How do I know if the clutch is slipping? When I wake up and get in the car and its cold (california cold-so not that cold) and I let go of the clutch when going off in first, the car shakes and I hear this noise coming from by my foot and once I let go of the clutch it goes away. after taking off in first gear a few times, the shuttering and shaking and jumpiness stops. taking off in first gear after that is nice and smooth.

Is this a sign of the clutch slipping? Or does the clutch need some maintenance? the car will most likely be sitting for two years after december so I think I can make it to then without getting a new clutch..

edit: 46k on her

 

Sounds like it might be oil on the clutch disk. I had a Corvette that had a leaking rear main seal and when I would drive the car after it sat for a day or so I would get a clutch shutter only starting off in first. Once I ran it through the gears a few times it was smooth again. It got worse as time went on.

 

sounds like a bad seal which is allowing oil to get onto the clutch surface.. goes away as you use the clutch, but will keep coming back. you could keep using until you need a new clutch depending how the leak grows.

 

It's been doing this for about 3-4 months...should I bother getting it looked at? if it is oil on the clutch disk, or a bad seal, does anyone know how much this will run me $ wise?

 

Did a thread search- perhaps the "dreaded chewbacca" noise / glazed flywheel or something? only happens when car is cold and disappears. it only makes the noise once or twice, and shutters/staggers about after I've taken off in first gear a couple times. then it stops. I've read that some people just let it be until they actually go in for a new clutch 20k or 30k mi down the line.

who knows ?

 

I don't think the chewbacca problem would cause it to shutter like that. When you start the car, do you let it warm up before driving it, or just get in it and go? A lot of R53's have some rough idling when cold that could cause shuttering if driven right away, but goes away when warmed up. If you don't usually let the car warm up before driving it, I would recomend letting it idle for a few minutes before you go and seeing if it helps.

 

[05 MCS] I have had the chewbacca noise forever on cold starts. They changed my clutch at Mini SF back in 2007 I believe at around 25K miles. Didn't work. Chewbacca noise returned shortly after. They told me then that "it seems to be OK". Since then I am at 102K miles with chewbacca noise when cold. Clutch doesn't slip and there is no other shudder or anything abnormal. Just the noise. I have come to believe that I am fine. Also the clutch has been through at least 30 track days.

 

it sorta sounds like you just arent giving it enough gas when you start off at first and it wants to stall out, idk i let a buddy of mini drive my mini and he almost stalled it out and it shook and made a noise.

 

+1
I know when I gave it BARELY enough gas to take off, it would shake a little and make a noise. Not sure if this is the same situation; Just sayin'

 

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That is more mileage than most get - time for a new disc.

 

Really? I don't think that is true. I think most Mini's get far more miles than that on a clutch. Unless of course you track your car a lot and thrash the clutch.

My GTO has 110,381 miles on the original clutch and it works just fine. Though I am starting to get a bit of throw out bearing noise. This just manifested itself in the past few days. And I run that car REAL hard. 400 hp vs a lot less for the Mini's.

I have to think that the Mini clutch if used properly will last a long time. (Sans other maintenance problems that could influence longevity, like oil intrusion etc.)

Just my experience.

 

I can roll away without the gas pedal being depressed at all, but if I hold the clutch at a very specific point it will shudder like the OP is describing. It might just be a technique issue.

 

The dual mass flywheel is well known for the "chewbaca"sound on cold starts, mine has done it for years with no issues yet.

 

I bought my car with 123k from original owner, with original clutch. I only replaced it at that mileage due to needing the larger diameter flywheel for my 6 speed swap, and of course I was in there anyway, so would have changed it no matter what. I've also sold a Saab with 155k on original clutch, and my TDI has 188k on original clutch. There is no set mileage for a clutch, I think. It depends on type and style of driving. I drive almost all highway, and with an eye on economy.

To the issue of slipping. A clutch slipping from wear will first be apparent in the upper gears under load, not in first starting off. There may be an issue here, but I sincerely doubt it's related to normal wear.