This may or may not be a mechanical problem but it is a nuisance. I'd like some assistance figuring it out. I purchased used hi-mileage Mini with a bad CVT in February. After installing a reman CVT, the car performs just fine.

In the cooler months after it warmed up, when I decelerated at a low speed I could hear an intermittent buzzing sound. Now that it is warmer it happens pretty regularly. It sounds a bit like a heat shield rattling for about 3-5 seconds. I have dug around underneath the car for a clue, bent some of the shielding that could be the issue, but the sound still persists. I can flick the shielding in places and it makes a similar sound, but I could locate nothing loose. The symptom is temperature dependant and occurs no matter the gear position.

Does anyone have an idea on localizing the sound? I've considered riding on the hood or placing a baby monitor in different areas under the car to try a localization, but think there might be a better way. Perhaps it's not the shielding at all. Any ideas on finding the noise or speculation on what else it could be?

 

Did you ever figure out what the buzz was? I had mine into Motorwerks for service this week and they couldn't figure it out. Mine is still pretty intermitent but they said they got it to do it. At first they thought it was the blower motor but determined that it was not the problem. Any ideas would be helpful...

 

It's still buzzed - I'm convincied it's a heat shield or something. I might have a mechanic try to reproduce it on a lift when I have my tires done. Are you around Minneapolis? I'd be up for a comparison and another person motivated to help find it.

 

Famington is home. It seems like the buzzing is more likely to happen when it is warm outside. Brenda at Motorwerks said they had the Stethoscopes(sp) out trying to figure it out. But found nothing to fix. It hasn't done it for me lately. The first time I noticed it I was running autocross and it was about 85 degrees outside. Icompleted my run and it had stopped before I could get back to the paddock so my son could listen to it. Got it to do it at home and couldn't figure it out, so I called and made an appointment. They suggested I try turning off the A/C to see if the sound goes away. It seems to,(if it is buzzing and turn off the air it stops). Still got me stumped....I need to figure it out before the warrenty runs out.