16 replies to this topic

[Tda321]

I know that this question has been posted many times and I have trawled through many old posts but I need some opinions.

I purchased my first Mini just over a week ago, a 1996 SPI Sprite.

It has covered 38k miles but has developed the typical crunch when downshifting. Im by no means a mechanic but the synchro seems none existent going into 2nd and Im worried that Im causing damage. Double declutching doesn't help me and now 3rd has just started with the same problem.

Is this a tough job for someone with no experience to have a go at fixing? Am I best to send this off to a specialist? I do have patience and a big desire to learn about these things but I don't want to make more work for someone else!

Thanks for any responses.

Edited by Tda321, 07 May 2018 - 08:41 PM.

[dyshipfakta]

Maybe its just the clutch not disengaging properly if its more then one gear doing it. Maybe that the clutch hydrolics are not at their best and a grease up of moving parts and a bleed may help. That said I have never driven a mini that hasnt had a knackered second gear synchro.
Try double clutching and slowing your changes down. To repair a worn box isnt an amateurs job in my opinion better to send it to someone who knows what they are doing.

[Spider]

I'd definitely look at the clutch first to make sure that's working properly, however, given the year model of the car (and also taking in to account the low mileage too), I'm tending to think that the gearbox is in need of an overhaul.

 

Just considering the clutch here, when stationary, does it go in to Reverse OK?

[mikal]

They shouldn't crunch at all if you are double declutching correctly if your clutch is operating correctly...

[gazza01]

Before you go spending. just make sure the gear linkage under the car is all good, including the pin. Have you changed the oil recently. That can have some effect until it gets chewed up properly. Depending how bad it is of course. You can buy 15/50 oil i think by Morris oils, so it's a little thinner when cold.Good luck

[racingbob]

Maybe its just the clutch not disengaging properly if its more then one gear doing it. Maybe that the clutch hydrolics are not at their best and a grease up of moving parts and a bleed may help. That said I have never driven a mini that hasnt had a knackered second gear synchro.
Try double clutching and slowing your changes down. To repair a worn box isnt an amateurs job in my opinion better to send it to someone who knows what they are doing.

you have never driven a mini that hasn't crunched second gear. wow. mine dont

[cal844]

Maybe its just the clutch not disengaging properly if its more then one gear doing it. Maybe that the clutch hydrolics are not at their best and a grease up of moving parts and a bleed may help. That said I have never driven a mini that hasnt had a knackered second gear synchro.
Try double clutching and slowing your changes down. To repair a worn box isnt an amateurs job in my opinion better to send it to someone who knows what they are doing.

you have never driven a mini that hasn't crunched second gear. wow. mine dont

Mine do but only very occasionally when hot and at 3000 miles on the oil

[dyshipfakta]

Maybe its just the clutch not disengaging properly if its more then one gear doing it. Maybe that the clutch hydrolics are not at their best and a grease up of moving parts and a bleed may help. That said I have never driven a mini that hasnt had a knackered second gear synchro.
Try double clutching and slowing your changes down. To repair a worn box isnt an amateurs job in my opinion better to send it to someone who knows what they are doing.

you have never driven a mini that hasn't crunched second gear. wow. mine dont

Nope had 3 now driven 5 all late 80s early 90s and all have dodgy second gear baulk rings.
None of them will have ever had any kind of rebuild just honest used cars. All of them probably had similar recorded miles too 60-80k so
Not a problem you just learn to not rush it and double clutch. My current one doesnt bother me enough to bother fixing it.

Edited by dyshipfakta, 08 May 2018 - 11:34 AM.

[racingbob]

Maybe its just the clutch not disengaging properly if its more then one gear doing it. Maybe that the clutch hydrolics are not at their best and a grease up of moving parts and a bleed may help. That said I have never driven a mini that hasnt had a knackered second gear synchro.
Try double clutching and slowing your changes down. To repair a worn box isnt an amateurs job in my opinion better to send it to someone who knows what they are doing.

you have never driven a mini that hasn't crunched second gear. wow. mine dont

Mine do but only very occasionally when hot and at 3000 miles on the oil

change mine every 2000 vr1

[Tda321]

Thank you all for the suggestions.

Oil was changed just last week and reverse engages fine. The clutch feels okay and there are certainly no problems with first and fourth. Will get her on the ramps and have a really good look and let you know what I find!

[Retroman]

Guess you won't find any issue underneath.

 

PM if you need a quote for it doing, you might need a passport but you are not that far from us.

[Tda321]

Guess you won't find any issue underneath.
 
PM if you need a quote for it doing, you might need a passport but you are not that far from us.

Tend to agree.

Spot on will do thank you. Just mentally prepping for pulling the engine!!

[cal844]

Guess you won't find any issue underneath.
 
PM if you need a quote for it doing, you might need a passport but you are not that far from us.

Tend to agree.

Spot on will do thank you. Just mentally prepping for pulling the engine!!

Could it be a clutch issue, I doubt it but best to test to see if it is not a gearbox issue.

[Wiggy]

On my 2000 MPi, the synchro on 2nd was wearing out at 16k. And the gearbox and diff were absolutely knackered by 25k. So it wouldn't surprise me if yours was similar. The later the car, the worse they seemed to be.

You are blipping the throttle between the 2 clutch actions aren't you? You have to put the revs to roughly where they'll be when you've engaged the required gear. It takes a bit of practice.

[Wiggy]

Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs, by the way.