[Paul_T]

Hi Guys,
Past week I have noticed a clicking or ticking developing, in the past day or so it has gotten markedly worse.

I have put it down to the twist on the engine... for example...

Car is stopped with the handbrake on (tight), put the car in first gear and rev slightly and let the clutch out, something in the front (passenger side I think) clicks a bunch of times.

If I repeat this process it won't do it until.... I put the car in reverse and do it again it does the same thing, again.... it won't do it until I go back for first.

It also does it when slowing and I go back to second and release the clutch...

Also when reversing on take off, and then after that moving forward on take off.

Will also do it when I back off, for eg, load the engine up in second and backoff without clutching in, I can hear the ticking...

It all seems to be related to the movement of the engine and where the torque twists it... which leads me to the question... what part has failed causing this?

Cheers
Paul

[Paul_T]

Pulled this from another thread: Sounds relevant....

Quote: Originally Posted by ButtonIt (original)

If you "kangaroo" the car in first or second gear (repeatedly accelerate/deaccelerate in quick succesion) and you can hear the clicking then it's the engine mount. I've already had one replaced and it's now doing it again, just a year later



Warranty will fix it common problem. Search on here for more info

[Paul_T]

No one can offer me any advice here?

The car is at BMW now and the monkey's are all scratching their heads.

[Robboc]

Have a look at this thread in faults and fixes. It could be the harmaonic dampner thingumyjiggy. I have this problem with mine but I havent go it fixed yet as I have voided my warranty.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...ing-noise.html

[Paul_T]

Most the problems in that thread, the ticking is RPM related... mine is not related to RPM at all.

[Dave Elliott]

Just a suggestion.

Open the bonnet and have someone look see what the engine is doing (possibly excessive movement) whilst you replicate the clicking noise. They should be able to see where the problem is or at least pinpint the clicking sound.

Classic Minis were notorious for engine mounting problems and this is how the problem was diagnosed.

Dave

[Dave Elliott]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul_T (original)

Car is stopped with the handbrake on (tight), put the car in first gear and rev slightly and let the clutch out, something in the front (passenger side I think) clicks a bunch of times.

Of course you would be carrying out this (stationary) test not the others

[Paul_T]

Haha - yes... tried that Dave... engine was moving - but not excessively.

Clicking is/was coming from down in the engine bay on the passenger side (right hand drive vehicle).

BMW just called to say it's all fixed... it was apparently an issue with the driveshafts, they have re-greased and re-packed them and put em back in. Noise gone.

We'll see about that though... they are dropping the car back out to me today. I'll let you all know if they have actually fixed it or not.

[dsakko]

!!!!

Unless there is a major revision to the driveshafts I don't know about (which is quite likely ), the driveshafts in my MC are non serviceable. You buy them as a complete, sealed and balanced unit with one end that slots into your diff, and one end that slots into your hub.

If they're making noises (which would normally be at full steering lock, not in the straight ahead position) you'd replace them, not repack them. (Or worse still if you were paddock bashing, let a well known South Aus rally driver have a go, and they do a hand brake turn and rolls to a stop with no more drive But we wouldn't do that would we ).

[Paul_T]

Just called up for further clarification... They greased the spline that goes into the CV/gearbox.

I just took it for a drive - and it is definately a lot better... It clicked twice on my 3k trip... not nearly as bad as the 100 times it would have previously. May be unrelated.

I'll know better on my trip home.

[Dave Elliott]

If greasing the splines stops the clicking noise then it is one more item on the MINI that was not greased sufficiently in the factory.

Seat tilt mechanism is another item that quite often needs extra greasing.

I have my suspicions that the clutch pedal pivot may also need some lubrication to stop the notchy and heavy operation of the clutch pedal, but I haven't had time to check.

Dave

[Paul_T]

Suprise suprise... get the car back tonight and it's still going it.

I am really getting sick of the incompetence of these useless morons.

Back to the drawing board.

[dsakko]

[EDIT] Sorry - just realised I was totally off track! will retract my last statement.

Sounds more like clutch related then driveshaft. Looks like you might need to try another dealership .

[Paul_T]

Ok these guys are getting one last chance to fix it. They are pulling out the big guns to ensure it gets fixed now, so with a bit of luck they will.

[Robboc]

Read the last few pages of that link I posted. It appears a few have the same probelem as you, a clicking on and off load of the engine. A few had it traced back to the harmonic balancer, had it repaired and rectified. I do have this issue to and have done for a few months. I have voided my warranty with the things I have done to the car so I am looking at an expensive job i guess.

[Dave Elliott]

Perhaps it would be a good idea to mention whether there is only one click when the engine is put under load (as I had assumed) or a series of clicks (as Robboc assumed).

The former would suggest engine mount (or possibly axle) related problem, whereas the later could indicate a moving part ( such as the harmonic balancer).

Cheers,

Dave

[Paul_T]

Car is back at BMW again - I'm driving a 335i (the twin turbo six, and OMG!! They can keep the MINI for a while now).

They still think it's the driveshafts doing it. They have their top guy on the job now, he will do nothing until it's fixed, it's his responsibility to ensure it's fixed properly before I get it back.

[dsakko]

Whoa! Sweet deal!

Even if they drop your car back and it's better than any MINI you've ever driven, hand it straight back and say the problem's still there!

In fact, I'm prepared to drive over there and let you drive MY Mini so you don't have to put up with having to drive such a horrible car as the 335i.

[Paul_T]

Hahah - you should have seen the look on the guys faces this morning when I pulled into my carpark at work.

Guys keep lining up at my office door to ask for a ride in it...

"Rack off, I'm busy"

This thing is a weapon of mass accelleration!

[Paul_T]

Update from BMW - it's the other driveshaft now - so fingers crossed it's all fixed. I should have the car back tomorrow.

Now I am currently very unpopular at work as I refuse to let anyone near the 335i.