2008 R55 Cooper S - strange engine noise doing my head in!
Discussion
Hey all,
Long time lurker on PH and thought I'd post a topic to see if anyone else has experienced a similar problem to what I'm having with my clubman. Apologies for the long post.
I've had a look through posts in this sub-forum right back to Sept / Oct last year and the search function brings up nothing similar either so apologies if it's been covered already.
Basically I've had the aforementioned 08 plate R55 Clubman Cooper S since Jan 13, I've done about 11/12k in this time taking it's total mileage to around 65k, it's has the tlc xl package, so has only been serviced at MINI throughout its life to the best of my knowledge. I genuinely love pretty much all aspects of it, the one thing which really spoils my enjoyment of it is the whining noise of the engine. I've done a lot of internet investigation but can't seem to find anything similar. It's not timing chain death rattle (luckily enough) and I've had the timing chain tensioner replaced in Jan 14 at MINI as a precautionary measure.
To be honest, this post could be pointless as it's quite a hard noise to describe, also I have tried (and subsequently failed) to video it whilst the car is being driven but the road noise / exhaust note seems to drown out all evidence. The only way I can describe it is that the engine whines through the revs, it's most noticeable on acceleration between 2-3k and also when you lift off, but I'd imagine as this is when the exhaust is at it's quietest - it's not like a supercharger whine or a diff / gearbox type whine but it's definitely related to the engine speed, I'd describe it as a rotational type whine more than anything but I'm not sure if that makes sense. Any videos I can find on YouTube regarding R55 / R56 engine noises seem to be about death rattle, noisy timing chains or injector 'ticking' noises. The car uses a fair amount of oil but i keep on top of it and regularly check / top up as needed.
When the car was in at MINI for the tensioner replacement, I asked them to do a general check over of the condition of the engine, this was supposed to include removing the rocker cover to check for carbon build up and measuring the chain to check for stretch etc. however I'm pretty sure this wasn't done as the receptionist who booked the car in wasn't there on the day so when I went to collect it nobody knew anything about the extra work required. I've been meaning to rebook but ironically it completely slipped my mind until writing this post.
Anyway enough rambling, hopefully somebody somewhere will have had this and / or have heard of it as all my investigation seems to be drawing blanks unfortunately. May just be a case of turning the stereo up louder to drown it out I suppose?
Finally apologies for the poor formatting / punctuation, the latest iOS update has absolutely ruined autocorrect and makes typing this kind of post a nightmare!
Cheers in advance
Tony
Long time lurker on PH and thought I'd post a topic to see if anyone else has experienced a similar problem to what I'm having with my clubman. Apologies for the long post.
I've had a look through posts in this sub-forum right back to Sept / Oct last year and the search function brings up nothing similar either so apologies if it's been covered already.
Basically I've had the aforementioned 08 plate R55 Clubman Cooper S since Jan 13, I've done about 11/12k in this time taking it's total mileage to around 65k, it's has the tlc xl package, so has only been serviced at MINI throughout its life to the best of my knowledge. I genuinely love pretty much all aspects of it, the one thing which really spoils my enjoyment of it is the whining noise of the engine. I've done a lot of internet investigation but can't seem to find anything similar. It's not timing chain death rattle (luckily enough) and I've had the timing chain tensioner replaced in Jan 14 at MINI as a precautionary measure.
To be honest, this post could be pointless as it's quite a hard noise to describe, also I have tried (and subsequently failed) to video it whilst the car is being driven but the road noise / exhaust note seems to drown out all evidence. The only way I can describe it is that the engine whines through the revs, it's most noticeable on acceleration between 2-3k and also when you lift off, but I'd imagine as this is when the exhaust is at it's quietest - it's not like a supercharger whine or a diff / gearbox type whine but it's definitely related to the engine speed, I'd describe it as a rotational type whine more than anything but I'm not sure if that makes sense. Any videos I can find on YouTube regarding R55 / R56 engine noises seem to be about death rattle, noisy timing chains or injector 'ticking' noises. The car uses a fair amount of oil but i keep on top of it and regularly check / top up as needed.
When the car was in at MINI for the tensioner replacement, I asked them to do a general check over of the condition of the engine, this was supposed to include removing the rocker cover to check for carbon build up and measuring the chain to check for stretch etc. however I'm pretty sure this wasn't done as the receptionist who booked the car in wasn't there on the day so when I went to collect it nobody knew anything about the extra work required. I've been meaning to rebook but ironically it completely slipped my mind until writing this post.
Anyway enough rambling, hopefully somebody somewhere will have had this and / or have heard of it as all my investigation seems to be drawing blanks unfortunately. May just be a case of turning the stereo up louder to drown it out I suppose?
Finally apologies for the poor formatting / punctuation, the latest iOS update has absolutely ruined autocorrect and makes typing this kind of post a nightmare!
Cheers in advance
Tony
Edited by TonyTucker on Tuesday 4th March 17:07
'07 R56 MCS owner here.
Mine has 72k on the clock and makes a faint whine, but I just put that down to the engine character rather than a possible engine issue. My friend has an identical car to mine but with 20k on the clock, and his sounds just like mine, so I don't think it's anything to worry about.
If you're ever in the Oxfordshire area you could always have a listen to mine, if you wish.
Mine has 72k on the clock and makes a faint whine, but I just put that down to the engine character rather than a possible engine issue. My friend has an identical car to mine but with 20k on the clock, and his sounds just like mine, so I don't think it's anything to worry about.
If you're ever in the Oxfordshire area you could always have a listen to mine, if you wish.
FUBMW said:
'07 R56 MCS owner here.
Mine has 72k on the clock and makes a faint whine, but I just put that down to the engine character rather than a possible engine issue. My friend has an identical car to mine but with 20k on the clock, and his sounds just like mine, so I don't think it's anything to worry about.
If you're ever in the Oxfordshire area you could always have a listen to mine, if you wish.
My GF's R55 Cooper S is also making a noise similar to what you describeMine has 72k on the clock and makes a faint whine, but I just put that down to the engine character rather than a possible engine issue. My friend has an identical car to mine but with 20k on the clock, and his sounds just like mine, so I don't think it's anything to worry about.
If you're ever in the Oxfordshire area you could always have a listen to mine, if you wish.
Camchains whine in operation, so depending on how loud your noise is but it could very well be normal, mine does it and as suggested it might be good to listen to other engines to compare, just one thing though, can you hear the noise when just revving at standstill and not moving? as that would rule out the Diff and wheel bearings for sure.
As to another point you mentioned regarding coking up, and removing the rocker cover to check, its the inlet manifold that needs removing, you won't be able to tell by taking the rocker cover off.
As to another point you mentioned regarding coking up, and removing the rocker cover to check, its the inlet manifold that needs removing, you won't be able to tell by taking the rocker cover off.
Many thanks for the replies folks,
The car makes the same noises standing still revving as it does whilst moving, which rules out any bearings / diff etc. I'm glad there are others which have similar noises as I've made a point of listening to other Cooper S's as and when I get the chance and hadn't heard any which sound like mine, hence the initial worry - most recent was yesterday as an 08 jcw passed me whilst I was walking but it didn't sound anywhere near as whiney, so I thought I'd post.
Rigga, apologies about the rocker cover / inlet manifold confusion - when I booked the car in at MINI and requested the check over as an addition, the receptionist informed me it was the rocker cover they remove, I may get the cam chains checked at it's next service as it certainly isn't a faint whine, it's by far the most predominate sound of the engine even when coasting along.
Thanks for the offer of having a listen to your car FUBMW but I'm in Scotland so it's a bit out the way.
The car makes the same noises standing still revving as it does whilst moving, which rules out any bearings / diff etc. I'm glad there are others which have similar noises as I've made a point of listening to other Cooper S's as and when I get the chance and hadn't heard any which sound like mine, hence the initial worry - most recent was yesterday as an 08 jcw passed me whilst I was walking but it didn't sound anywhere near as whiney, so I thought I'd post.
Rigga, apologies about the rocker cover / inlet manifold confusion - when I booked the car in at MINI and requested the check over as an addition, the receptionist informed me it was the rocker cover they remove, I may get the cam chains checked at it's next service as it certainly isn't a faint whine, it's by far the most predominate sound of the engine even when coasting along.
Thanks for the offer of having a listen to your car FUBMW but I'm in Scotland so it's a bit out the way.
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