hello all! I have a couple questions for anyone with any answers. I have a standard 2003 mini cooper s that ive had for 3 years now. It has about 85k miles on it. over the past three years I have noticed the engine making a 'chugging' noise while it is out of gear idleing. This seems to be much more pronounced after a lot of hard driving. I would say it almost sounds like an old diesel mercedes or volvo....? I have been told that there is nothing wrong but it seems to be gradually getting louder and does make the engine wobble.
Also, the clutch has become very crunchy getting into first (from a stop) and into second. coming out of both first and second is a bit tough as well. the rest of the gears are just fine.
any ideas? do my adjectives work? thank you!!

 

Chugging noise could be fuel/ignition related.

Sounds like your clutch is on it's way out. How's your brake/clutch fluid level?

Jeremy

 

the chugging could be the 02 sensor. mine has about 90 grand on it and i just had to replace my b1s2 02 sensor. I cant believe the difference in the car over such a small piece. The clutch...well i had to replace mine about 20k ago but i upgraded to a fidanza flywheel and spec clutch and love them!

 

i think you guys may be right about it being on its way out. i do a lot of hilly city driving in those gears. thanks for the suggestions on the chugging noise too!!

 

I also own a 2003 MCS and I also have a clutch question and an engine question...

Clutch: I've got 74,000 miles on her and its been mostly stop and go city driving. Before I had even heard of the term 'clutch slippage' I had already guessed that's what it's doing. So, my question is: beings how I'm about to put a new clutch in, should I think about getting a new flywheel as well? How long to flywheels usually last compared to clutches?

Engine: I also get a 'chugging' sensation from the car during moderate to heavy acceleration up until about 4,000 rpms (the power-band vicinity). Like there are these sporadic, split seconds of total power loss. It almost feels like every other second or so a cylinder isn't firing and the car is just gonna die. What the heck is going on? I would have to speculate that maybe its an O2 sensor problem, a fuel related problem (pump, filter, injectors), or an electrical problem. What are your thoughts?

Thanks