1st Gen R53 Cooper S Is this sound normal?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Deech21, Feb 27, 2012.

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  1. Deech21

    Deech21 New Member

    Feb 16, 2012
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    I'm just happy it didn't need work, although I thought it was the gas from the beginning
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I hope it was the gas, but I'm somewhat skeptical. I've heard bad gas make pinging sounds, but not at idle only under load. I wish you continued good luck. :fingerscrossed:
     
  3. Deech21

    Deech21 New Member

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    well lower octane gas in an engine that requires premium can cause a sort of knocking sound.
     
  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Yes you are correct, but like I said it has been my experience that it does so at load not at idle. Keep an eye & ear out for odd stuff. Good luck..... :fingerscrossed:
     
  5. Deech21

    Deech21 New Member

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    Sounds back again, going to take it in this week.
     
  6. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    Bummer! I thought you had appt for this past Tuesday?
     
  7. Deech21

    Deech21 New Member

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    I did, stupid me cancelled it when the sound went away.
     
  8. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    Oh well live n learn.....
     
  9. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    Intersting. With a TMIC and the S/C going I would think the lifter noise would be muffled and/or drowned out. I know that I hear the valvetrain on my R56 when it's running. It's always been that way. I assumed it had to do with the OHC set-up.

    Had I heard that on one of my OHV cars that would mean low oil and the problems that go with that.
     
  10. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

    Jun 24, 2009
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    No, you can hear the lifters plain as day at idle. I hear them on all the SC MINIs I'm around.
     
  11. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I don't think my R53 makes much lifer noise at all. Wonder if it is the belt tensioner. Get a piece of hose & hold one end to your ear & the other at different areas of the engine to help isolate the sound. Please be careful around a running engine.
     
  12. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

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    I've had the tensioner replaced and it made/makes the same noise before and after. It was replaced due to it leaking, not noise.
    I've had several mechanics and MINI friends listen/drive my car and they said it sounds perfect.

    That's all I got :cornut:
     
  13. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    It might be a case of young ears versus old ears, kinda thing going on here....

    I carry a set of these around with me, they are quite handy in locating those hard to diagnose engine sounds...
    Yep, just got my hair cut...
    [​IMG]

    Then I switch to these when I'm driving the MINI....:D
    [​IMG]
     
  14. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #34 Crashton, Mar 10, 2012
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2012
    :lol: Hey Chuck can you wear those on donut day? :donut1:
     
  15. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Alas NO.... Unfortunately they would interfere with one of the objectives for that very special morning......:D
     
  16. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Don't want to hear us yammering on about donuts coffee & where we drive for lunch? :p
     
  17. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
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    Maybe we should get one for Justa Jim and then he could be in half the conversation from remote PA.
     
  18. Deech21

    Deech21 New Member

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    Here's a little bit of an update. Took the car in this past friday to Prestige MINI in Ramsey and they came up with a whole list of issues that the dealer forgot to mention (supposedly they did the 60k maintenance, apparently not.) 3,000$ worth of work. Warranty covers about 600. I can't do it all right now, just going to take care of the major items. The ticking was caused by a bad oil pan seal ( never saw dripping or a puddle because oil was so low.) There is also the crank seal that's bad, domed strut tops, right side muffler hanger is rusted, both control arm bushings are cracked as well as the intake power steering hose leaking and the rear brakes being in need of replacement.

    I was told by the dealer that the brakes were all new as well as no leaks. I spent most of the day on the phone with them trying to see what they would do about it. Their solution was to either buy-back the car or I take care of the repairs. Now the thing with that is I would not get taxes or the money I spent for the warranty with them back. So I did not sell the car back. I love it too much and I didn't want them to do this to someone else if I were to do that.

    So that's my update.
     
  19. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

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    That sucks..... And I feel your pain.

    I was told by MINI of Allentown that the only thing that my car needed was new tires (which they put on but that was a fight but another story).

    I found a lot of things that the car needed.... about 3k later I've just about fixed everything, so I am with you there.

    I don't mind... I love the car and now I've done everything to get it mechanically sound. Some of the money was spent on fixing some cosmetic issues as well. I never tried dealing with the dealership. My experience with them was so bad they will never touch my car.

    Good luck with the repairs! :Thumbsup:
     
  20. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    Are you saying the ticking is from lack of oil? That's not good, no oil pan gasket or crank seal will correct the damage.
     

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