# Mini Cooper - engine noise in second gear **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mini, cooper, engines\ **Created:** [March 14, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763 "2009-03-14T20:07:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![McClellanSanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@McClellanSanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/McClellanSanders)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763/1 "2009-03-14T20:07:24Z")
We recently had our clutch and master cylinder replaced in our 2003 Mini Cooper. Everything seems fine, but now the engine makes a knocking sound between 25 and 30 mph in second gear if you’re going uphill at all. The mechanic checked for anything loose in the clutch and of course it wouldn’t make the noise when he was in the car. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763/2 "2009-03-14T20:39:23Z")
The discription of a knock while going uphill fits very well with a low octane fuel induced knock. Are you using the required grade fuel? is preminum required or only recommended? In any case one has to wonder why the knock sensor is not comming into play. ---
**Author:** ![McClellanSanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@McClellanSanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/McClellanSanders)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763/3 "2009-03-14T21:36:10Z")
The thing is, the noise started after we had the new clutch put in. We’re using the same grade fuel as always. Hmmmmm. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763/4 "2009-03-14T21:42:45Z")
AS a long time mechanic I have seen it happen many times a customer relates a concern with their car with a recent repair and it throws you off track in your search. What fuel does your car call for? is it a Turbo?. Engine ping happens in that load range you speak of. ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763/5 "2009-03-14T21:47:57Z")
What grade of fuel is that? Does the car primarily make the noise in low RPM / high throttle opening situations? If it only happens in 2nd and no other gear, then it’s probably transmission related. Since it’s front wheel drive car the transmission is basically occupying the same space as the engine so if the transmission is making noise it could very easily be misinterpreted as coming from the engine. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763/6 "2009-03-15T15:25:52Z")
I believe that every Mini, regardless of induction, requires high test ---
**Author:** ![McClellanSanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@McClellanSanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/McClellanSanders)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 1:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763/7 "2009-03-17T01:01:24Z")
It’s not a turbo. Could it be the transmission? I’ve never had this sound before the above repairs. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763/8 "2009-03-17T02:11:21Z")
I am bailing right here if the OP doesn’t say what grade of fuel he is using. ---
**Author:** ![McClellanSanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@McClellanSanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/McClellanSanders)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763/9 "2009-03-17T03:10:53Z")
Regular. As we’ve used since we bought the car. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 11:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-engine-noise-in-second-gear/27763/10 "2009-03-17T11:04:13Z")
Try a tank of premium. See what happens. Also check the oil level and consider changing the oil.