My tranny was making weird noises so I took it to AAMCO in Leesburg, VA and they said it was probably my flywheel and that MINI had recalled the flywheel in MINIs up to 04 because it wasn't strong enough. Has anybody had this problem? And were the noises gone after the flywheel and clutch were replaced?

 

I just had the flywheel replaced by Mini on my 07 MCS, it had 5450 miles on it when they replaced it. I got this wierd sound from the clutch area at around 2300 miles, which went away after I pushed the clutch in. I took it in and they told me the transmission fluid was low. The noise diminised for about 3 weeks but came back even louder. I took it back in, and they at first thought it was the transmission, finally after having the car for 2 weeks and many hours of listening through a stethescope they determined it was the flywheel and replaced it on warranty.

I am so glad they fixed it because the noise was driving me nuts. Yes after they replaced the flywheel the noise went away. The car drives great and actually always has, it just had that noise like a helicopter hovering.

Good luck, I hope your car is under warranty because he told me that if I had to pay to get it fixed it would be about $2,400

 

Had mine replaced about three months ago. Sounded like a helicopter noise coming from the tranny. The dealer replaced it under warranty. There is a service bulletin out there that states they only have to replace it if the customer complains about the noise. Supposably it will not harm the car, but it's annoying as heck. One mine was replaced, the noise was goine.

 

Sounds to me like a TSB not a recall.

 

Which is the only reason I havent had it fixed, but it is annoying. Makes the engine bay sound like the engine is a noisy junk, clattering away.

 

My 03 Liqyel MCS had the same problem. At idle in neutral with clutch out it sounded like it was going to fall apart. Schomp MINI in Denver warrantied new flywheel. No noise or problems after a year. It was TSB, not a recall.

 

Had a noise like a throw-out bearing was going on my 06 MCS . Took it in for the 30,000 mile check, told them about it. They diagnosed a flywheel problem. Gave us an 07 MCS with the paddle wheel shift to use. What fun. They replaced my flywheel and clutch at Northwest Mini under warranty. The noise is gone now. Chili Pirate

 

My car makes the same nasty noise but I bought mine used. My car is actually at the dealership today for two other recalls and an oil change. Do you think they would replace the flywheel for a second owner 2002?

 

I would also like to know this!!

 

Thats odd....didnt know the flywheel had anything to do with the clutch being depressed other than engauging the disc when applied. I think all your dealers b/s you because the noise you mostly are hearing is the throw out bearing which will make noise with the clutch pedal out and quiet when its pressed.

they replaced the flywheel because the springs on the dual mass were weak and on certain cars clunked when letting the clutch out in gear. im sure on all the above concerns they replaced the clutch also.

the flywheel was a TSB. Not a recall

at idle and with the clutch in neutral, my car sounds like someones beating on my block but i have a lightened flywheel and lightened crank pulley so that sound is normal as there is no damping to muffle the drivetrain

 

05 MCS - 47200 miles

clutch 1 replaced due to flywheel

clutch 2 replaced two weeks ago due to throw-out bearing

hopefully clutch 3 will last a little longer

 

TSB SI M21 04 28 dated September 2008 is your ticket!

 

please check your numbers as the last 2 digits justify the year the bulletin came out

cant seem to find that one.