Hey gang... I am hoping SOMEONE out there can offer some help and/or advice. I have an 03 Mini (Non-S). Boguher her used about a year and 1/2 ago. She has 85K miles on her.
In July I replaced the clutch, throw out bearing, had the DM flywheel resurfaced (even though we were told you CAN'T resurface a DM flywheel).
Now, 2 months later, I have a whirring noise that accelerates/decelerates and stops all together when the clutch is engaged. No problems shifting.
I brought it back to the people who did the clutch work. This is a fairly reputable garage that deals with euro imports only. They tell me this noise is coming from the differential, which is located inside the transmission and are suggesting I replace the transmission.

1. Has anyone else had this happen?
2. Could this have been caused by the garage, as they had to remove the transmission to do the flywheel/clutch?

I'm losing my love for my girl. I have NEVER had to replace a transmission in ANY car I have owned and I AM a driver. I put high mileage on my cars. I just have a bad feeling about it, after paying 2000.00 for the clutch work, I'm being quoated another $4000.00. Just doesn't seem right.

ANY help would be MUCH appreciated.
Thank you!
Selena

 

Maybe the throwout bearing?

I would get a second opinion. Take it somewhere else and see what they say. Ask them if it could be the throwout bearing.

 

Maybe the throwout bearing?

If it was it would make noise when you press on the peddle- not go away. The noise is it only when you are moving or stopped? The diff is not going to make noise if your not moving.

 

He said it goes away when engaged.

I take that as it goes away when the pedal is not pressed.

 

A Cooper (non-S) has a conventional flywheel that can be resurfaced; the dual mass flywheel is on the S model.

Wording used in the first post is causing some confusion so clarification could be helpful. If the sound goes away when the clutch pedal is depressed, it is not likely to be from the differential. Unfortunately early build Cooper gear boxes do have a history of premature failures, but you don’t report shifting difficulties.

I’m not being critical of the shop’s pricing structure, but $2k is on the high side for the work done as the parts were a very small fraction of the total. I think you have a right to have a “bad feeling” about this.

 

Thank you ALL for your responses and input.

I have taken it to my trusted mechanic (long story as to why he didn't do the clutch) and he has informed me that it the bearing within one of the, and I will probably get this wrong, main (1of 2) cylinders within the transmission.
It's a cylinder that constantly spins when the car is in gear, when you depress the clutch or put it in neutral, the noise stops, because the cylinder has stopped. I apologize, for the life of me, at this moment I forget the technical name. I will still need to have the transmission replaced, but I am told not for awhile. As with any bearing, the noise will just get worse. My guy assures me, he will do the work and for a much lower price and much better, I might add.

The throwout bearing was replaced with the clutch.

Again, thank you to all... if you would like I will keep you informed of the final result and cost.

Selena

 

Main Shaft?

If it was me, I would look for a low mile wrecked car take out and just swap it out.

best of luck. peter

 

Sorry. I believe it's either the Input Shaft or the Output Shaft. I will get more information and post it for people.

 

Did you ever figure out where exactly this noise came from?

As I have the exact same noise you describe.

 

I had an identical problem, and it has to do with the bearings and sleeves on the shafts inside the Midlands transmissions. If I remember correctly, the bearing casing on the input shaft is plastic, and after wear and tear and especially temperature changes the plastic becomes brittle, shatters, and then the shaft wobbles. I think I did about 3k miles on mine before it finally went completely.

I picked up a transmission from WMW, did the full swap on my own. Running about 8k miles since with 0 issues. Way told me not to bother with finding a used transmission, since they will cost essentially the same as a new one, but would still have the same fundamental flaw.

 

I had the same issue last year. 2002 5 speed non S, It appears mine was a bearing in the differential of the tranny. Replaced the transmission with a remaned one from Mini of South Atlanta (1 yr warr) I kept the old one and this summer will rebuild and keep as a spare.