I'm close to finishing all the jobs on my to-do list to get this mini roadworthy.
It's running sweet except for the high pitched whine. I've asked about this problem on this forum before and people said it's normal for minis and that the engine noise will drown it out. It doesn't.

I met up with Lynda and Damien (AKA 'Beefa') from Cobram a couple of weeks ago and they took me for spin in their Deluxe "Junior", it was quiet so I no there is a problem. I'm thinking it could be in the diff considering it happens in every gear and I have heard diff whine in other cars and it sounds similar. I know it's normal in 1st gear but I have driven it to about 80kph up my road (naughty me), it stops when I back off but does it in every gear under load. I've tried Morey's oil additive but it made no difference.

Any ideas?

I know that straight cut gears wine. Reverse is a straight cut gear so that would be a good referance for noise i guess. is it possible that you have a straight cut box?

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One Lill-Red 1100
A project morris van
One rusty assed delux shell
and a clubby van

Everything about this car is stock standard, but I guess anything is possible.
I have only had the car 6 months and it hasn't been on the road for about 6 years.

Could it whine from lack of use?

I meant 'OFF' the road for about 6 years.

give it some cheese.....

I reckon you're right about the diff... doesn't happen in neutral does it? cos then it'd be the primary or idler gear...

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

That i don't know sorry.
I guess check the oil and hope that someone with a little more knowlage than me lends an idea or two.
Good luck with it. It's always good to see mini's getting back on the road.

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One Lill-Red 1100
A project morris van
One rusty assed delux shell
and a clubby van

If it's WINE drink it

If it's WHINE it's a pommy

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Keep shiny side up

"it stops when I back off but does it in every gear under load"

Yep, I'd say diff. If you're not in a huury I'll try and find a knock detector I made. It basically is a very small microphone that you can attach to where ever you want and then an electronic kit with some filters and headphones. You attach it to the diff and and you'll know straight away if that's where the noise is. The company I work for has a sister company in Benalla so I can get it there for you, it's finding the damn thing that's the problem.

smithy

close

Whining on backoff is more likely mismatched primary and idler gears. We've got one like this too.
Is it engine speed related, ie does it sound same at say 3000 rpm in all gears on overrun? If so it's the primary gear/idler, not the diff.
If it's road speed related, it's the diff.

BTW shimming the Mini diff does not really affect the gear meshing, they are helical.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

DrMini - It stops when I back off it whines when accelerating. It increases with speed.

Smithy - Thanks for the offer I'd be happy to try out your gizmo if you can find it. Will there be some kind of knocking associated with the whine?

skssgn - What kinda cheese? No it doesn't whine in neutral.

"Will there be some kind of knocking associated with the whine? "

Can't in all honesty answer that

The reference I made to a knock detector was because I made it to detect the onset of pre-ignition (knocking or pinging) Pretty well most cars with plastic brains these days have a knock sensor which then tells the ignition to retard (or someting like that. Dozens will write in and explain where I'm wrong but that's the simple answer) Cos my Mini dosesn't have one I made my own. It detects the sound well before I could without it and well before it gets to the China Syndrome stage but I have to manually make any adjustments required. Thing is you can move the pick up around and attach it to different bits to hear whats happening. Kinda like a technically advanced, electronic mechanic's stethoscope but you can use it while you drive. You can listen to the oil going through the filter if that grabs you. It's got about 15 foot of lead so I can use the electronic filter and earphones while driving. Makes a change from listening to ABBA.

Cheers,

smithy

My mini's still whining, a few of us are thinking it's the diff.
Has anyone had a whining diff before and if so how did you do to fix it?
Does the diff come off the gearbox while still in the car or is it engine out?

More clues would be much appreciated.

sounds serious,
take the gearbox apart, replace layshaft, diff bearings etc, drop gear bearings

complete gearbox rebuild will cost up to $1200

Just use the old second hand car dealer trick and put a banana peel in it.