I just had the clutch/flywheel replaced on my 03 MCS with 70k miles, and now I hear a very faint 'rubbing' sound. It is hard to explain. It does not sound like grinding, but just a faint rubbing sound, almost like the sound of sandpaper being dragged across a table. The sound is present whenever the car is in gear, but not when the clutch is depressed. I can only hear the sound at low RPM's, and usually only when accelerating or decelerating gently. Above that, the engine sound drowns out the rubbing noise.

Any ideas what this might be?



ALSO, at highway speeds in 6th gear i get an oscilating humming sound, that goes in and out every few seconds. Again, this sound is very faint.

I am very OCD and notice just about every creak/whistle/grind but I just want to be sure this isn't a soon to be catastrophe.

 

PLEASE can anyone help me on this?

I get the 'rubbing/grinding' sound ONLY when i'm in gear AND either acceleration slowly or decelerating (using engine braking). I only notice it when i'm lightly on the throttle or fully off the throttle -- when I stay at a constant speed I can't hear it. I also only hear it at low RPMS (under 3000) but this might just be due to the fact that the engine drowns out the sound at higher RPMS.

Could this be my crank pulley? I looked at the pulley through the engine bay, and it appears to be very rusted/corroded. I have an early mini (2003) so I think I have the failure-prone crank pulley.

I am only desperate because I will take advantage of the last day of Alta's sale (ends tonight) and get a new crank pulley for $75 bucks. I know undampened pulleys are the subject of much debate, but I can't afford a $400+ pulley and the vast majority of people have had good luck with them.

PLEASE HELP!!

Thank you!!

 

Just an update*

I took the car out for a spin a few minutes ago to try to better understand the symptoms. I actually can hear the rubbing/grinding noise at higher rpms, especially when letting off the gas in gear.

AC does not seem to affect the noise.

There are no unusual sounds coming from the pulleys when I have the hood open.

Belts seem tight* but i have no idea...

Crank pulley is really rusted/corroded

 

If you clutch and flywheel were JUST replaced, give it 500 miles or so to "mate" or break-in, maybe for if it is a high-performance replacement. If everything else is fine, don't worry for now.
Sometimes new a new clutch will chatter a bit...sounds like you MAY be hearing it.
From what I have heard, if the crank pulley goes, you are not going anywhere....if you mechanic is any good he would have let you know if the crank pulley was a possible upcoming issue....just like the belt. As long as the job was done right and you trust the person/place that did it, chill for a few miles.

 

LOL his mechanic is your mechanic Pete.

 

Well I plan on going to pete for all future work, but the mechanic was actually a BMW dealership in CT from which I bought the car. They were NOT happy about doing the job for me, because I bought the car used and nailed them on the state-mandated 2 month warranty (for all used cars) when my clutch started acting up.

It was a long fight, but they eventually gave in and did my clutch for me. However, I would be shocked if they happened to 'notice' anything else that was wrong and sink even more money into the car (which I bought for 11k, 1k less than they owned it for).

I wish Pete had done it, but oh well.

I went ahead and bought a 2% crank pulley from Alta while I could still get it for $75. I'll install that with my 15% SC pulley/belt/plugs next week and hopefully it will resolve the problem.

 

Small world....Mr C, how is the fx-200 cluch doing? I haven't seen any updates lately?
If a BMW or Mini dealer did it, they do have pretty high standards, even if they are not perfect!! I'm sure Pete could give it a listen!! Might be good peace of mind, or if there is a problem give you the ammo you need to nail the dealers hide to the wall!!
I would be very careful about useing the crank reduction pulley....many different opinions out there....but I can say harmonic vibrations can destroy an engine...And IMO, MINI spent 300$ a car or so to put the damper cause there was a need... Not just for bling. Then again lot of people have and are useing -2 reduction with no major reports of problem....go figure. I prefer not to be the guina pig. Lol.... Good luck!!

 

Full review here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...el-review.html

I made the same thread on MMC too for anyone whose interested.

 

Any updates?? Getting better??

 

It's still there and I'm just learning to live with it. Fortunately I just installed an alta intake which does a pretty good job drowning out the sound.

I'm pretty sure that the sound is coming from my worn out, rusty, corroded crank pulley. I have a new alta 2% pulley sitting on my desk, but I'm waiting to get an SC pulley/belt before I tear in and replace it.

 

Rubbing/rotation type noises might be happening because you need a new brake caliper or 2... Just a guess.
Tatt