Starting to take my mini apart for a clutch job and this is what came out after draining the transmission oil. . Should I even bother moving forward or is this a clear sign to get another.

 

What is the risk of just reinstalling it? damage is done. Have your favorite tow truck's phone # on speed dial.

 

All of it magnetic? Did it give you any reason to question it's reliability? If it didn't and it did not make noise I would send it

Also split the trans and clean the magnet

 

Shavings in the oil pan looks like something is getting eaten... Used engines are around $1000 shipped to your door step. So if you are comfortable doing a clutch job, you could probably do a. Engine if you need to. Just some random thoughts.

 

OP said those shavings were from the gearbox, not the engine.

 

Not looking good. If it was me I would be looking at a rebuild or replacement.

 

That doesn't look like a transmission drain plug...

 

Think thats an aftermarket drain plug for the trans? factory: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...g/23127602815/

 

Maybe someone stripped the original, then tapped new threads, pushing shavings inside.

 

Wow....that's a little more than just some shavings, that's chunks! How did it shift before you drained the fluid? If it was me, I would just pick up a new "used" transmission and be done with it. Something is seriously wrong with the one you have......it's just a matter of time before it grenades itself.

 

The "chunks" are a little worrisome. One question is, did you own it from new and is this the first gearbox oil change that you are aware of? If so, that might not be too much considering break-in.
The next question is how did you drive it? Jamming gears or not so much?

Were there any other symptoms of gearbox issues? Hard shifting? Shifter vibrating when first going into gears, especially 2nd? And if so, did double clutching help? I'm not positive about Mini's but every transmission I've ever had apart the synchronizers are brass which is not magnetic. Any sign or gold/brass metal flake in the oil? Put the oil, [if you still have it] in a flat pan and swirl it around like you're panning for gold. Even thin it a little with something like thinner etc... Check for brass. Post some pics.

If no other symptoms or shifting issues, I would put a quart or so of diesel in, mix it around good, drain and see what you get as far as flakes/chunks... Again like panning for gold.

If further cleaning doesn't revel more chunks it might not be as bad as you think, especially if no whining or other shifting issues.

That reminds me, I needs to change my gear oil!

Keep us posted as to what you find.
robj

P.S. if it is in fact the engine oil drain plug, never mind...

 

I was absolutely thrown off by the plug. It looks like a magnetic engine oil plug. I've never seen one of those used in a transmission.

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when I just changed my fluid I too had that same magnetic plug too but thankfully I didnt have anything on mine..lol found it was magnetic as I lost it and found it stuck to a socket I had laying by..lol took me 15min to find it
so a magnetic plug isn't stock then ? Just wondering as I been confirming what's all been touched n changed on my car

 

@Chamuks What did you do?