I am experiencing a grinding sound from my engine when idiling. It sounds for all sakes and purposes like the car has no oil in it, although I know it does. I've also just replaced the spark plugs along with an oil change and neither seemed to resolve the issue.

Anyone know what this can be? I am sorry for the vague description but it's all I have, I'm the furthest thing from a mechanic one can be.

 

How many miles are on your car? It might be your supercharger going bad, a few thousand miles or less from destroying itself.

 

44K.

Oh God I hope not!

 

Check my recent post... https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=122502

And this one... https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=74674

Then go see Eddie at 1fastmini in Winter Park. He's replacing my supercharger right now.

 

I noticed last night that the sound goes away when the clutch is engaged. Could this be the flywheel?

It either goes completely away or minimizes significantly....

 

Is noise pronounced when you push in the clutch? Does it attenuate when the cluch is engaged? That sounds like a throwout bearing going out.

 

The noise is present when in neutral and not on the clutch like when sitting at a stop light. If I press the clutch the noise stops.

Honestly it sounds like a bunch of rocks tumbling about in my engine area. But this is from the drivers seat, I haven't been able to pinpoint the location yet.

 

+1 on the throwout bearing.

 

This something that is usually covered by warranty?

 

are you running an aftermarket short shifter?

I had one installed on my last car and it had the same symptom you are experiencing. I could hear the throw out bearing slot more

 

Stock

 

I had a noise similar to this. Rotating/grinding noise with the clutch out and diminished when pressed in. The noise was also there when in 1st or 2nd and about 2800rpm. It turned out to be the input shaft bearing in the transmission. Unfortunately, the parts to repair it are not available.

 

My 2006 does the same thing. I'm about to schedule her 10,000 oil change/check up. Will inquire.

 

Not available? So then what happens? They just say they can't fix it? Or they replace the entire transmission?

This is getting scary...

 

If the car is in neutral and the clutch is out ( left foot on floor) and there is a grinding noise it is NOT the throwout bearing because the throwout bearing is only in use if the clutch is depressed. If the noise goes away when the clutch is depressed then the noise is ( I am sorry to say ) in the transmission.

Another way to understand this is that when the clutch is depressed, the engine is disconnected from the transmission and the transmission input shaft is at rest; clutch out and the input shaft is turning ( and its bearing).

We will all pray for you now.

 

Have you changed the transmission fluid? If it's broke this isn't going to fix it...still, for 15 bucks or so I'd change the fluid and see if that helps. Of course, if you're still under warranty, just take it in and get them to fix it.

 

Had a similar noise in my '02. Result: replaced tranny- under warrenty thank goodness.

 

Yeah, the sound is present only when the clutch is NOT engaged. Again, sounds like a bunch of rocks are tumbling about in my engine.

 

+1. My MINI has done this from day 1 when I bought it. My old Jetta also had this issue. I believe it's flywheel chatter. When I upgraded to a light weight flywheel in my Jetta, it only got worse. Don't be alarmed.

I'm currently at 101,000 miles, and like I said, no problems yet. You just have to live with it (like the annoying rattles and what not )

 

This goes beyone an annoying "rattle" though. It wasn't there before about a month ago and is progressivley getting worse. The sound makes my car sound like a piece of s**t, which it is not. It's almost embarrasing to be at a red light.

I am praying that I don't get the "thats normal" reason from DTM.

 

If you turn your AC on, does it get louder? Mine goes and comes as it wants, so it wouldn't surprise me if you're having the same issue.

 

Had my car at DTM yesterday and the problem is....


Wait for it.....






The flywheel and some kind of "plate." (forgot what he said)

Both are being replaced under warranty.


YAY!!!

 

'pressure plate' - it's what presses the clutch up against the flywheel.
Nice to know you get it under warranty.