I have an 07 cooper s and I'm sure I'm not the only one with leaky gaskets and what not. My oil light comes on every 1000 miles. So I have to fill her up. A couple of months ago I took notice that my car would make a grinding/whining noise only when I would turn right (anything over 20mph). About a week later I knew I was due for more oil so I added some in and that noise went away. The next time it started making that noise I purposely waited for my oil light to come on just to see that if me adding the oil had anything to do with that noise... Well.. I added the oil and the noise went away.

Does anybody know why my car is making that noise only when I make a right hand turn? And why it does it when it starts to get low on oil?

 

Well if the oil comes out it must be getting on something, If an engine makes that kind of noise it kind of doesnt go 1000 miles so look where the oil goes.

 

I know I have a bad oil filter housing gasket and the intercooler muffler is covered in oil. But the grinding noise didn't always happen at first and when I make a left hand turn it doesn't make the noise at all. Only right hand turns

 

Just a tip...
The oil light is a low PSI light...NOT a low level light.
Going about 3quarts/liters low in 1000 miles is a huge leak/consumption....
Sounds that you hear when turning is usually related to a CVT joint or wheel bearings.....
If you were hearing the sounds in turns with the low oil psi light flashing...then it would likly be engine related.... internally...
If the engine has been run low enough in oil to get the light to turn on...the damage has likly been done.... internally the engine is likely on borrowed time....it sound like it has happened more than once to you...so perhaps it might be time to move on from your car before it leaves you...a significant $$$ is required to stay safe and on the road in a very short time...and then a major engine issue will still likely appear soon....and the engine repair will likly REQUIRE a motor swap....running low on oil enough to turn on a psi light typically causes damage...some folks get lucky.....
Ouch....
Good luck

 

I hope that isn't the case. What's weird is the car drives perfectly fine. I have no power issues or any check engine lights on (besides that oil light). But when it starts to make that noise I know I need to add oil. So I do that right away. I'd like to take it to a Mini dealer and have them look at it but I'm sure they are going to charge me quite a lot of money for an opinion. I also bought the car used from a Ford dealership and I bought a warranty with it. I have 1 more year on that warranty and it covers anything internal for the engine

 

Mayhap a silly question. Have you ever checked the dip stick on a REGULAR basis like weekly or even sooner? Mine doesn't use a drop of oil and I check it every week and at the pump. Waiting on idiot lights to come on, they usually indicate that something has gone bad, not that something is going to go bad. It is always better to be pro-active rather than re-active.
Far as the 'grinding' noise, I'm betting the CV boots have crapped out and all the grease is gone.
Rather than a dealership which is way more expensive, use the below link to find a good independent shop. Dealerships tend to just throw new parts at problems while a good indie will diagnose and repair if he can. They also usually don't have as high an hourly rate.
http://www.minirepairshops.com/

 

I was checking the oil on a regular basis and yeah I've been losing oil ever since I bought the car. Valve cover gasket was replaced. I stopped checking on a regular basis when I first noticed that sound. I was on the lower side of oil and like I said a week after it first happened I put more oil in it because it was time. I change my oil every 3000 miles and the last time we had it in the air to do so we checked the CV joints and boots and they aren't leaking. Even if they were... why would it only happen when oil level gets low? And if something is definitely wrong internally, wouldn't it make that noise all the time? Regardless of whether the oil is topped off or on the low side? I'm thinking its my oil pump and when it makes that noise during a right turn the oil shifts away from the pump leaving it to pump nothing

 

Failure to matain a motor with enough oil, or ignoring a leak VOIDS the warrenty....hate to rain on your parade...but you must take action to stop damage ASAP once you have an issue...failure to do so will result in a denial of a claim in most cases...modern ECU's store all kind of info, watch out......the fact the car is covered with oil under the hood, and the underside of the car will make it hard to hide that it didn't suddenly happen unexpectedly if it blows up....
If you have a warrenty, limp it into the place to get it fixed...maybe you got lucky....and the leak is covered...and they can check the grinding noise....
Generally the longer something is allowed to go on, the price if the fix goes up $$$$.

 

And one tip...
The mini uses a timing chain that is tensioned with oil psi.

If the oil runs low...the tensioner does not work right...the Chain wears excessively...and BOOM...complete engine failure ...
If the chain goes...the motor is a trash...valves, etc all are junk....
And with improper tension...the chain is bouncing around...chain guide are likely gone...worn...
My suggestion...
Fill the oil up...then drive to drop the car off ti get fixed.

 

Fix the oil leak, keep the oil at the proper level, always. Your grinding noise when making turns is most likely a hub or wheel bearing. But, since you are so adamant on only adding oil when the pressure light goes on, my guess is that the hub or wheel bearing is the least of your concerns right now. Sorry. You are most likely into an engine failure soon.

 

Well if you were to keep the car, and if it was a jalopy racer, you could drill a 3/4+ hole in the oil filler cap plumb an angle fitting run a hose to a plastic drinking bottle run the tube to the bottom add a second tube at the top up and out and finish with a filter breather, then cannibalize the case vents. then get a spray bottle and some non flammable cleaning agent maybe simple green, open the inlet hose at the rear disconnect, spend a whole day spraying solution through the engine letting it burble away, change the oil,,,,,, Well you might just free the rings up enough to have some fun or just see how far you can keep going, if you feel really rebellious you can just dump the oil that collects right back in,

Yes doom and gloom all stormy,,,, fix it,,,, but hey I've been there and hell if you can just keep the thing going its rainbows and sunshine haaaaaaa,,,diabolical voice in the background

make some gear head freinds,,,,,,,,,,,

 

ANY time the oil pressure light (NOT OIL LEVEL) comes on, you should immediately pull over and stop. Now, NO waiting. I mean pull over and hitchhike to a place where you can get help.

Confirm the oil level, fill it as needed, then and ONLY then, continue your trip. Any kind of motor oil is better than no motor oil.

And fix those darn leaks. With a little luck, maybe you haven't ruined your engine by running the oil low. Cornering force makes the oil drift to one side in the oil pan, so it sounds like you've been starving the engine of oil every time you corner in one direction. This is not only bad, but extremely bad.

I also suggest reading the owner's manual so that you understand what every warning light means.