hi all, heres the story
2006 MINI cooper with about 5k on the clock, it's my fiance's car and is BABIED like crazy
sometimes i go warm the car up on the really cold mornings, and i notice a shrill screeching when i first start the car up....
i have already changed the oil at around 2500 with MOBIL 1 and plan on doing so again in another 500 miles, so lubrication should NOT be an issue here, heck the car has 5000 miles on it
when i rev the car slightly (1500rpm say) it goes away
wondering if this is a normal MINI quirk here, although i tend to doubt it
any thoughts?

 

Sounds like the belt screech to me. I have not had that happen on my MINI but have encountered that on other vehicles.

 

do you have an oil pressure gauge ? sometimes if the filter is put on improperly or whatever the oil pressure will go to zero at idle . search the forum ;there should be something on it . not trying to alarm you but worth a look . does sound like the belt though i've never experienced it .

 

def not the belt, i am sure of that...this is more of a metalic shrill noise...i'll have to pop the hood and investigate further tomorrow morning

 

Metallic shrill.... Hmmm. Starter not disengaging?

 

Power steering and/or the blower fan for the climate control... but I'd bank on the power steering.

I get it all the time (especially since it's been -6 here in the mornings).

It's never caused me any problems, just let it warm up.

 

It's your fiance's Mini raising cain at you for not convincing her to park it in a nice warm garage.

 

sorry, but we dont move to our new house ( with 750sqft garage) til end of april.....so for now it's outside

thanks for the replies, i'll be sure to keep eveyone posted as to what it is

 

if it is the blower fan or power steering, why does it go away as soon as i raise the throttle a tad not doubting you, but from what i gather neither of these run off serp belt, and i'm sure the voltage being low at first start up in the cold isn't a factor here???

 

I wouldn't know the nuts and bolts of the "why". I could speculate as to the speed the pump is turning... the temperature of the hydrolic fluid... maybe it's even the power steering fan that is making the noise and stops when turning faster when the engine is off of idle.

You are right though, the PS and blowerfan don't run off the serp.

Here's something to try: When you first start the car, try turing the wheel. I did this again this morning and when I turned the wheel it was stiff at first (as though I had no power steering), and then the squeel stopped and the wheel turned with ease. (I guessing because the pump started turning faster)

It may not be either of those two... that's just what it is for me and it's just something to look into.

 

750 sq. ft. huh? i don't know you but i now hate you . seriously ; that's awsome !!

 

it'll be a plain bearing maybe something requiring greese not oil pressure. when you make the noise go away bye adding peddle does it come back when you release the peddle?

 

no, and it hasn't made a noise since my post (figures)
i realise the fan will be a plain bearing or bushing, but i do not think that's what i was.

 

Hey, look on the bright side... at least it was the "vanishes at the dealer" noise.

I've done that a couple times and I think my SA thinks I'm a little looney. (Either that or the voices in my head are getting louder.)

 

With the temps below 10f our MINI upon starting will bounce both the fuel and temp gauge needles into negative oblivion along with the speedo bouncing to its own little dance. The entire process lasts a few seconds...nothing else unusual. I am thinking it may be battery related ??? ANYONE ??? '04 MINI S

 

It's possible. The speedo tends to buzz for the first couple seconds after startup when the battery is nearing its end.

 

please don't move to florida to solve the problem......many have already done so, and it's getting crowded down here....thanks.

 

But come on! You guys have such better weather then we do. (aside from your yearly bouts of hurricanes )