Fellow NAMers,
I noticed a ticking noise when I was warming my 02 MCS last night. It makes this ticking noise just at the point that the engine is warmed up. It does it at lower idle speed. It does not at warm up idle. Has anyone experienced this weird noise?
ARLY

 

Is this a noise similar to what a Toyota sounds like? Their engines have VVT (Variable Valve Timing) and have that noise as a part of their engines. But I have also noticed some ticking from my MINI (its just over the 10k mark) but I just had it serviced so I don't think much of it at this point. Anyone else have anything to chime in???

 

Mine ticks sometimes, too, upon start-up. Very faint, yet noticeable. Goes away after driving a bit. 27,000 miles on my 2003 MINI CVT. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

-boognish

 

The ticking comes from the engine valves It happens because it takes time for the oil to travel upwards to fill the lifter and the gaps between the cam and lifters. It occurs more often we you strat the engine after it has been off for a while. If the noise is extreme you might need adjustment otherwise think of it as old age ticking in

 

This is a loud ticking that I hear. it does not sound like from valve rattle. It just hits a rpm at idle and then it sounds.

 

There are two different emissions control devices that sometimes come on during warmup. One is the canister purge solenoid that will make a rapid 'tickatickatickaticka' sound at a fixed frequency. The other is the leak detection pump near the fuel tank which makes a slow 'tick-tock' sound for about a minute. It could be most likely the former device. Neither one of these are affected by engine rpm around idle.

MCSs can also encounter a bit of 'rotor rattle' at certain rpms. This is not a cause for concern either, just the nature of the beast. Some cars have a pronounced transmission rattle as well that goes away when the clutch pedal is depressed.

 

I have an '04 cooper S with the 6 speed and have noticed a random ticking when I just begin to move out in first gear. It is noticeable with the driver's window open but not so much from the passenger's side. It isn't rythmic at all and sounds metallic or maybe like a relay? Not sure if this is the same thing or not, but I would like to know what causes it too.

 

Mine recently started ticking at idle and low rpms. The noise was coming from the belt area. Took it to the dealership and they told me the belt tensioner needed to be adjusted and a new belt also was added becuase it was cracked. Now its fixed and there is no clicking or ticking just smooth engine noise

 

i have an 03 S with a 6 speed with 43k and just noticed a ticking noise when at idle and also hear it rattle faster when the rpms are brought up. any ideas? its driving me nuts!

 

The Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) has a tendency to make a ticking sound with the clutch NOT depressed. My MINI did it and it was most noted with the driver's window down but could be heard with the windows up. I had the DMF and clutch replaced at 27,000 miles, I can barely here it now, but Cassie is now at 46,667 miles. I believe there is a service bulletin out on this.

Try pressing the clutch to see if the sound goes away.

Good luck.

 

If it goes away when the clutch is depressed, then it is the clutch... there was a "recall/service Bulletin" My wife's clutch did it and was replaced at 50K

 

The ticking sound you hear at startup is likely the sound of the Leak Detection Pump located in the passenger rear wheel well cycling as the ECM commands the EVAP leak test; the test will not run if the fuel level is under 1/4 or greater than 3/4.

 

That's your drive axles its "normal". (sounds like a tink-kinda like a nickel hitting a metal bar once) it can be "fixed" if the replacement set you get have better tolerances but will come back with aggressive acceleration just one of the quirks of the cars. $1500 race axles will fix it too