I have a 2004 JCW with an OEM clutch... I'm on my third clutch now, and every one has rattled. When I first got the car, it started doing it a few days after I brought it home. Service tech said it was the bushings around the transmission loosening up over time, causing things to rattle around slightly. I'm not sure if I buy that.

My rattle also goes away when I depress the clutch, and returns when I release it. A few other symptoms I've noticed as well:

-The rattle is linked to engine speed- when I increase the revs, the rattle speeds up accordingly.

-While in neutral, popping the clutch makes the rattle more pronounced, but it's quieter while slowly and gently letting it out.

I've never found this to affect the performance of the gearbox in any way, I just sort of assumed it was another MINI quirk.

Just adding to the think tank here!

 

from what i remember its something to do with a spring in the clutch. very common problem with every r53 i've ever seen. was told by a mini tech that it does it on every car. but it doesnt cause any damage or performance drop off.

Motor On!

 

My car does the same thing. But, and Ive posted to no avail, did you guys notice the rattle coming back while driving. My car currently is making the same noise as the rattle while I accelerate. Dont think its in the motor because when parked next to a wall and revved the noise isnt there. Unless my foot is off the clutch. Anyone?

 

Is this right then?

Noise when you accelerate, in gear.
No noise when you rev, not in gear.

My car only rattles at idle and not in gear. Goes away when I step on clutch, still idling. No noise when driving in any gear.

Does your rattle increase with RPMs?
Does your rattle occur in all gears?

 

Thats about it.
Does occur in all gears.
Seems to stay in line with rpms. Just like if you rev it out of gear with out pushing the clutch in.

Ive researched and some say it could be the Crank Dampner, but i would think id hear it all the time
Also my be the belt tensioner, again think id hear it all the time.
My only thought is that its some how realted to the whole bad throw out bearing/ Flywheel fiasco.
And now the one guy saying his Input shaft went bad...How does one even know if thats going bad til the tear it apart?

 

It sounded like a wheel bearing going bad, or rather like Alan making the RRRRRRRRRRR! tongue flapping sound when he saw Jeri Ryan's character in that one episode of 2.5 Men, or the old potato chip commercial--RRRRRuffles have RRRRRidges. It kept tempo with engine revs, and it spun down to nothing when you fully depressed the clutch pedal.

HTH, or rather HT*D*H, if you know what I mean!

C ya,
Dutch

 

Totally know what you meant. And a big sigh of relief. It's not that. I talked to someone else about it and to them it sounds like it's my throw out bearing on it's way out.

 

If the noise goes away when you step on the clutch, it is likely your flywheel.
If the noise occurs when you step on the clutch, it is likely your T/O bearing.

The flywheel noise is just an annoyance, however the T/O bearing is more serious.

 

Ok. Wht would cause the sound while driving? It sounds identical to the sounds ppl hear while idle. Just faster while driving. And I have the same sound while idle.

 

I have a lightened flywheel and the 6-speed. It rattles in neutral at idle, rattle goes away when clutch depressed; a similar rattle occurs under acceleration, most pronounced when "lugging" the engine a bit. I.e., if I'm going 40 mph in 6th, and press the gas, I get a good rattle. However, I've no weird vibes, leaks, or performance problems, so I just turn up the radio. Maybe I'll get a CAI to drown out the rattle...

 

That is still your flywheel making the noise. Similar to what Densmini just described.

 

Ok so no worries then? I have a clutch kit ready to go for when it finally decides to go. I cab feel my clutch start to slip. Car has lost some of it's get up.

 

I love finding threads like this. 5 years later it's still relevant and helping people. Ive noticed that my new to me 05 MCS with a fresh new clutch from the dealer rattles at idle, goes away when I push in the clutch and once it's warmed up. Excellent to know this is normal!

 

Ok...so to resurrect a dead thread.... I have chatter when the clutch is depressed at a stop and goes away from 700-1500 rpm, chatters at 1500-2200ish then goes away (all gears)... if I go WOT or somewhat aggressive it won't do it in 1st gear...obviously the other gears won't be in the low RPM range.