Busted CVT options
#1
Busted CVT options
My R50 CVT went south. I put in a MCS 6-speed manual with a lightened flywheel. It's great. However, it occurs to me that the MCS Aisin autobox should also go in- anyone done this? It might take some fiddling, but it couldn't cost more than $7k-9k for another crappy CVT. Anyone?
#7
Trending Topics
#8
#9
I successfully swapped CVT for Getrag 6 Speed
This weekend I just did the swap in my 2003 Mini - I got rid of that boat anchor CVT and replaced it with a Getrag 6 speed. Everything is back together, but I have to address the electrical issues. I think that its going to require an ECM and Harness swap, but if that's it, it will have been an easy swap. I used a dual mass flywheel and a 14 tooth clutch/pressure plate. Transmission bolted right up. I also bought a new brake/clutch assembly - it bolts right in and the master cylinder is part of the assembly. Lines ran up the firewall behind the Brake Master Cylinder where a grommet was placed to cover up the hole. The Brake reservoir comes equipped to accept the fluid feed tube, just need to cut the end off. New Axles on both sides. New Shifter assembly and your ready to go - Now I need to figure out the electrical part - I have power at the dash and I have no start. There are two plugs that are no longer needed (pictured) and I imagine that the ECM is not allowing the starter to engage because it thinks that the transmissions is missing - Any thoughts??
#13
#14
Hi folks,
My daughters '03 w/CVT has developed a rough accelerate from a stop. After that, runs fine. I pulled a code mentioned 2-1 downshift. Mini dealer looked at it, recommend replacing - what a shock.
My daughter loves this car, it runs so great (less trans) now at 109K miles, never a major fail.
Has anyone any experience with www.minitransmission.com ?
Seems he rebuilds and ships.
Thanks all!
My daughters '03 w/CVT has developed a rough accelerate from a stop. After that, runs fine. I pulled a code mentioned 2-1 downshift. Mini dealer looked at it, recommend replacing - what a shock.
My daughter loves this car, it runs so great (less trans) now at 109K miles, never a major fail.
Has anyone any experience with www.minitransmission.com ?
Seems he rebuilds and ships.
Thanks all!
#15
My experience tells me that if you tell most dealers you're experiencing strange things with the CVT they jump to saying you will need a replacement far too quickly. It doesn't necessarily mean you need to replace it (yet...).
I've heard of strange shift behavior sometimes being solved by driving in sport mode for a while (a day or two or more even). It can reset the computer adaptions. There is also a way to do this manually, but it's relatively involved. If you do a search here and at Mini2, you should be able to find someone describing the process I think. I know I've run across it somewhere...
What exactly happens during the rough accelerate?
Another known issue that can be repaired without replacement is the main bearing failing - a problem which I think mine is slowly developing.
I've never run across minitransmission.com. Looks like they could be an option.
I've heard of strange shift behavior sometimes being solved by driving in sport mode for a while (a day or two or more even). It can reset the computer adaptions. There is also a way to do this manually, but it's relatively involved. If you do a search here and at Mini2, you should be able to find someone describing the process I think. I know I've run across it somewhere...
What exactly happens during the rough accelerate?
Another known issue that can be repaired without replacement is the main bearing failing - a problem which I think mine is slowly developing.
I've never run across minitransmission.com. Looks like they could be an option.
#16
Do you know of a company that will repair them? As far as I know, nobody will touch them and they have to be replaced as a unit. Also when they fail they tend to destroy the internals as well. That being said, if you know of a place willing to fix it cheap then please post it up.
Disregard, I guess I should have read the thread. It looks like a UK site is doing this.
Last edited by daflake; 09-29-2011 at 08:56 AM.
#17
Hey thanks gknorr, I have run across the reprogram procedure. At this point cant hurt. My daughter lives on campus and I have the car at my house, so I have time to troubleshoot/repair.
These are my observations.
The problem really doesn't arise until 10-15 minutes of driving
When it does, from a standing stop, trying to accelerate normally there are 2-3 seconds of a feeling of being restrained, almost seemed ignition or spark related. After that she accelerates normally and does so at varying speeds.
By using this method, I can almost negate the issue:
From a standing stop, let off the brake, let the trans engage and when car begins to roll on its own, lightly feather the gas, increasing pressure until she is accelerating normally.
I did notice some rust on the coil and split insulation on 1 spark plug wire. Also, I believe the plugs are original (my daughter used to be 450 miles away in another state, hard for me to maintain it from that distance)
I've been emailing with John Tee from minitransmissions.com. He sent me a quote but I didnt mention shipping to the US. He said he had another quote for export. Hoping that one looks as good as the first he sent.
These are my observations.
The problem really doesn't arise until 10-15 minutes of driving
When it does, from a standing stop, trying to accelerate normally there are 2-3 seconds of a feeling of being restrained, almost seemed ignition or spark related. After that she accelerates normally and does so at varying speeds.
By using this method, I can almost negate the issue:
From a standing stop, let off the brake, let the trans engage and when car begins to roll on its own, lightly feather the gas, increasing pressure until she is accelerating normally.
I did notice some rust on the coil and split insulation on 1 spark plug wire. Also, I believe the plugs are original (my daughter used to be 450 miles away in another state, hard for me to maintain it from that distance)
I've been emailing with John Tee from minitransmissions.com. He sent me a quote but I didnt mention shipping to the US. He said he had another quote for export. Hoping that one looks as good as the first he sent.
#18
I know this is an older post...
Do you know of a company that will repair them? As far as I know, nobody will touch them and they have to be replaced as a unit. Also when they fail they tend to destroy the internals as well. That being said, if you know of a place willing to fix it cheap then please post it up.
Do you know of a company that will repair them? As far as I know, nobody will touch them and they have to be replaced as a unit. Also when they fail they tend to destroy the internals as well. That being said, if you know of a place willing to fix it cheap then please post it up.
#19
Keep watch here my friend, as I will be working towards a successful fix, whatever it may be. This is my daughters car, she loves it, and we bought it at a good price about 2 yrs ago. It is in awesome shape and just needs some basic stuff right now (less the tranny prob)
#20
She didnt want a stick from the beginning so I believe thats not an option. Myself, I cant see why they even offer auto's in them. My '99 Ford Escort was a blast to drive with a stick!
#22
#23
My win-the-lotto-dream is to open a shop specializing in doing something with these CVT (and other) sad MINIs. It would be called "Just MINIs- Take Your "S" elsewhere" and I would specialize in mechanical basket cases and maybe some light body damaged units as well. Troll craigslist, autotrader or ebay- you can pick up a non-running for whatever reason MINI for under 5k most of the time. Maybe with repairs it would be a break even thing at most, but there would also be the joy of bringing a MINI back to life and the ability to sell a car you could stand behind at a reasonable price to somebody who otherwise couldn't afford one. Did I mention that winning the LOTTO would be a big part of this? Also, I'm just a shade tree mechanic and would probably need some help. But the hours would be much better than I have now.
Val
Val
#24
#25
My win-the-lotto-dream is to open a shop specializing in doing something with these CVT (and other) sad MINIs. It would be called "Just MINIs- Take Your "S" elsewhere" and I would specialize in mechanical basket cases and maybe some light body damaged units as well. Troll craigslist, autotrader or ebay- you can pick up a non-running for whatever reason MINI for under 5k most of the time. Maybe with repairs it would be a break even thing at most, but there would also be the joy of bringing a MINI back to life and the ability to sell a car you could stand behind at a reasonable price to somebody who otherwise couldn't afford one. Did I mention that winning the LOTTO would be a big part of this? Also, I'm just a shade tree mechanic and would probably need some help. But the hours would be much better than I have now.