Ok, got a 2005 cooper s. 99,000 miles. Noticed a soft chatter while sitting under my carport. Can't really tell where it's coming from... Doesn't do it all the time either. Every few times I take it out. Thing doesn't get drove much. Anyway, Went to back out of the driveway... Mashed the clutch to throw it in reverse and the chatter went away... Every time I hear it, i can mash the clutch and make it go away. Sometimes it comes right back, but most of the time not. Leads me to believe i may have a clutch bearing on its way out. CAN ANYONE CONFIRM? And, now what should i expect? Shifts just fine. Other than the faint chatter every once in a while, Can't even tell. Anyone had a similar issue? Thanks in advance...

 

Hmmm...flywheel I'm thinking? Might want to do some research on single mass vs dual mass flywheel.

 

Mine makes chatter noise sometimes when in neutral. It's kinda normal transmission noise, just more noticable on our cars.

If you push the clutch in it should go away. Let the clutch out slowly in neutral and it probably won't make the noise.

I have a good friend who rebuilds transmissions, he listened and said it's absolutely nothing to worry about.

 

That's good to know.... Thought bearing was going out. Still may be. Not sure. Would hate to wreck my transmission over something I should have gotten looked at.

 

Could be throw out bearing noise, or could be the belt tensioner. With the bonnet open, can you get a feel for where the sound is coming from?

 

Not sure about the belt tensioner... Why would it go away with the clutch down? Think it would be hard to tell the difference between bearing and flywheel chatter. Wonder if they're is a good way to tell...

 

Throw out bearing only turns when the clutch pedal is depressed. A noisy bearing will only be so when turning. In neutral the transmission is turning when the motor is running. Depress the clutch in neutral with the motor running and the transmission will stop turning. The noise you hear is the transmission turning.

 

I actually just took a video of my own R53 today before I even read this thread. I am having the same (I think) problem. I figured it wasn't too much to worry about since it drives find the the clutch shifts well.

Does this sound about the same as yours?

 

I had the same problem, it's either the dual mass flywheel, the throw out bearing, or both.

No matter what anyone says, this is not a normal sound. It will only get worse with time.

A new dual mass flywheel from the factory can run $700 - $900 depending on where you live. A new clutch is not included.

Valeo makes a single mass flywheel conversion kit that includes a clutch that can be picked up for inbetween $600 - $800 depending on where you live.

Be prepared for major sticker shock on the labor to have it installed.

 

Dual mass flywheel, don't throw money at it, it's not a problem.

If it makes a noise when you push the clutch in, it's a problem - as in release bearing or such.

If it makes the noise with the clutch out, it's the DM flywheel, and no problem.