EDIT: Turns out it was a motor mount issue, which was fixed under warranty. No biggie!

This is a long one, but please read! I need help!

Last week I took my car into MoS for its first service. I mentioned a knocking noise coming from the passenger side (only when the engine is completely warm). There was also a chattering coming from the driver side, but I dismissed that as the "typical throw-out bearing noise," that many Mini owners have experienced, seemingly without any actual damage occuring.

Mini of Sterling claimed I needed a new flywheel, so they replaced that and the clutch. I went and picked up the car. The throw-out bearing noise was fixed, but by the time the engine was warm, the passenger side noise was there. It hadn't changed one bit.

I notify them the next day and take a day off work to drive the car down to have someone ride along with me to verify there is a problem. The Assistant Service Manager agrees there is an issue and says it's probably the right-front motor mount. Unfortunately, he couldn't look at it until today!

So I pick the car up today. They claim the flywheel (which they had just replaced), was mounted incorrectly and had to be re-seated. I drive it around the block a few times until the engine is warm to make sure the problem is gone for sure. The knocking noise was still there, but very faint. I didn't want to be an a-hole, so I left, feeling the problem had "pretty much" been fixed.

By the time I got home (15 miles away), the knocking noise was back, and just as loud as it was before.

I'm going to call the Assistant Service Manager tomorrow and will be bringing my Mini in for the 3rd time regarding this issue.

What should I do to ensure this problem is resolved? It seems like they're just grasping at straws.

 

As long as they are making a good faith effort to come to grips with this problem then a little patience would help.

 

First of all, I think your thread title is harsh and misleading. They aren't refusing to look at your problem, they haven't given you bad service, they just haven't fixed the problem yet. Some problems are more difficult to diagnose and fix than others. I'm having occasional sounds that are likely a flywheel issue too - and they (MoS) already explained to me that it can be difficult to lock down. There is a service bulletin on it, and apparently the bulletin does have something about escalation up to MINIUSA if the problem persists. (meaning the dealer should contact them)

In any case, don't give up - I'm confident MoS won't either. Their service has improved tremendously since Chuck Joffe was hired back from MINI of Towson.

Now, can I please rename this thread for you? Perhaps "Flywheel problem - still not fixed!". or something like that.

Also - I'm moving this thread to the 1st Generation Stock Problems / Issues, since you have a 2006.

 

It sounds like they're trying hard to fix the problem, but just cant seem to track it down. sorry its taking so long for your MINI to fixed, I hope they find the problem

 

Sure. I guess I'm just stressed not because of the actual service performed, but the demeanor of the staff (complaining that it costs them $40/day to give me a loaner, etc.). Also, because it seems like they keep looking at the same thing. If they replaced the flywheel and clutch and it was making the exact same noise, why would it still be the flywheel and clutch, you know? It could be something stupid like an exhaust hanger or something.

Change the title if you like.

 

Hey there,

Just a guess .. but is it a ticking sound from the pass side?? If so have them check the harmonic balancer for internal seperation. It took my dealer several days to figure it out on mine.


Good luck

 

I think this thread needs to be moved to the first generation problems and fixes.