'05 JCW Cooper S - Sounds like a diesel?

[JamesTeehan]

Hi Guys,

Just after a bit of advice. Had my JCW a couple of months now, and I keep getting a strange noise from the Engine.

The best way I can describe it, is that it sounds like a diesel from outside the car, and from in the cab it sounds (again best way I can describe it) just like a bicycle freewheeling, a sort of ticking sound.

The sound does come and go... at first it did it for a day or 2 max, and came and went once or twice. But then a couple of weeks ago, it started and stayed for around 5 days. During this time, I noticed that the oil had dropped quite low (though no oil light came on). I topped it up and the noise remained for about 2 days. I didn't drive it much, but after about 100 miles the noise stopped again.

The noise started again yesterday and it appears to be louder than ever now. I checked the oil level again, which is absolutely fine.

Anybody got any ideas what it could be?

It is actually under the garage warranty until the end of december, but everytime I plan to take it in, the noise stops and of course I can't take it in if its not making the noise.

Thanks in advance guys... really appreciate your help!

[marque]

Hi

It could be a few things but get the cam chain checked and also the driveshaft and support bearing on the off side
I had similar it turned out to be the drive shaft support bearing

[JayBee]

If the ticking doesn't speed up when you rev the engine slightly it's something to do with the aircon compressor and completely normal.

The injectors also make a ticking noise, though you shouldn't be able to hear that when inside the car.

The Cooper S/JCW do not have the most pleasant sounding engines when idling, but then modern direct injection petrol engines have more in common with diesels nowdays.

So although it might sound like bag of bolts at idle, it kinda comes together when you put your foot down

Duh! Just realized you don't have a R56

[Dan1978]

Checked your oil? Mine started sounding like that. Turned out it was 2 litres short of oil - and I check regularly. It seems to be mysteriously using a litre every 300 miles...but that's another story for another thread.