I have recently noticed a low frequency rattle that only occurs at idle. If I crack the throttle even a tiny bit, the noise stops. It almost sounds like a heat shield is loose, or maybe something to do with my alta pulley and intake...

Any thoughts?

 

most likely the "neutral gear" rattling inside the transmission. does it stop if you press on the clutch pedal?

 

I have this issue, as soon as I push the clutch in it stops...

 

same here..

Normal I guess.. but it's annoying when you have a shiny new car with less than 6K miles and it rattles...

 

I just took ours in for the same issue. Word from Rasmussen is that the "EWS Control relay" on the transmission was bad.

From what they told me this relay has something to do with the clutch interlock where you have to put the clutch in before starting the car. Apparently, the relay would just sit there clicking/rattling all the time with the engine running, the car in neutral, and the clutch out. When the clutch was depressed, the noise stopped. It also seemed to go away when the engine was revved, but it could just be that the engine noise was loud enough to cover the relay noise.

I will be picking the car up after work today and see if that indeed fixed the problem.

 

Well, I got under the car with the engine running. It is coming from the differential case for sure. The rattle does not go away with the clutch depressed, or with the gear selector in a gear. Even as little as 200 rpm idle change makes a difference, and it does not seem to rattle so bad cold.

I also really notice it when letting off the clutch to get moving, especially if I roll-off gently (like in traffic).

Thanks for the suggestions so far! Keep em comin!!!!!!!

 

Any other ideas out there?

 

could be the heat shield by the oil filter

 

I've heard that there is a MINI bulletin out there about issues with the flywheel that causes strange rattles/ticking noises in neutral, but these should disappear when you push in the clutch.

 

this is true

 

The dealership gave me an 05 mcs for a loaner car. It has about 14k miles, and makes exactly the same noise. That eliminates the intake and pulley as the cause. It also signifies that there is nothing really wrong with my car.

Thanks for the input. If I get a chance, I will sneak into the service bay and ask the tech about it....

 

My car is in right now for this. My service advisor called me and told me that they are keeping it 2 or 3 days to open it up, take a look at the clutch/transmission, flywheel, throwout bearing, etc.

I will let you all know what they say. My rattling has gotten progressively worse over about 6 months now. I had it in before and they just told me to keep an eye (ear?) on it.

So now instead of a pepper white S, i have a pepper white cooper with CVT. interesting differences. still a very fun car. I am more relaxed and less aggressive in the Cooper than in my S. I like my Cooper S. I want her to be fixed.

 

My '05 MCS developed these same symtoms (rattle at idle while in neutral with clutch pedal up, rattle stops when clutch pedal is pressed in). I took it to the dealer, and the replaced the flywheel. Problem solved. I was convinced it was a throwout bearing, but they explained that the dual-mass flywheel is supposed to have vibration- and sound-deadening qualities and that mine was allowing the normal gearbox sounds to travel into the cabin. 50 miles - So far, so good.

 

Just had the clutch replaced with updated unit and also the flywheel which has an updated part according to Mini.Some dealers also do the throw out bearing as part of the Puma.Hope this helps.

 

Mine only makes this noise sometimes, I'll mention it at my next service (7K to go) and I'll report back.

mb

 

Picked up my MCS/JCW today...YEAH! 82 miles on it and i notice the rattle you're talking about. My son's new Mini has it too. It sounds like a throwout bearing rattling with clutch engaged in neutral. Seems to be a quirk....I'm not too worried about it. Kick in the clutch and it's gone.

cheers
bill

 

I'm having the same thing...is this unique to the '05 MCS? From the looks of those of you who have auto sig's, everyone has an '05 MCS.

Is there a TSB on this issue so it is not problem to get it fixed if you take it to the dealership?

Thanks!

 

My car is going in this week for inspection I (or II, I forget), and the rattle will be on the list.

mb

 

Mine does it too. I push in the clutch, and it goes away.I have 8500mi. on my car. There is another thread all about this somewhere. From what I've read from this and the other post, the repairs range from people getting
whole new transmissions, to its normal break in noise and they just live with it. Don't know how this helps, but i figured i'd add to the census. Right now
I'm just living with it. If it gets worse ill do something about it.

 

I too had this same issue on my 2005 MCS. I had it in for its first service yesterday and mentioned it to them. When I went to pick it up they told me the fix was a flywheel replacement. They had to order it and I will have to go back in a week or two for the repair. Hopefully this will be the fix.

 

I had the same noise, a rattle that stopped when I pushed in the clutch pedal. It was a dried out or non lubricated throw-out bearing. It is a common problem for other vehicles. I sell clutches at our NAPA store and have heard a similar noise. Went to dealer and the replaced my clutch assy and T-O bearing under warrenty at 10K. No noise now and super smooth shifting as well. Original clutch felt notchy. Might have had several fingers on the clutch out of alignment causing the T-O brng noise and stiff clutch. I've seen it happen on brand new clutchs, also where clutchs were not tightened in correctly. Hope that helps, it cured mine.

 

Just picked up a new 06 MC with 12 miles on it at Patrick Mini and drove back home -30 Miles.
When I got into my neighborhood I could distinctly hear a metalic chatter when I would lift off the clutch and accelerate gently from a stop. It would increase then go away when you got to speed. It seems only in 1st or 2nd gear and It seemed to be non existent when I accelerated rapidly.

I just purchased this car to replace an 03 VW Golf TDI that was in the shop 3-4 times a year since it was new for various warranty and non warranty issues...

Someone please give an new owner hope and encouragement this is normal and my car will outgrow the noise!!

 

My '04 MCS is in the shop now for a new flywheel... they had already replaced the transmission but the chatter continued. Who knows if this will end the noise

 

It will end the noise. At least it did in mine.

 

I have this too and I was just told I need a new flywheel after only 7500 miles on my 06 MCS. I would have thought they had this issue fixed by now. I had the rattle on my 03 MCS around 9000 miles and they replaced the flywheel/throwout bearing in that one. The BUT is, MINI USA has this item on backorder from Germany and it will take another couple of weeks till they get the new (hopefully) improved flywheels in. Are there any other 06 MCS owners that have had to have their flywheels replaced???