I've been getting this sound for a few months on my '05 MCS and thought I should look into it. This usually happens right when I start my car. While releasing the clutch while in 1st or reverse from a complete stop, I hear a somewhat high pitched "vrooooooooop" sound. The sound stops after the clutch is completely released and sometimes occurs in second. After the car has been running for a while, I can pull away from a stop light in first and the sound won't occur, so it seems to be something having to do from the car being cold for a period of time.

Anyone with any insights?

Thanks,
Avery

Edit: I just glanced at one of the other threads that had this problem too, I think he described it was the "chewbacca" sound. Doesn't sound like a serious problem.

 

It's more of an annoyance than a serious issue. I had this until I got a new clutch, but used the same flywheel.

 

That's reassuring Last thing I wanted as shelling out a load of cash to repair my clutch.

 

Lots of folks report momentary cold startup clutch sounds with the 1st gen cars. Some say its the sign of bigger problems to come, others report that its the nature of the beast and just a minor annoyance. My 2004 started doing it at 20K miles and 10K later, it doesn't seem to be any worse - I get it perhaps once or twice on every 2nd or 3rd cold start. I'm monitoring, but not overly concerned.

- Mark

 

In the clutch section you can find 4 topics on the noisy clutch issue that may be informative.

 

Excellent site!

 

Mine has done it for the past 30k miles. I am convinced its mostly on damp days cool days.

 

Beg to differ. It will become a serious issue (Transmission input shaft damage overtime) and MINI has a TSB out for the "chewbacca" flywheel noise. I had my clutch and flywheel replaced under warranty 3 weeks ago for this same exact problem.

Tell your dealer to look up TSB # SI M21 04 08 dated September 2008. There is a new flywheel part number that addresses the glazing problem of older factory dual mass flywheels. The TSB instructs the dealer to replace flywheel and clutch kit (Pressure plate, clutch disc, tube guide, dowels) on a "customer complaint basis".

At dealer's labor rates, this is a $2,500 repair (9-10 hours labor) Make sure you have warranty.

 

I get this too on my 2005 MCS. I don't seem to experience any issues with the clutch sticking or slipping though. I have about 6 months left on my warranty and have been wondering if I should take it in and have it checked. Seems from ClubmanS post this is a must.

 

I take my car to a NAM member/vender who is well respected as a top mini tuner. I have asked him about this and he said not to worry about it. He said his car does it as well sometimes. He says its just glazing and nothing more. I trust him.

 

ClubmanS, while what you say may be a possibility, I've spent a lot of time researching this on NAM (have the same issue) and have only seen one instance of a tranny being replaced along side the flywheel when this was reported. When the person was asked why the transmission was replaced we werent given any real answer.

Of course that is just on NAM though, which is by no means a large or even sampling of the community and all of its drivers.

 

There's way too much variation in cars with this symptom (from absolute failure to cars making the noise indefinitely without further issue) that you can't say anything with certainty, despite some here who think their experience speaks for everyone's. If the car was under warranty, I'd demo it to the service guys if you can and get something on a service writeup. Otherwise, you drive and see if it gets to the point where it sounds like a fix is ncessary. No way, I'd dive in and spend $3K just because the clutch makes a noise when cold now and then.

- Mark

 

At the one year point I took mine in with that sound and they replaced the clutch (it was indeed bad). Several months later the exact same sound came back and I took it back to the dealer and this time I got a "nothing's wrong" speech.

 

If you are out of warranty and still want to do something about the problem, I would swap the stuck LuK clutch and dual mass flywheel with a Clutchmasters FX200 clutch kit and flywheel.

No more clutch problems.

 

That would have been nice to know I got mine done under warranty but after 100 miles it came back... I think Dallas mini screwed me...

 

They probably didnt screw you.The stock part is known to actually be that awful.

 

I got the updated flywheel/clutch installed a month ago and still quiet as a church mouse.

 

I had complained to the dealer about my clutch noise last summer but they didn't think it was bad enough to do anything about it. My power steering pump failed recently so when I took it in I had them check out the clutch again as it was really getting noisy. This time they agreed it shouldn't be doing it that badly so they replaced it. We'll see how long it lasts. At least it was done under warranty. December '06 build date, 14,000 miles (only!) MCS JCW and I haven't driven it that hard... yet.

 

What was the final clutch diagnosis.?

 

Don't know, didn't ask. Sorry.

The invoice says they installed "set RMFD-clutch parts twin", "collar screw", "guide tube", "twin mass flywheel", "dowels", "as per si m 21 04 08"

Does that mean anything to anyone?

I think it started with the previous owner from 12/06 - 4/08 sometime. I may have made it worse driving the hills of downtown Seattle one day.