Hi guys,

This may a bit of paranoia as this is my first Mini, but...

In the mornings, during a cold start, I have drive train noise that can only be compared to a helicopter. If I push the clutch pedal in, the noise disappears.

After fifteen seconds or so the sound subsides.

I searched "helicopter noise" but no luck.

Any help?

 

Come on, anyone?

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=102479

 

I get the same thing. I've had clutch problems over the last year and a half, and my MC is only 3 years old with 34k mi. The 'heli' noise is not worrying, it doesn't affect drivability, but I get a shake or shudder, about 2-8 twitches, almost everytime I start out in 1st, and sometimes from 1st to 2nd. I've had MINI drive it and they say there is something wrong, but they don't know what. It could or couldn't be covered under warranty, if yes, free, if not, $1500 for a new clutch or still $800 just to open up the bell housing to look.

I am extrememly disappointed with MINI on this one. Everything should be under warranty at this point in ownership. A clutch going before 36k mi is unacceptable. I drive her normal, I've had many stick cars well into the 100k range with NO clutch issues.

So right now, I would have to roll the dice on having to pay or not, and I just don't have the $$$ to back it up if I need to pay.

The reasons or potential problems they said are: 'hot spots' on the clutch created from improper driving; -or- 'oil leak' onto the clutch which would cause some slippage problems. These don't seem to fit the bill in my mind- It seems the clutch needs to be tightened down or something instead. If I do replace it, I'm going aftermarket stage II- I only drive street, and may do a few autoxs in the future, but no crazy stuff. I just want to but somehting bulletproof in there.

 

That thread is for 2nd Gen MINIs. . . . This is the 1st Gen forum.

 

Thanks, I should have specified I have an 05 MCS, so I have the Getrag 6-speed.

 

When you mean cold start........just how cold is it outside? my MCS stays outside during the winter and when its extremely cold (like in the 15 degrees or lower) cars make funny noises for a few seconds but if the temp of where you live is nowhere near this cold then it might be something else.
hope that helps!

 

Southern california... not that cold.. mid 50's fahrenheit?

It seems to be anytime the car has been sitting for more than a few hours and is started up. Tick tick tick in neutral and it goes away if you depress the clutch pedal, or after a few minutes of driving.

FWIW, the car had a re manufactured tranny, clutch and flywheel put in about 15,000 miles ago.

Is that normal? Shouldn't they replace those components with brand new parts?

 

After doing much research, it sounds like this issue may be typical of the Getrag 6-speeds or the dual mass flywheels.

I still need to address a separate noise, so I'll bring it up with the dealer.

 

Thats weird, ive never heard anything like that in my car when the weather is nice and normal, i read that after doing more research you found out that the 6-speed Getrag trannies are noisy and yeah thats very accurate but guess some noises are normal and some are not, i guess you kinda have to trust your instict and do what you think its better for you and your car.

on a side note, youre lucky to be in 50 degree weather, today in the morning when i started my car the outside temp. was -3, that sucked

 

What month/year production do you have?? They say that noise is most caused by a faulty dual mass flywheel. If you can stand over the top of your engine and hear this noise loudly right at the top of the trans where it meets the engine, then most likely a dual mass. But if you can get under the car and listen to it, sometimes its really loud on the bottom of the trans and you can feel it in the gearbox. Then I would say its the gearbox.

 

I too get this noise. My car is an 06, so it's not that old, and when I start the car the engine has extra chatter than normal, and sometimes at stop lights.

The sound goes away if I depress the clutch pedal, and comes back when I release it. I don't always have this noise, and it doesn't seem to affect drivability, but it does make my relatively new car sound like it's a 10 year old car.

 

That is EXACTLY what I'm experiencing. I'm beginning to wonder if it is some foreign substance on my flywheel. Have you had a dealer take a look at it?

 

05. I have to check on production month.

The funny thing is, this car had the flywheel replaced (for separate issue) under warranty in 06.

 

Read the thread. Mini is using the same DMF component, hence the problem has migrated to the R56.

 

I think I have something like this. Mine doesn't make the noise when parked, only when in gear. I hear it most in mornings. Push in the clutch and coast and it stops. Does sound something like a flywheel is not spinning true when connected (but I'm not a mechanic). I'm out of warranty so just putting up with it. Is annoying.

 

Check out these two threads, they go into more detail.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght=helicopter

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght=helicopter

I guess the consensus is that it is caused by a faulty dual-mass flywheel. Not that the actual flywheel function is faulty, mind you, just the the noise dampening abilities.

 

Had the SAME issue. Turned out to be the Clutch Plate/Flywheel. Replaced under warranty- noise gone!

 

Thanks for your 2 cents, as I am under warranty I may do the same. I just can't bear being away from my car for so long.

How long were you without your mini when they did the repair?

 

It sounds like a throw out bearing to me if the noise goes away after pressing the clutch. My 06 has just started to make this noise and I am going to take it in for service soon before it is out of warranty

 

The MC with Getrag 5 spd doesn't have a dual mass flywheel, does it? I suppose I'll have to roll the dice and be prepared to pay for a clutch replacement. . .

 

I was under the impression a failing TO bearing would make noise when the clutch is ENGAGED. Is this not the case?

 

I myself have the odd noise as did a member of our club, Silverbullet who as a result took his 06 MCS to the dealer and they replaced the clutch which was glazed.

Now he's 100%

 

Well, I made a service appointment for tomorrow, so I'll let you guys know what they say.

 

That was my first thought too. Mine makes a ticking noise sometimes at idle when in neutral, and goes away when clutch is depressed. Pretty sure its the throw out bearing. Wouldn't describe it as a helicopter though.

Nik