My wife got home with the mini tonight and it was making a god awful noise. Kinda a grind from the engine. I added a quart of oil but that did not help (it did need a little). Anyone got any ideas.

80,000 mile 05 MCS.

 

Might want to chk supercharger oil..

 

First identify where the sound is coming from by carefully putting a bit of hose tubing up to one hear and holding the other end close to various parts of the engine. Then do the same with a long pry bar or super long screwdriver, touching various parts of the engine. Obviously, don't touch moving parts. You'll be able to narrow down where the sound is coming from which will be a start. Report back.

 

In addition to trying the hose trick, you can also get a mechanic's stethoscope. Take the end and place it against different areas around the engine. The point with the loudest sound is the source. If you cannot get one (or don't have one), you can also use a long screwdriver. Place your ear against the handle.

 

All good advice above. My bet is also on the supercharger going out.

 

Here is a youtube video;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_QIUm8zC0I

If it's a similar noise, that s the supercharger :(
Just got mine swapped.

 

was the car low on oil? did it need a Qt? Did it need more?

what concerns me here is that the qt supposedly help here

 

The Mini won't make terrible noise when it's low on oil, much lower then 1qt down. Ask me how I know...

 

how do you know?

 

Yes, inquiring minds want to know. How?