1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Engine Sounds

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  1. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #2 Steve, Nov 10, 2009
    Holy crap, that's a new one on me! That's really coming from your MINI? Weird.

    Well, I'm obviously no help. Here's hoping one of our many experienced types will chime in.

    Good luck and welcome to M/A!
     
  2. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #3 Metalman, Nov 10, 2009
    A cold start MINI at a train crossing?:frown2:

    Wow, very strange.
     
  3. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #4 BlimeyCabrio, Nov 10, 2009
    That car is possessed. Yikes.
     
  4. mini_racer

    mini_racer Well-Known Member

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    #5 mini_racer, Nov 10, 2009
    That aint right! And hard to believe it is an automotive sound, very strange.
     
  5. jbkoopa

    jbkoopa New Member

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    #6 jbkoopa, Nov 10, 2009
    demons took over it. car was crying in the beginning of the clip.
     
  6. Deviant

    Deviant Banned

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    #7 Deviant, Nov 10, 2009
    Isn't that what Blimey's horn sounds like?
    That or you have a harmonica stuck in your intake. Can you pinpoint where on the engine it's coming from?
     
  7. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #8 ScottinBend, Nov 10, 2009
    PCV valve? Had a car that made some very weird sounds and it ended up being a plugged PCV valve. It caused some pressure in the valve cover and it was escaping around the oil filler cap.
     
  8. GeorgeCo

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    #9 GeorgeCo, Nov 10, 2009
    I like the sound of that (pun intended). That sounds like something I can fix. Where do I look for it? If I loosen the oil filler cap a little when I hear it I guess that would check your theory, no?
     
  9. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #10 BlimeyCabrio, Nov 10, 2009
    Sounds like a good test.

    This has got me thinking... I don't know when (if ever) my PCV has been replaced. Just ordered one.

    The PCV is the thing plugged into the passenger side top of the valve cover - connected to the rubber hose. #1 in the pic:

    [​IMG]
     
  10. GeorgeCo

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    #11 GeorgeCo, Nov 11, 2009
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2009
    Rats. Replaced the Valve and that's not the source. It's hard to figure out where exactly it's coming from -- the fact that it's raining and I'm standing with my head in the engine compartment as the rain fills my ears isn't helping either. It really sounds like steam blowing off, like some sort of pressure relief valve. I think on the back side of the engine. I checked the fluid reservoir and I have enough coolant. I put a towel around the cap as the sound was being made and the pitch didn't change. After I replaced the PCV Valve I checked the hose and there's a good vacuum there. Power steering fluid is good and the pitch of the sound didn't change when I opened the PS reservoir a crack. I'm stumped.
     
  11. nabeshin

    nabeshin New Member

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    #12 nabeshin, Nov 12, 2009
    So the car runs fine besides this noise? I'd get a mechanic's stethoscope and start poking around.
     
  12. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #13 Steve, Nov 12, 2009
    I second the mechanic's stethoscope advice. You can get one pretty cheap (less than $20) and you'll likely find more reasons to use it over the years.
     
  13. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #14 BlimeyCabrio, Nov 12, 2009
    They were on sale for $4 at harbor freight last week - might still be on sale...
     
  14. imspencerwithanr53

    imspencerwithanr53 New Member

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    #15 imspencerwithanr53, Nov 12, 2009
    How's your Oil level? I would do an Oil Change right away. See if there are any metal shavings in the oil. My car was making that sound last week and I changed my oil to check for shavings. But the the oil change fixed the sound.

    If it doesn't change the sound... Pull the valve cover again and check for a bad lifter. It could be possible that a lifter clip broke and you might have to replace it. It's under $100 from the dealer... So i've heard.
     
  15. GeorgeCo

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    #16 GeorgeCo, Nov 13, 2009
    Interesting. Oil level is good, but it's about time to change. I'll give it a try. Thanks.
     
  16. nabeshin

    nabeshin New Member

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    #17 nabeshin, Nov 14, 2009
    Did you get a chance to change it? Did it work?
     
  17. GeorgeCo

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    #18 GeorgeCo, Nov 15, 2009
    Changed the oil today. Ran car on ramps afterwards to check for leaks. Once good and warm, PS fan kicks on: woo-hoo, hoo-hoo. Turned off the car, turned key so the fan came on. That's it.
     
  18. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #19 ScottinBend, Nov 15, 2009
    :Thumbsup:
     
  19. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #20 Steve, Nov 15, 2009
    So...the bearings are going out? Time for a new fan?
     
  20. imspencerwithanr53

    imspencerwithanr53 New Member

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    #21 imspencerwithanr53, Nov 18, 2009
    Update?
     
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