Whining noise from my R60 Mini Countryman Cooper S

So the Mini started making this high pitched whining noise. I initially thought it was the tensioner but turned out to be the PCV diaphragm. I also changed the vanos solenoid thinking there was a related fault but turned out to be something else!

[@balagozanis1321]

Thanks for the post sir, much appreciated

[@vincentjohnston8789]

Thanks for posting! I have had an annoying whistling sound coming from my Mini One and I'm hoping its this pcv that just needs replacing. There's another video online which also indicates the noise could be coming from the Idler Pulley but I'd need a mechanic to replace that. I'll start by checking the pcv first.

[@houseofcars6998]

Pcv is cheap and easy to replace but tbh i checked the idler too which is quite easy. If you remove the belt and start the car and the noise is still there then yeah its your pcv

[@vincentjohnston8789]

@@houseofcars6998 thanks for that - my whistling problem is intermittent - sometimes days will go by and there's no noise, and it doesn't matter whether I'm doing 30mph or 60mph, the same noise is there

[@houseofcars6998]

@@vincentjohnston8789 mine started off the same tbh. But it progressed to being constant within a day or so. Might be the belt if not.

[@marcelovalenzuela2377]

Es el pcv el mío tenía el mismo sonido y se solución cambiando el pcv

[@allenreid9060]

Exactly what mine’s doing

[@hunkim4327]

Thank you. I have the same issue and plan on buying a PCV valve cover. Crossing fingers. Did you buy replacement from Mini Parts or Online? Cost?

[@houseofcars6998]

Hi no it was just from ebay. Theres loads of crap ones but check for the ones with good reviews and a guarantee. I cant remember how much it was but it wasnt expensive at all

[@michaelduffy2997]

I'm late to the party. But that looks like the pcv diaphragm is torn. You can replace just the diaphragm without having to buy a whole new valve cover.

[@houseofcars6998]

Thanks pal it was pcv diaphragm but turned out to have more issues in addition to this. Appreciate it anyways

[@jimelliott5824]

I have similar issue, with the whistling. I removed the oil filler cap and engine went to a rough idle. I then took off the PCV valve cover and the gasket broke as I was taking it out of the cover. The problem I'm having is I can't find the gasket or the cover anywhere. Where did you find the gasket? Dealer said I would have to buy the valve cover.

[@houseofcars6998]

This is the diaphragm is that what you mean? www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ENGINE-VALVE-COVER-PCV-DIAPHRAGM-MEMBRANE-FITS-BMW-SERIES-1-3-MINI-COOPER-/174499314258?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0
I would personally change the whole valve cover I got mine from ebay with a guarantee and its running fine

[@LuisNY]

"turned out to be something else!"
What else was it?... what was causing the high vacuum on the crankcase? I have the same issue... including problems with the vanos...

[@houseofcars6998]

It was 2 issues. Vaccum was caused by the rocker cover. Both the pcv diaphragms were gone and the eml was my coil pcks

[@LuisNY]

@@houseofcars6998 thanks!

[@klinctaf]

It’s pcv valve Cap on left side of cam cover

[@Kochisarazim]

hi i have same problem with my car 2012 1.6 s all4 i have changed vanos selonoid valve but it still make same noise. how can you fixed?

[@houseofcars6998]

Replaced the pcv diaphragm membrane buddy

[@Kochisarazim]

@@houseofcars6998thank you soo much the problem is solved..

[@janaidghuman1210]

I have very similar issues, I just bought for cheap and would love one advice

[@houseofcars6998]

Yeah sure ask away?

[@Unknown-jw4gj]

I have the same car like that and it does the same thing like yours doing. I thought it was a belt issue so it’s not.

[@houseofcars6998]

Yeah i thought the same tbh was going to change water pump but nope its the diaphragm

[@Unknown-jw4gj]

But do you know what cause it to do that sound?

[@houseofcars6998]

@@Unknown-jw4gj the diaphragm will have a small hole on it. Due to the high pressure leaking out from there it will do this. Its like blowing through a whistle

[@Unknown-jw4gj]

I feel like I need to fix a lot of things with my mini. It runs very good but it’s old and probably needs new engine parts like a new turbo and a little more power to feel like a sports car

[@Unknown-jw4gj]

@@houseofcars6998 but thanks for explaining everything and I’m so glad I found this video! Thank you

[@iissac22]

Yeah suction on cap and noise pcv failure.

[@JesusGarcia-tp3py]

You need change your valve pcv

[@houseofcars6998]

All done then my g

[@Ch13f_Ch1mp]

PCV failed?

[@houseofcars6998]

Yup that was part of the issue