Noises in Mini

[rj1986]

Hi All,

SO my GF has a 55 reg mini one, petrol.
We went out last night and she drove.

I noticed a couple of odd noises, and wasn't sure if they are common. She says she's had it from day 1. Car was bought from a mini specialist 6 months ago. Both noises were occurring at various speeds, gears etc.

1- Near side foot well, got a strange "flob-a-dob" noise every so often. Wasn't sure if the wheel lining was loose, but sounded very hollow.
2- after turning the engine on, after about 20seconds, you get a high pitch whine, going down in steps, before going to the top note again. Comes and goes whilst driving.
I thought it was alternator hum at first, but does it on idle and different revs.

Any ideas?

If needed i can record it and bung it on youtube.

Ta

[dapearson]

rj1986 said:

Hi All,

SO my GF has a 55 reg mini one, petrol.
We went out last night and she drove.

I noticed a couple of odd noises, and wasn't sure if they are common. She says she's had it from day 1. Car was bought from a mini specialist 6 months ago. Both noises were occurring at various speeds, gears etc.

1- Near side foot well, got a strange "flob-a-dob" noise every so often. Wasn't sure if the wheel lining was loose, but sounded very hollow.
2- after turning the engine on, after about 20seconds, you get a high pitch whine, going down in steps, before going to the top note again. Comes and goes whilst driving.
I thought it was alternator hum at first, but does it on idle and different revs.

Any ideas?

If needed i can record it and bung it on youtube.

Ta

Don't have much experience of minis (yet - just put deposit on 57 plate clubman), but could the 2nd item be down to the electric steering?

[rj1986]

I did think it was the Power steering, but it makes a slightly different noise when on full lock (as did both the BMW's i had).
Its only got 20k on the clock, so i wouldn't think its anything too serious like a water or Power Steering pump dying a noisy death.

[eybic]

afaik the older MINI's all have whining power steering.

[Dr Interceptor]

dapearson said:

Don't have much experience of minis (yet - just put deposit on 57 plate clubman), but could the 2nd item be down to the electric steering?

55 Plate MINIs (as per the OPs post) do not have electric steering - the power steering is hydraulic, and they ALL whine. Electric steering was introduced on the 2nd gen cars.

OP, the steering pump is most likely the noise that you can here.

The FOB-a-DOB noise needs more information

[helix402]

R50/R52/R53s etc have electric power steering.

[Dr Interceptor]

helix402 said:

R50/R52/R53s etc have electric power steering.

It is hydraulic and uses the same hydraulic technology as old fashioned standard systems, but the hydraulic pressure comes from a pump driven by an electric motor instead of a drive belt at the engine.

Full Electric Power Steering does not involve the use of a hydraulic pump.

[helix402]

I stand corrected, the system is called EHPS, electro hydraulic power steering.

[DarkMatter]

rj1986 said:

1- Near side foot well, got a strange "flob-a-dob" noise every so often. Wasn't sure if the wheel lining was loose, but sounded very hollow.

Could be the tyres, especially if they are a few years old. We have a noisy one on our '55 plate Cooper. It has quite a lot of trad left but I'll probably change it soon anyway.

rj1986 said:

2- after turning the engine on, after about 20seconds, you get a high pitch whine, going down in steps, before going to the top note again. Comes and goes whilst driving.

Could be the cooling fan? Ours can often be heard going on an off, most noticeable in traffic or when at a standstill.

[rj1986]

The tyres are quite old (age wise) but good tread on them, and a run flat, so might just be a combo of everything.

2nd noise- if you guys think it's not a problem, then that'll do me.

[simoid]

rj1986 said:

The tyres are quite old (age wise) but good tread on them, and a run flat, so might just be a combo of everything.

2nd noise- if you guys think it's not a problem, then that'll do me.

Not a problem, but ask to keep an eye on it at service time.

Our ex-Mini One (03 plate) had what I think was the power steering pump replaced in 2008 when it became excessively whiney. Only unexpected thing that actually needed replacing

[Defcon5]

rj1986 said:

Its only got 20k on the clock, so i wouldn't think its anything too serious like a Power Steering pump dying a noisy death.

You have much to learn my child