Our 2014 Mini Countryman S has developed a high pitch whine, sorta like a whistle, that changes frequency a little, during idle.

This is in addition to the loud tap-tap-tap-tap that is pretty much a constant sound at idle.

Any reason to worry? What is the whine/whistle coming from?

 

Just checked it out even closer... opened the hood.... it's definitely a whistle, not a whine... very high frequency... kind of comes and goes depending on where you tilt your head... heh.

 

I removed the oil cap while the engine was idling, and the sound does not go away. So that pretty much means the whistle is not coming from any part of the crankcase ventilation system.

Have a feeling it may simply be the high-pressure fuel injectors. But want to be sure it's a "normal" sound, as the mini is brand new and has about 400 miles on it.

 

The tapping sound is normal, that is the direct fuel injection. The whistle? Not sure.

 

Could it be the turbocharger that's whistling? When the car is at idle, there's a high-pitch whistle. Soon as you give it gas/go above idle, the whistle disappears. Lay off the gas pedal, soon as engine goes back to idle speed, there's that whistle again. It's very high-pitched and constant in tone... does not waver or modulate.

My wife's bringing it in to the dealer on Wednesday evening for them to check it out. Will let you know what they say...

 

I noticed a faint and high-pitched sound with my car at idle and when pressing on the brakes. Though with mine it was more of a chirping noise rather than a constant whistle. Of course, I could not get it to happen when I took the car in for the first servicing.

 

Dealer diagnosed the issue:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...he-dealer.html

Hoping they are right and the sound goes away once they install the new valve cover...


Rock on,

-Joe

 

Thanks, I hope it fixes you issue. Keep us posted

 

Yep..have the same issue, on my 2012 CM S All4 (49k) Dealer says it's the cyclone separator (pcv type deal).
Really poor design, as it is incorporated into the valve cover & the fix (according to them), is replacing the valve cover. Quoted $850!! Geesh!!

 

Did you have a oil leak associated with this? I have oil coming out of the top section of the turbo pipe (towards the intake manifold). It would make sense for it to be eating oil if the separator is the problem. I have the whistle till it warms up.

 

Maybe post a video/sound bite of the issue even filmed on your phone so we can hear / see it. Move the phone around the motor as the sound is present so we can get a sense of location / intensity.

The blower itself doesn't / shouldn't make a discernible noise at idle. It does have the characteristic "whine" when you get on it > 3K RPM when it kicks in. Whatever you're hearing could very well be something else but close by. Also it might be helpful to know:
Is this a manual car or an automatic?
How many miles on the car and motor?
Is it closer to the front or rear of the engine / right side left side top bottom etc?
Rattle, grind, wop-wop-wop-wop, underlying vibration in your feet, none of the above?
Is it also present (and perhaps louder / more intense) at speed, and when you get on it? RPMs when present, or vanishes?

 

BTW, I discovered the cause of my whistle. It was the oil separator that is built into the valve cover. I replaced the valve cover and the leak and loud whistle went away. Hope this helps.

Also, anyone want a 2013 mini countryman? I am selling mine. It is in great shape. The only issue is that it needs the seals replaced on the oil cooler, it has a small leak there. Love the car, but I am not driving enough now to really justify having it. I am in the Dallas area.

Thanks

 

I have a similar sound coming from my 2011 Mini CMs. But, for me it seems like the sound is coming from either water pump or friction pulley. The sound comes when engine is warmed up and idling. Whistling noise will get intense when turning the steering wheel while idling. Also there is a weird noise when engine is turning off. Sounds like air bleeding from a small orifice. I have attached sound bites for both scenarios. Can anyone tell if I need to change a pulley or the valve cover?