24 replies to this topic

[smj]

I have just fitted another engine to my 1980 clubman estate, its a standard A series 1098cc engine with long clutch arm, its the same set up as the engine I have taken out. I connected the fitting for the clutch hydraulics, but am really struggling to bleed it up, the clutch was fine before, I am using my own master cylinder, and the slave is also the known good one i had with the old engine, i can bleed the clutch with a small piece of pipe into a jam jar with fluid already in it to see bubbles, but the fluid is just clear, i just cannot get any pressure on the pedal, if i pump the pedal up 10 times or so i can engage gears, so i do believe this is an AIR issue, any ideas???

[1977 Loud_Mini]

Do you have the (think it's called end adjustment bolt) adjusted correctly. As you probably know it's the bolt which the clutch arm sort of touches and needs a certain gap for correct clutch adjustment. If it doesn't have one then the arm has been pulled in towards the engine too much by the spring and therefore you are pumping it out until it disengaging the clutch.

Also i'm thinking it could be that you have a verto clutch and flywheel but someone has put on a pre verto clutch arm which would also have the symptoms you describe.

Evan.

[Cooperman]

When you fully depress the clutch pedal the top of the arm should move a minimum of 0.5". If it moves less than this, then it's a hydraulic proble. If it moves 0.5" or more, then it's a mechanical linkage issue.

[smj]

both engines are pre verto and have the correct clutch cover, arm and slaves, I will check the movement on the arm though, as I am sure the movement is miles more than 1/2". when the clutch pedal is up(not pressed), there does seem a lot of the pin showing from the slave

[smj]

Got a very strange(to me anyway) result to my clutch problem, I have removed the return spring from the clutch arm back to the slave, and the clutch works fine, no drag, no slip, ever gear selected without fuss, I have only had the car a fortnight and changed the engine this weekend due to the original one smoking badly, and the clutch before the engine change worked but didn't feel entirely "mini", so I am confused as to what I have achieved, and why my clutch does not require a return spring??????

[MRA]

Have you adjusted the adjustment screw correctly ? your symptoms suggest that the spring is pulling the arm further in than it should...

also why do you need to bleed a slave cylinder ? surely you just unscrewed it off the transfer case ??

[smj]

For some strange reason when i removed the old engine I never thought to just remove the slave from the transfer case, i foolishy unplumbed it and took it out with the engine so I could give myself more work!, I am looking at the adjustment this afternoon regarding travel etc etc, thanks for all your input

[MRA]

Have a look at this link before you fit it all together...
http://www.mra-minis...r-diagnoses.htm

[smj]

I have checked the ball for wear as per your link by removing the slave, pushing the arm out away from the engine and turning the nuts with a spanner and the arm doesn't move back in towards the engine at all. I have also had someone depress the pedal several times and with it held down adjusted the nut as per the haynes manual, and then with the pedal left off one more flat of turn, locked the nuts together, fitted the return spring and no clutch, remove the return spring and I have clutch again!!! The only thing i have noticed is that at some point in history my clutch arm has been been very slightly towards the engine, its not straight.

[MRA]

The return spring is not strong enough to make a big difference..... however the combined spring and diaphragm strength may be enough to allow fluid to push past the master cylinder seal, ie back in to the reservoir..... otherwise its splinter through too much head scratching.....

Have you got a hose clamp, the type used for clamping brake hoses to stop the flow ? clamp on the pipe and press pedal, tell us what happens ?

[smj]

hose clamped, rock hard pedal

[MRA]

When you add the spring on to the clutch arm your clutch dissapears ?

I checked the calender and it isn't April the first

[smj]

Honestly!!!!!!! when I add the return spring from the top of the clutch arm back to the nipple end of the slave cylinder my clutch actuation dissapears, as though paul daniels did it!!!!!!!!!, remove the spring, and the clutch works, June the 14th!!!!!!!!!!

[MRA]

what happens if you hold the clutch pedal down and watch the arm.... does paul daniels push it back in ..... no really please watch what happens once you have the pedal to the floor.... ??

[smj]

clutch pedal down, arm doesn't creep back towards the slave(spring removed)