I am getting the "chewabaca" screech when Laaser is cold and only in first gear. I have about 46,000 miles so I figured I would get her looked at before warranty goes out and take care of any other little issues. Called the dealer where I bought the car and talked to a tech. He said bring it by Tuesday morning. I did. I get there of course the car is hot from driving for over an hour all the way from Oceanside so they said that they need for the car to cool down. No dud. Oh but we do not have any loaner cars can you bring it back Thrusday. I was pissed but I did.

Dropped off car Thursday morning. Got loaner. They call me today around 3pm to tell me that the tech and the foreman both agree that its the clutch and $1900 is needed. I called the tech back three times and left messages. Its now 8pm and no call back.

I doubt its the clutch?? No slipping and only when the car is cold? Gotta be the salve??No way I am having them do the clutch. For that money there has got to be a better aftermarket clucth. All right experts, what would you do. I would need to find someone in S. Orange County or better yet, North San Diego.



By the way, got brand new 3 series with sport package and only a 1000 miles on it for a loaner. Pretty fun to drive. The 3.0 liter really moves. I can only imagine what the twin screws feels like

 

If I were you, I'd just live with the problem. It's really more of an annoyance than anything, unless you really want to drop some money down to have the repairs done. Your best bet might be to take it to another local shop (aka non-dealership) and find out how much it would run you to get the work done. I've been dealing with the "ooorrrrttt" sound for a while now and I have yet to have a problem with clutch slippage or the like. I'd just set the money aside and have it available for when you do notice it getting worse and deal with it then.

GotMINI

 

I actually brought this up to my SA after the 3rd time of mentioning the sound and then going out with him and having the car not make the sounds (since the car was warmed up)

He said that the mini's clutch is knowns to give out little squeaks when it is cold or if there is a bit of condensation there. He said unless it is a re-occuring thing (i.e. every time i use the clutch) that it's probably not something I should worry about.

I've had the "ooorrrrttt" since 10K... I just hit 47K yesterday. Still no problems with the clutch.

 

Thaks for the feedback

 

This is very comforting. My clutch has begun making this noise the last couple of weeks. Love the Chewbacca description. I have an '03S with 34K.

 

To test your clutch. Make sure nothing is in front of you. Set you handbrake. Start engine and put xmission in 4th or 5th or 6th. Rev the engine to about 2500 rpm and dump the clutch.

If you engine dies immediately, your clutch is strong.

If you engine keeps on running, push the clutch back in asap. You need a new clutch.

YD

 

The sound we're all hearing (I have it on my 02 with 53k on it) actually has something to do with the flywheel. This is what was explained to me by a friend/Mini tech, and apparently it doesn't present any other problem other than an occasional "chewbacca/oooort/chari screech" sound.

 

Eeeee! That sounds painful!