Hey guys as of late my 2003 MCS has been making a whirring sound in between shifts no other way to describe it than that. Car has 98k miles on it..I'm guessing when the Throw out bearing starts to go the bearings in it can do this?

No sound at idle (clutch in or out).

Hoping this is not an engine bearing or larger transmission issue. Thanks

 

The "S" doesn't have the infamous Midlands transmission but that doesn't mean you don't have a bearing going out. But there are several places that I'd check:

1) Wheel bearings.
2) Half-shaft CV joints.
3) Output bearings on the differential.
4) Any of the transmission bearings.

I had a "whirring" start suddenly on my 2003 Cooper with Midlands 5-speed. I put the front end up on jacks so both wheels were off the ground and I was able to rotate the wheels and see where the sound was coming from. I ruled out the wheel bearings and CV joints since they were quiet. The sound was in the tranny and so I knew it needed to come out. Turned out to be one of the bearings on the input shaft - the far end one not the one nearest the clutch.

 

So I've actually determined now it's at 3500 rpm in any gear with or without the car in gear...it's more of a resonance I guess but the closest I can describe it is a whirring noise....hmm. Car drives fine -- but this has me wondering.

Any experience with what a idler pulley sounds like when the bearings go? That was one of my other thoughts..

 

Remember that the transmission input shaft turns at engine speed anytime the clutch is out. The output shaft and differential vary based on what gear you are in or not at all if in neutral.

It could be normal. I know I get hyper-sensitive to any noises when I suspect something might be wrong.

 

If it is the same sound, my R53 does it around that rpm when the A/C is on but never when off.

 

Hey 442rick..thanks for reply I'll give this a test out. I've also noticed it only happens when it's hot out ( i run the ac all the time almost). In the AM on the way to work when it's <75 degrees no whirring, on the way home 90+ degrees I get the whir.

 

Hey 442rick..thanks for reply I'll give this a test out. I've also noticed it only happens when it's hot out ( i run the ac all the time almost). In the AM on the way to work when it's <75 degrees no whirring, on the way home 90+ degrees I get the whir.

 

Check/Change gear oil. Chances are you are hearing the synchronizers spin up/down on the mainshaft in the trans.


(No, its not a Mini trans, but they all work the same way).