hear. I have a video and I'll post it up.

 

Mine's the opposite actually. It's very faint or you can't hear anything at all at idle or slow/normal acceleration. As soon as you accelerate quickly though, it whistles as if I put a giant turbo on it. My Mini is completely stock so, it's not noise from a CAI.

I'm taking it up to the guys at Helix in Philadelphia today to have them take a look, since the Mini dealer wants $150 just for a diagnostic. I'm not 100% sure what it is but, I'm hoping they can figure it out. I'll keep you posted if you want but, I'm not sure we're having the same exact issue.

Edit: And yes, if you have a video, please do post it, I'd like to hear it.

 

Here's the link for the video;



The shop eventually discovered a combo issue. As Alexs3D2 mentioned, the friction pulley was replaced only after discovering that the water pump was leaking on to it. Initially only the faulty water pump was replaced but after sitting in the shop overnight and having a morning start, the noise was still not gone. They then decided to head my suspicions thanks to Alexs3D2, they replaced the friction pulley and that helped out. The car is now good to go. I'll find out once I pick up the car what the out of pocket costs would have been if it was out of warranty.

 

Great, glad I could help and you have it figured out. The video you linked I think you uploaded the wrong one.

Thanks

 

Thanks ECSTuning. I reuploaded it, that other one was of the 5+ mile lines for gas during Hurricane Sandy. Thanks again.

 

I took mine up to Helix13 and they weren't able to figure out the issue. Mine only makes the noise under load, not when it's idle. The only time you can really hear it is if you accelerate very fastly. It's gotta be something with my intake and the turbo, but they're not certain. They took apart the entire cold side of my intake and pieced it back together but, still no dice really.

Just sounds like my turbo is VERY loud.

 

Hmmm, I'm sort of stumped on yours. Now, consider me oblivious, but if mechanically they couldn't pin point it to the intake, what about this sound amplifier that I believe I read about that is somewhere around the engine that give's Mini that unique resonating engine sound? Again, since they can't attribute it to something mechanical, not saying it may not be, but how about something as simple as that resonator? Again, call me oblivious, but if that apparatus cracks or something, I would assume it could make a high pitched noise like that.

 

Glad I could help! It seems mine will need changing too :(

 

Could be, but I'm not certain. What I am certain of is, now that it's getting colder, the sound seems to have disappeared almost. Is there a gasket for the turbo somewhere? I'm almost going to bet that the gasket needs to be replaced and during the hot weather it expands from the heat.

Again, not certain but your idea wasn't too bad either.

 

You have a really good point there. Could be some forced air escape from a bad gasket. Helix would probably know of there's a gasket.

 

Yeah, I'm going to shoot them a call and see if they know. Thanks for the help JugoGoya!

I hope yours gets all fixed up.

 

I would check two areas on the intake side if you are looking for an air leak.



#10 ( ribbered version ) maybe cracks near the turbo inlet and the small tube that branches off to the side.

Rubber Boot Part # 13717555784


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/13717555784/



&

Possibly maybe a connection on the back side near the sound generator ( if you have not deleted it ,# 8, #10 and #13 . 1/2 of #13 & #16 is just a sounds side.




Good luck.