I'm just buttoning up new clutch install and found the dust cover for inside the bellhousing miss-labeled and thus not installed.
Am I prematurely going to destroy my new clutch etc. by not having this installed? 10 Covering plate 24007513345 on RealOEM

 

While somewhat protected, dust or other small object could get in there, if not MINI would have saved the money and not put a cover there in the first place?

I discovered that cover missing on my MINI when replacing the clutch a few years ago. I bought the car knowing it had clutch issues so someone may have removed the cover when trying to diagnose the problem prior to my purchase of the car, or it could have been missing for quite a while from a previous repair, I don't know. The clutch on the car was initially replaced at about 50k miles because of a defective flywheel and I bought the car with 200k miles. Whatever the history I did replace the cover just to be safe.

 

Thanks Rude Joe. After thinking about it I decided to removel the trans and find where it was installed. I'm a little confused as the cover has an edge on it and its own thickness and I didn't see any recess in the block ot the bell housing where the cover would fit into to create a tight fit of bell to back of block. I'll be heading out to try to determine how it works in an hour. TGIF

 

It attaches around the passenger side output shaft opening on the end of the transmission bell. The gap/opening is noticeable when the engine and trans are mated. No need to remove the trans.

 

Oh, as I recall it doesn't create a tight seal when its fastened in place.

 

In this Mod Mini video at 18:48 you'll see him removing the cover.