Hello-

I could use a little assistance in tracking down an issue I think is beginning to surface if you have a second. Here are the details...

Car:
2011 Cooper S
1800k

Issue:
After car has been driven for 5-10 minutes, 1st to 2nd gear shifts produce an audible "clunking" (not grinding) and the stick play feels as if it is hitting an obstacle in the shift (more than just popping out of 1st to neutral). This is only when driving; when stopped the noise and feel does not produce anything. 2nd to 3rd may exhibit this characteristic (but I may also be imagining it). All other gear shifts are fine. Downshifts, even from 2nd to 1st, seem fine.

Usually my wife doesn't hear the "phantom" noises that I seem to uncover, but this time she was the first to point it out - so if she thinks something is wrong, I have to believe that something is....

Help!

Thanks.

 

Can you hear the noises with the windows up or down?

 

For sure down - it's more than a gear change. Haven't tried it with the windows up. Thanks for responding.

 

The way you say it happens, I would say maybe it's the synchro of the 2nd gear that is having bad time. I say that mainly because it only happens when driving. If it happens after few minutes of driving, now the temperature may be in cause, oil problem, bad fitting between gears.... it's a guess, i'm not a specialist at all.

What surprise me is the low mileage you have. I would really go buy my sellor to make them check that.

Hope it helps

PéO

 

Thanks. I've got a call in to the dealer who usually treats me right - I hope they've got an answer for this.

 

1-2 mine makes a loud clunk, but the dealer said that was normal so maybe it is for the MINI but let me know what your dealer says..

 

It's not normal when it is buttery smooth for the first 5 minutes and then acts as if the linkage is off-kilter or there's a rock in the system for some reason.

I'm usually a wuss about wanting things fixed my way, but this is one issue that I will pursue with passion. I refuse to buy the car outright (it's leased) only to find out my transmission has been fubar this entire time.

Appointment is on Wednesday. I'll let you know what they say.

Thanks.

 

Ok-

I went out with my mechanic today and he explained to me that on downshift from 2nd to 1st while car is in motion that it will produce an audible clunking and feel in in the shifter because we're not supposed to do that. I don't speak mechanic so excuse this interpretation: The synchros in first gear aren't built to handle a downshift into first at speed and will eventually break/pop if it is continually driven like so. All cars (at least modern cars) should only be put into first once the car has stopped driving.

He was emphatic about this but in a pleasant "I'm trying to educate you way." In fact, he insisted we take out an '11 on the lot to replicate the "issue" in that car when I pick up my Cooper (it's still getting both door panels replaced due to noise).

As for the upshift, well, maybe I'm a little rougher in that gear range than I need to be?

~k~