Well I love my 2003 Mini Cooper S with about 39K miles that I have had for just over 1week.

Today after work I started it up and it seemed to make a noise under the bonnet like a "whoosing sound" and it is louder than it has been for the last week. I have read the helicopter noise thread.

I only drove another 10 miles to home and a short errand. No service engine soon lights, oil pressure warning (oil on dipstick is above the lower line), no oil leaks on the garage floor, runs excellent.

My wife thinks it sounds like esacaping air, I turned it off checked all fluids and turned it back on no sound.

I waited a couple hours went out to the garage and started it up, the noise is back. It seems to quiet with the clutch pushed in while the transmission is in neutral. So I am thinking it might be the flywheel like other members have thought.

Carmax is supposed to have a 30 day warranty and I bought an extended warranty so I guess it goes back to their service department.

Any ideas on what I should tell the SA or anywhere I can print out a service bulletin on this issue?

thanks-Mr. D

 

Check for air leak in the intake. Get a old garden hose cut it off to about 2 feet and stick it in the motor while running and listen for the noise. If you hear something that comes up through the "listening tool" look closer and you may find your problem. Use caution though becuase you will be poking around a running engine.

 

I bought an automotive Stethoscope from harbor fgt tools for $2.00 on sale from $6.99.....It gets used alot! Minis are strange little beasts and make a lot of odd noises! Thing comes in VERY handy even for rattles! (someone else drives and you listen until you find it!) A dealers approach to rattles is the "pounding on it" test!!!

 

Try squeezing the PCV hose to see if it has gone soft; this was a recall item.

 

BINGO!!!!! got my vote.