pulling my hair out! - MINI Cooper Forum

Hawkerdinho · #1 (**permalink**) Jan 27th, 2013, 08:47 PM

Hi guys,

New to the forum, wonder if anyone can help me identify a noise!

I have a mini cooper 1.6.

Everything seems ok on the car until i took it on the motorway yesterday.

The Car is fine with no noise as i go through gears 1-3.

As i approach 65-70MPH into 4th and 5th the car makes a noise that i can only describe as a buzzing sound, like an annoying moped engine.

It sounds like it is coming from in front of the passenger under the bonnet.

Its strange as the noise does not happen out of gear when being revved. Just in 4th and mainly 5th and at high speed.

If im doing 70mph and im in 5th and lightly press the accelerator it is quiet, if i floor its so loud.

Help needed desperately!

Thanks in advance

mab01uk · #2 (**permalink**) Jan 27th, 2013, 10:23 PM

What year is your Mini? If it is pre-July 2004 it may be the Rover Midland gearbox bearings. The gearbox is on the passenger side and often makes a noise like a helicoptor when failing. If so don't drive as it could cause further damage beyond being possible to recondition on exchange.
More here:
Early MINI Rover Midland Gearbox - Forums

Hawkerdinho · #3 (**permalink**) Jan 28th, 2013, 08:14 AM

Thanks for the reply. Where is the best place to get this confirmed and diagnosed. Whats the going rate to fit an new gearbox?

mab01uk · #4 (**permalink**) Jan 28th, 2013, 11:57 AM

Check out the links in my previous post, any good garage should be able to diagnose and quote. £500-650 or less/more is possible depending on area of country and shopping around for a trusted mechanic.

Also try here for quote....they can collect and deliver if you wish or do it while you wait:
mini gearbox, gear fix - Mini recon gearboxes | BMW MINI cheap gearboxes

Hawkerdinho · #5 (**permalink**) Feb 11th, 2013, 10:37 AM

Hi guys, just thought i would give a shoutout to minigearboxes.co.uk

They were superb and got my Gearbox changed in just over 3 hours!

The only question i have is does a new gearbox have a bedding in periodm it seems quite stiff in 1st and 2nd and at times seems as if i have to crunch into 1st?

Cheers

dreammaker · #6 (**permalink**) Feb 11th, 2013, 12:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Hawkerdinho (original)

Hi guys, just thought i would give a shoutout to minigearboxes.co.uk

They were superb and got my Gearbox changed in just over 3 hours!

The only question i have is does a new gearbox have a bedding in periodm it seems quite stiff in 1st and 2nd and at times seems as if i have to crunch into 1st?

Cheers

don't actually think so! did you notice sth similar when your mini was new?! guess not!
Does the clutch feel good and does it disengage fully? I have seen similar issues when clutch was not disengaging correctly.. how is reverse gear going in?

Hawkerdinho · #7 (**permalink**) Feb 12th, 2013, 12:47 PM

Clutch seems be the problem me thinks! As i said i had the gearbox fitted last week. If im sitting at some lights in neutral, fully press clutch down, 1st is sometimes impossible to get into. if whilst still looking for first i lift the clutch up slightly, it slips into gear.

Reverse seems to be fine although very quiet, when putting into gear. You know that noise you normally get when putting it in reverse, thats gone, it now goes in like butter!

spikeyadrian · #8 (**permalink**) Feb 12th, 2013, 01:31 PM

I had a gearbox fitted by these guy's at the start of January and mine
is exactly the same!
Hope it's not a fault, it's not been fitted long!
Not sure how good a quality the clutch is?

Hawkerdinho · #9 (**permalink**) Feb 12th, 2013, 01:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by spikeyadrian (original)

I had a gearbox fitted by these guy's at the start of January and mine
is exactly the same!
Hope it's not a fault, it's not been fitted long!
Not sure how good a quality the clutch is?

Clutch was already fitted, they just swapped over the gearbox