I have a 2005 MCS with 11,500 miles on it, give or take...

I am arranging to have my car brought in for service this week.

Here are the details:

'Noise sounds like a burbling noise, like a fan with a bad bearing in a tub or in air shaft
'Noise is activated by a relay somewhere near the steering column as I hear a click just before the sound comes out.
'Noise is not a faint sound - pretty easy to hear it from inside the car
'Noise is present even if turning off AC unit entirely
'Noise does not change in pitch or loudness when rpm is rev'ed
'Noise sometimes continues if turn engine off by one counter clockwise turn.

'Noise cannot be heard above engine noise from under bonnet (probably due to acoustical masking because engine is so much louder)

'Noise is forward of driver somewhere around the firewall maybe in the center of the car ???? (my guess)


'Engine Temp has not changed
'Engine is not leaking anything
'Does not appear to be powersteering related.

Anyone with a Bentley's manual that can hint at an 05 issue, or anyone have this problem,


Thanks in Advance,

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=32571

Clutch Pilot bearing - since it happens when I am stopped in nuetral.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=44691

this last link describes a still evolving fix for item number 2 which seems to mirror my issue.

Will keep you posted

 

what about the power steering fan? located in the center bottom of the engine...close to the firewall

 

Your description really does not sound like the "throw-out bearing" noise.

That sound is pretty characterisic - in neutral, engage the clutch by letting pedal out quickly...your MINI will now sound like a tractor!! If you let the clutch pedal out slowly, the sound will be greatly diminished or absent altogether.

The sound will not continue when engine is off (as you describe).

 

the reason I think it is the Clutch Pilot Bearing - and not the throw out bearing is because it make noise while in nuetral and does not change if clutch is depressed several times. (But thanks for the suggestion Tuls.)

I think YYC that it continues for say 20 seconds after engine is shut off... so not indefinately... I now am pretty sure I am hearing it because of the a/c ducts channeling the sound into the 'cabin'.

Just dropped it off at the dealers - I will post back here when it is resolved. I noticed that people back in 2004 in the other post said they would post the resolution when their problem was resolved... but alas, they never did

 

The clutch Pilot bearing, like the throw out bearing, is only rotating when the clutch is disengaged, (pedal in). When the clutch is engaged the bearing is not working. I don't know about the MINI but on most cars it is a sleeve bearing.

If the clutch throw out bearing is dragging, then it may rotate when the pedal is up.

According to the forums, several people have had the slave cylinder bind, limiting the throw of the clutch release arm, and cause the release (throw out) bearing to drag, and wear out, or the clutch to slip and wear out.

John

 

It seems that what you are saying is the pilot bearing only works when the pedal is in, and the throw out only when it is out ???

In either case, I don't think it can be either now, as the noise happens independant of clutch being in or out, and is not affected by changing 'state' of the clutch.

Whatever it is, I think the AC ducting is making the sound channel and clearly heard in the interior... Should not be hard for them. They are looking into it today...

Will post results when they can identify and I can confirm it is fixed.

Thanks for the explanation (I am more of an electronics guy)

 

from the sound you described, it could possibly be your water pump? Keep us posted.

 

Power Steering Motor.

Tuls, you were right !!

The Shop Foreman and another Mini owner did not think it was Power Steering.

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions....

Now we know....

I have a sound file on a ipaq pocket pc that somewhat plays the sound... I will try and get it in a pc wave format for others to hear...

Thanks all

 

HUh....well it was only due to your quality description...glad you got it worked out!!

Chris