I have a 2005 R53 with 152k on the clock. I've only owned the car for about 3 months, and I have a nagging noise problem that is driving me crazy. When accelerating, there is a strong ticking/clicking sound coming from what sounds like the driver's side firewall. Under hard acceleration, the noise is less noticeable due to the supercharger whine. The noise is most pronounced at highway speeds when light to moderate throttle is applied in top gear. It is definitely linked to the application of throttle, if there is no throttle, there is no noise! The noise also seems most pronounced from 2000 - 4000 rpm. I've replaced the belt tensioner and idler, and have removed and inspected the supercharger (along with oil replacement). Any thoughts on what the issue may be?

 

Sorry, I can't help much, but I hope it doesn't sound like this....



Conrod bearing lost due to lack of oil:

 

Luckily that's not it. It doesn't have the harsh sound like a bottom end problem. It's a real tinny sound that sounds a lot like an exhaust leak ticking. However, it's definitely not an exhaust leak as I pressurized the system and found nothing.

 

Does it have the JCW intake? That, and your brake reservoir are really the only things on the driverside firewall that I can think of.
If you do have the JCW air box, perhaps the flapper is doing something weird.

Other clicking noises could be the PCV valve (but on the other side)

 

My 06 Cooper S sounds a bit like the video. I just had a new clutch installed at a total of $1,700. It rattles when I press the gas pedal. No noise when the clutch is depressed. I saw where it could be the after market flywheel and is just "clutch chatter"? I called the shop to have it brought back in to look at. The noise is just really annoying. I bought my cooper from a dealer and 89 days later...the water pump went out...blew the supercharger. So water pump repaired...new supercharger, crank pulley and $1,900 later she was good to go. Almost a yr later the clutch went out. I still LOVE my car. I have found that they can be cantankerous... but so much fun to drive. Should I worry about this rattle noise?

 

Here is a link to the YouTube video of me driving tonight. The noise is very faint, but can be heard as I ease on the throttle.

http://youtu.be/C0EkEoYvuIU

 

The slight noise I could hear in the video sounded more like a suspension or drive train noise. I would look at the rubber upper strut mount to make sure it is not torn or ripping apart. Almost sounds like a CV joint. Do you hear the noise when turning a low speed?

I would jack up the car and spin the tires and wiggle the suspension trying to find anything a little loose. Also lift up and press down on the suspension to see if anything is loose. Check for play/noise at the sway bar end links or ball joints.

Another thought is to jack up the whole front, place on jack stands, and check for noise with car in gear and engine running. Even turn the wheel back and forth listening carefully for the noise.

 

Yeah, suspension has been gone through. It is definitely engine related. Too consistent with engine speed, load, etc. Strut mount are in great shape with no cracking.

 

Have someone run the engine at various RPMs while you listen on various parts of the engine with a automotive stethoscope or long screwdriver. If you cannot hear the noise, lift the front wheels off the ground and run the engine in gear at various RPMs while listening to various engine parts.
Here is a link to a stethoscope:
http://www.harborfreight.com/mechani...ope-69913.html

 

What kind of fuel are you running? Is the sound that you are hearing..engine pinging/detonation?

EDIT: Just listened to the video you posted...it's not pinging. Almost sounds like a piece of paper or something flapping around under the hood or something.

 

Not pinging, I always run premium

 

Mine sounds a bit like that video Jamez posted. 06 MCS. The chain had broken so they replaced the head, said the bottom looked clean, and I finally got it back last week, only to find it ticks/flutters at certain rpm. They said they are right 95% of the time when they replace the head like that, but ... i'm not lucky. It was just a slight flutter only at around 2300 rpm in the parking lot at the dealer, but then I drove it a bit and it got worse. I'm currently trying to figure out if I have to buy a long block (with money I don't have) based on the fear alone or if I could switch to a thicker oil and keep an eye on it. I'll get it back this weekend. They do not know for sure what it is -- they just don't advise trying to fix different pieces any further when you could instead replace the whole thing.
If you want to help, I would love to send you a video of the sound. I would keep the car if it could be fixed for a few K, but at this point I'm getting near value of the car for two separate engine repairs at dealer labor rate, even with a discount they gave me because they felt bad.

Not a happy camper. Love my car too much and now the repair is spiraling up.

Any advice appreciated. Long-time NAM reader, just haven't been posting due to family stuff.

Thanks
MC

 

Sorry to derail Duckranger -- mine is different than yours. I thought mine was describable as ticking at first too is why I clicked on your post. Mine reminded me of a baseball card stuck in the spokes of an old bicycle. Yours is very subtle. I can't speculate much on what it is. I'm not 1/10th the mechanic some of these guys are.

My mechanic thought the little tick/knock on mine could be a wrist pin, but that conrod bearing sounds very similar. I thought they replaced the bearings while in there, but I don't know that for sure.

 

Unfortunately my phone is on Sprint so I didn't see your video. However a ticking on the passanger side while accelerating is very common on the R53. Mine is noticable while accelerating in an on ramp if I'm beside a concrete barrier wall. Mine had done it for 10 years. Hopefully yours is a minor ticking not a rapping sound like a bearing.

 

It could be your timing chain. The guides may have failed allowing to much slack in the chain. That's what happened to mine. Sounded like I had an exhaust leak when it happened.