Help! Clutch and gearbox problem!

[gemusan]

I have a 04 Cooper S w/ 28k miles on it. About 1000 miles ago my gearbox start having problems. Here are some symptoms:

1) The gearbox is very very very stiff. It's a workout to put the car in 1, 2, and sometimes 3rd. Always.

2) Sometimes I can't put the car in gear. I have to release the clutch and try pushing again. Intermittent.

3) Going into reverse sometimes makes a LOUD grinding/tearing sound. Intermittent.

4) The clutch is very hard. Always.

I took it to Crevier Mini last week and they said it's probably an abused clutch and that it's not covered under warranty. Anybody know if something else could be causing this? I don't want to spend $1,500 on a new clutch at only 28k miles.

[West9]

New clutch and gearbox time im afraid, mine was like that, and I had to replace mine a few weeks ago...

Obviously the last owner ragged it to an inch of its life..

[gemusan]

thanks for the reply. Someone else told me this could be a pressure plate issue or a bearing issue, which is covered under warranty. The dealer charges $700 just to diagnose the problem, so I'd like to get as much insight as possible before I take it in.

[roland2003]

Hi ,if pushing the clutch a second time helps,then it sounds like air in the hydraulics. Try getting it bled first or worst scenario a new slave cylinder (no big deal). Failing that a new clutch, I dont think you have a gearbox problem.
Best Regards Roland GTT

[West9]

Yeh, getting it bled is also an idea.. but from my knowledge, dont they change both? beecause they have to get the Engine and Box out to actually do the clutch?

As well, if you're having to double clutch constantly, isnt that another sign that the clutch is dying anyway?

[gemusan]

I'm hoping it's a non-clutch related issue like a failed slave cylinder or hydraulic which is covered by the warranty. I don't shift aggressively and I don't launch the car, so I don't see why the clutch would wear out by 28k mile...