1st Gen R53 Cooper S First to second gear shift noise

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by fishmonger, Nov 9, 2015.

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  1. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    #1 fishmonger, Nov 9, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2015
    while we're talking noises - is it just my car, or is it normal to hear a distinct "engaging" clunk sound when going from first to second gear? All other gear shifts are much quieter on my car. It's not very loud, but if you pay attention, it is definitely there.

    It's always been like this since I bought it.

    Related question - anyone using Royal Purple Synchromax transmission oil? Not sure what weight it is, but I read on some other forum that people are happy with it.

    Right now there is Redline MTL in it from the last owner. Probably lots of miles on it already.
     
  2. Canusrufis

    Canusrufis RMW Powered R53
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    #2 Canusrufis, Nov 10, 2015
    I do not have a clunk noise between 1/2 or any gear for that matter. Probably good idea to check it, replace it or what have you.

    Do you have the original engine mount?
     
  3. Eric@Helix

    Eric@Helix New Member
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    #3 Eric@Helix, Nov 10, 2015
    You have a second gear synchro that's probably starting to wear out. The RP Synchromax is simply better at dealing with chunky or notchy gearboxes than other fluids. Give it a try: it's a relatively cheap experiment, and one that has worked for me.
     
  4. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    #4 fishmonger, Nov 10, 2015
    original (new parts) engine mounts on the car, tried the silly poly stuff but had my rear hatch vibrate like it was possessed, so I went back to stock on the bottom mount.

    Really not a great sign of durability to have a synchro wear out at 90k miles, but I bought it from a guy who auto-crossed the car, and I bet there's a lot of hard low range gear changing going on when flinging a Mini around cones on a parking lot.

    I already have the purple stuff in the garage, just haven't had time to properly warm up the car on a day with room in the garage to do the fluid change, but that will be on my immediate to-do list. Maybe this weekend.
     
  5. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #5 Metalman, Nov 10, 2015
    ^^^ Always remember to take the fill bolt out first... Then the drain bolt...:D
     
  6. quikmni

    quikmni Moderator

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    #6 quikmni, Nov 10, 2015
    I have always had a slight clunk from 1st to 2nd in both my 2003 R53 and my 2006 R53. Many years ago, with my 2003 R53, I questioned the dealership, and they said that it is normal. Of course I really did not believe them but I have not had any bad consequence due to the clunk. My 2003 R53 only had about 50,000 miles when it was totalled. My 2006 R53 has 93,000 with no issue so far. I changed that transmission oil to Redline at about 75,000 miles and that made no difference in the clunk.

    Seems normal and not an issue to me.
     
  7. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    #7 fishmonger, Nov 11, 2015
    I guess I will find out when I swap fluids if Redline and clunk are normal compared to Royal Purple and clunk.

    It is definitely not a sound that appears to be related to gears engaging poorly. There's never been a gear tooth-to-tooth crunch. I think it has more to do with how shift forks work between those gears and then it would be normal. I'm just paranoid, I guess, and probably looking for another reason to take out the gearbox and put in an LSD while checking those synchros :)
     
  8. slipmagt

    slipmagt Member

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    #8 slipmagt, Dec 11, 2015
    My car makes a bunch of noise when changing from first to second. Its very clearly mechanical noise of the linkage and all that working. Trans has very fresh redline fluid in it as I just did a clutch job.
     
  9. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    #9 fishmonger, Dec 11, 2015
    Got more than 50 miles on the purple Synchromax stuff since changing the fluid, and it appears much quieter and overall shifting is smoother than with the Redline MTL stuff that was in there before (maybe 40k miles on it).
     

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