Yesterday my wife came home saying her 2003 1.6 Cooper was making a noise, I took it for a spin and here are the symptoms. No noise when car at idle, Nothing when the car is accelerating, however when you come of the gas theres a kind of whirring noise which sounds like its coming from front passenger side as the car slows, It goes away if you dip the clutch. Any ideas would be appreciated.
So its on deceleration?
It must be to do with the engine movement, accelerating the engine will twist one way and then when decelerating, under engine braking, it will tend to twist in the opposite direction on its mountings, dipping the clutch will remove engine braking effect and cause the engine to attain its normal upright position as if it was idling.
Something must just be clearing a rotating part normally but be close enough to touch when the engine flexes on its mounting in one direction only, it could be many things but could be a heat shield perhaps loose or moved or something dropped out of a clip of its normal position and fouling?
It needs a bit of looking and seeing if you can see anything around the drive shafts or anything else rotating in that area, that looks a bit close of has signs of rubbing.
But dont forget sound travels around a car and what sounds like the nearside could in fact be the other side or even the rear?
Hi,
Just to update, It is also doing it whilst accelerating and it is speed/rev dependant, The sound is like a piece of plastic hitting the spoke of a wheel as it turns, No noise at idle. Sound completely disappears when clutch is in.
Thanks
Road speed dependent or engine speed dependent, in other words if youre going along at 30 mph in 4th gear and its making the noise and then keep the same road speed but change down to 3rd and the noise quickens then its engine related rather than something fouling up on say a drive shaft, wheel or suspension?
Agree!..............Anything backwards of the First motion shaft of the Gearbox could be an issue though! I have heard Dual Mass Flywheels do the same thing (DMF)! Also First motion / Input shaft Bearings can slip and rumble in there casing!!! If at idle also with clutch out, and increases with engine speed revs....(increase slowly with throttle), could be the BMW MINI Harmonic Oscillation Syndrome!!!......Out of balance at certain Revs and Engine Loads.........Crank Pulley Damper, DMF, Clutch. Check the Crank Pulley for cracking, wobbling, and rubber residue first!
Hi,
Just to update, I apologise for not being clearer, It was with engine rpm as opposed to speed that the sound increased decreased with, Anyway my mechanic who I really trust took the car away yesterday and called me this morning saying that the box is on its way out, He said that there was also a whining coming in 5th gear.
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