Hello everyone,
Lately I've noticed a strange whirling noise after I shut down my MINI. I'm used to hearing the oil pump (I think that's what ran to cool the turbo) and remember it constant until it quit. Today, however, I noticed this same noise, but it was intermittent, and didn't sound normal (not to me anyways).

Luckily, I was able to catch it on video. You'll have to turn up your volume just a bit to hear it (promise no scare surprise )



Any ideas if that's normal? If not, what do you guys think is going on?

EDIT: Also, I've noticed a slight whirling noise when engine RPM is around ~2k or so. Related?

 

When you shut your engine off, there is an auxiliary water pump that runs to help cool the turbo down. In some ways it sounds like that pump is running, but poorly - as though the bearing were failing, and the motor is now struggling to turn the pump.

The cooling fan for my after market amplifier makes a similar sound until it warms up...

Do you hear the coolant pump operate at all?
E.

 

My recording was right after engine shut down. I'm just wondering if it's normal, or if there's a problem as you say.

Wish someone could make a recording of there's after a hot engine shutdown.

 

That stuttering did not sound normal.

 

Sheeeet! Do you think it's the aux water pump going then?

 

IT sounds like its turning on and off.. that or its a cooling fan stuck.. I'm not sure.. you could feel around (safely) for the aux pump to see if its vibrating as it does it..

 

So which side of the car should the aux water pump be on? I thought it was the passenger side, but after hearing the noise today, it's clearly coming from the driver's side. Is there something else?

 

you had your camera pointed at a tube that goes to the turbo. take a flashlight and look directly under it and you will see a little black thing about 2x2, surrounded by wires. that is the aux pump for coolant to the turbo. it will run after vehicle shut off. if you have doubts, reach down and grab it, it should be vibrating along with the noise you hear. DO NOT BURN YOURSELF ON A HOT TURBO. if you have doubts, bring it in , its under warranty we will look at it no prob. feel free to ask a tech.

 

Should probably mention my car has 51k miles on it. No more warranty for me.

 

Im sure its fine unless the noise is super loud, it sounds like its just running. they sell warranty extensions worth every penny