Just replaced the gear oil on my R53 (Around 200k on it) with around 1.8 quarts of Redline MTL 75W-80 and noticed a whine (from what sounds like the trans) afterwards. I’m in NJ, and the DMVs are closed, so I can’t drive the car on the street, but on the first test drive I noticed the whine. Today, a few days later, I went out for another cruise around the block and the whine seemed a bit more apparent. It increased with RPM, but was not apparent at idle. After listening to it for a few minutes while driving around, the noise seemed to go away.

Anyone else come across this before or have some thoughts on what this could be? Should I replace the fluid with something else? Any insight is much appreciated! The last thing I want to do is damage the trans.

 

I took the car for another drive late this afternoon and there was no whine. This is pretty mysterious. I’m thinking maybe it is related to external temperature; morning was around 40, while the afternoon was closer to 70. A buddy of mind recommended swapping out the 100% MTL for a 50/50 blend of MTL and lightweight shockproof. Maybe I will give that a try if it comes back. Would still love to hear some ideas of what it could be.

 

The MTL should be fine for your MINI.

 

Was it the first time it's had a MT fluid change in the 200K miles ?

 

I have no idea! I just picked the car up, so I don't know what its history was. The color of the old oil was pretty disgusting, but besides that, I don't have any insight.

Cristo - Any experience with the lightweight shockproof?

 

Years ago I replaced the oil in my 6-spd with Redline and never heard a noise or had a problem, and its now about 100K later.

 

The transmission was prob just screaming for joy!!

Mine gets done every 30K, - drain and fill.

 

.

 

nope

 

Redline makes a variety of grades in the 75w-90 range. MTL is something like 70w-80, iirc. They also make a -85 if you'd like to try one that's ready-made. However you should be right on the money (assuming that 40 is Fahrenheit and not Celsius) in terms of gear oil weight for temp range.

I typically do gearboxes every 3 engine oil changes (5k engine, 15k trans / diff if present).

 

Don't use the shockproof in your Mini. Shockproof is intended for use in a differential (no synchros). MTL (or MT85 or MT90) are intended for use in either a manual transmission (MT in the name) or a transaxle, where you have synchros attempting to match gear speeds efficiently when you shift. The lubricity characteristics of gear oils like shockproof will make shifting disappointing.

Regarding noise or whine with MTL: I'd had great experience with MTL before buying my Mini 15 years ago. That said, when I first tried MTL in the MIni (w/factory GKN limited slip), while it shifted much better, there was a slight whine at freeway cruise that bothered me. So I made the oil just a bit thicker: Put in 1/2 quart of MT90, and filled the balance with MTL. Result was eliminating freeway whine. I repeated that when changing oil over the years. (Redline tech support "blessed" the combo, a decade before they introduced MT85 as a middle-weight gear oil.)
Interestingly, when had a Quaife limited slip installed 18 months ago, MTL went in by itself, and there was no whine.

 

Thank you everyone! So interestingly enough it seems to have gone away. I still can’t drive the car outside of my development, but I don’t hear the noise any longer. I never put in shockproof; I also read that it wasn’t meant for these transmissions.

mini_Crazy. I love the suggestion. Once I get her on the road I might do some additional tests and see what turns up. Thank you again!

 

Even though it’s better now, double
check the fill level with the car level
just to be sure.
I’m able to loosen the fill plug, put
the car down level again, and reach
the fill plug from above to check it,
fill more with some tubing until it
just drips out, then up on ramps
again to tighten the plug properly.