Engine noise when cold

[Pglenning]

Hello,

For the last year when my MINI's engine is cold on start up the engine make a noise like a whistle. This morning I opened the bonnet before starting it so i can see/hear were the noise is coming from. It looks like the noise is coming from the pre-tension area and belt. Now I did have the pre-tensioner replaced a few years ago and it was fine. I have sprayed some 3 in 1 oil on it this morning and noise went. But I this afternoon after the engine has cooled it has come back

Any ideas

[MiniBimmer]

Hello
I have the same problem.
The Dealer change de Tensor and the belt... the noise remained when the car it´s cold... my dealer said it is normal, because when the car is cold the alternator need more power... I think that it was he explained me.

Best Regards

[ScottyBoy]

ive got the same problem, when i took it in for a health check they also checked this

apperently there is an uprated belt, i got this check done at Ballymena BMW in ireland and they told me they contacted a company called puma and it would cost around £90 for the belt and labour

i dont think the belt is that expensive so i decided to not go ahead with it as i was just gunna buy the belt and get another competent garage to fit it with less labour charge but i havent got around to it sorry!

thats my pennys worth

[drivinginstructor001]

I had the same noise from the alternator belt on my 05 cooper, I spayed WD40 onto the belt and the noise stopped for that day but came back the next morning, so I carried on spraying the belt every morning for about seven days and bingo no more noise, used two cans of WD40 but saved a trip to the dealer.

[faster,Tobias!]

Mine squeals like there is a squirrel caught in the fan - tensioner is leaking fluid and thus not keeping the belt tight enough. I am waiting for the new part to come in, so I can't say yet if that will fix it.

[herbie hind]

stuff makes noise when cold. rattles for example are more frequent when cold out. friction will quickly warm stuff up to allow the inherent lubricant to do it's job . then the noide deminishes. it's a machine;and cheap at that. now if a rolse made some noise i'd be ******ed!!

[Golowys]

Just to add to this thread

My 05 works MCS is also making screeching noise when cold

This seems to come from the accessory belt area

Been into dealer today, who is going to replace belt and tensioner

I gave them details of reports on here and an avi video file I took of the noise which they say made things a lot easier

Time will tell whether permanent fix

[*Vikki*]

i have had same prob lately as well, but not in warrentry so it will have to stay like it