wtf, i started up my car this afternoon and there was this grinding noise, like a ball bearing spinning in a tin can noise, it might be something loose or it might be the clutch, whatever it is it doesnt sound right, the car drives fine though.
the noise is fairly high pitched and disappears intermittently but comes back for no reason cold or warm.
i need to get it checked out asap, it sounds like a beater that needs to be fixed, kinda embarrassing, any thoughts here

 

blacks2k,

It sounds like the noise could be the throwout bearing on the pressure plate. Does the noise go away when the clutch is engaged (foot off the pedal)? If it is the throwout bearing, it usually makes a noise when you depress the clutch pedal and put pressure on the bearing.

Is the car moving when you heard the sound? If you can't hear the noise at a stop, it may be something other than the clutch ass'y. I have picked up small rocks in my disk brakes that really made some bad sounds before.

Good luck,
Bob

 

hey bob, u hit it on the head, it was a big nasty rock that got wedged in my rotor, what a hassle, got it fixed real quick, as i said, my honda service centre is great, phoned them in the morning, said i was gonna roll around later, they said cool. went there, pulled straight in, a mechanic hopped in, we went round the block, he said it was probably the brakes, put it on a hoist took the wheel off and fixed it in no time.
i was across the yard at bmw checking out the new mini, my impressions, it looks kinda ok- the girls love it, inside is VERY PLASTICKY however, but it is still good.
would only buy the cooper s if i had a spare $50k australian however (base is $39k, but with all the options, there is a legit $8k that u can spens plus on road, etc)