Hello everyone! I am writing on this thread to talk to ask a question about my 2005 Mini Cooper S Transmission Problem. My car is an Automatic 6 Speed Transmission and has 58,000 miles on it. I bought this car from a kid who beat on it, who got it from his grandmother who lived in California. I can drive the car for around 10-15 minutes before it starts shifting horribly or locks into 5th gear, and 5-10 minutes after 5th gear it won't go into gear. I have heard that replacing the valve body works, but my dad says it's the whole transmission because one time you could smell the burning of the clutch. I'm not sure if this is common for other people, but I would like to know if a valve body would fix that.

Thank you

 

Before you do that - change the fluid. There have been a few older threads on this.

1 ) check if your fluid is at the right level

2) drain some - measure what came out, and put the same back.

the original fluid is Toyota 3099 - just get it, and refill - I got 9 liters, and did a 3 quart fill 3 times. It made a difference. I did get the valve body rebuilt - at 115k.
This thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-fluid-431254

 

I have a 2005 S with the automatic as well, but it's sitting at 157,000 miles and it shifts well enough for that mileage. There is some jerkiness I noticed when it downshifts in the lower gears especially in stop and go traffic, but the shifts are quick for the most part. The PO must have really beaten on it then if it's this bad at your mileage.

 

The issues you are experiencing are very common with the valvebody being worn out. The problem part is that Aisin used hardened steel valves in an aluminum valve body. Over time (and accelerated by abuse), the valves will enlarge the bores and allow fluid past them when they should be closed. The issue of being locked in 5th gear is most likely the torque converter being locked up when it shouldn't be. As for smelling clutch, automatic tranmissions can cook the fluid and you'll get a burnt fluid smell but you won't be able to smell anything from the clutch packs themselves. You might be safe just swapping a valvebody but if the previous owner drove it hard all the time, then a larger repair bill may be coming your way.

All that said, change the fluid first. It is a cheap alternative and may solve some of the shifting issues.

 

To clarify the fluid mentioned above, the fluid type is JWS 3309. The dino version is Toyota Type IV ATF. There are synthetics out there as well that cover the JWS 3309 spec that you can use as an alternative.

 

Here’s my 2 cents…
I have a 2006 R53, same transmission with 126,000 miles. Started having the shifting issues; smooth until the car got up to temp, and then some hard shifts between the gears, either up or down.
Replaced the Valve Body and on my way for about 2 weeks. Pulling out of a parking spot, shift into reverse with an incredible jolt. Forward motion was fine, but only in 2nd gear…No up or down shifts. Back in the shop for a complete rebuild. My transmission guy (also a friend) thinks the possibility of installing the new Valve Body with an aging transmission helped speed up the breakdown. Fluid was fine considering the mileage…Just bad luck or timing.

 

Aren’t 2005 automatic transmissions CVT? Is the S tranny an Aisin?

Thank you,
Peter

 

the s has an aisin 6 speed torque converter type, the Justa has a CVT that is also crap.