Wierd noises from front of car

[lilblue332]

It was just after I filled my tank up with gas that my check engine light came on. I do realize that error message came up possibly due to the gas cap. Then two days later I got my car washed at the car wash. They had to put a 2 x 4 down so my Mini could go through the car wash. After that car wash, my car started to make thumping noises. Just idle sitting it would make these intermittent thumping noises. They are coming from the front, sounds like the passenger side. Now the idle is horrible and noise changed from thumping to popping noises, sometimes like your shaking keys in a jar. What the heck is going on? I never had any problems before. Any ideas? Of course my warranty is expired. We would like to diagnois the problem ourselves. HELP!

[tgalatis]

Did you buy the vehicle new? Have any mods been done on the vehicle? Maybe something came loose?
I am a new 2008 mini cooper s convertible owner, and am new to this forum. wish i could help.