6 replies to this topic

[clemmo09]

Hello everyone. Just wondering if someone could help me. I was driving my mini the other day when the clutch bite started getting further and further to the floor and eventually the clutch bite went and know the clutch pedal is floppy. No feeling in it what so ever. It returns to top position. Any ideas?

[james753]

Hello,
The first thing to check would be for a split hose, or leaks in the hydraulic system, as this problem can indicate air in the system.
Firstly visually inspect all around the master cylinder, and slave cylinder, and the hose between the two for leaks, splits or cracks.
Secondly try pumping the pedal a number of times, and then see if the bite point is slightly higher.

Do you have any ability to select gears at the moment?

James

[clemmo09]

Okay i will try that. I cant select any gears at the moment.

[Cooperman]

Clutch system hydraulic failure. So it's either the master cylinder, the slave cylinder or the clutch flexible hose. Usually it's the slave cylinder which can be changed in 1/2 an hour. Master cylinder, if it's that, takes a bit longer as it's difficult to get the in order to remove the operating rod from the clutch pedal and re-fit the new one (tell me about it!).

[chrisandsarah]

You could try undoing the fluid hoses where they join half way between the clutch master and slave, mine wasn't quite sealed properly and kept every couple of days needing rebleeding.

Costs nothing to undo and put back together - though you will need to rebleed the clutch (11mm spanner job).

[clemmo09]

Okay well i took your advice and inspected the hydraulic system and couldnt see any cracked hoses. The master and slave looked in good nick so i thought before i buy a new slave ill bleed the system. It took me 10 minutes to bleed it as there was loads of air in the system. I can know ingage gears and it seems to be working alot better.

Any ideas why it would of had so much air in the system?

[tiger99]

It had air in the system because fluid is leaking. If you lift the rubber boot on the end of the slave cylinder and it is very wet in there, change the slave. They are not worth repairing. Otherwise get into contortions with a torch and mirror, to see if there is fluid leaking from the master cylinder, where the pedal attaches.

If it is the master cylinder, it is an awkward job to get it out, but it can be repaired if the bore is in good order.

If money is not too tight, it may be worth thinking about a new slave, hose and repaired master, as with the age of Minis they are all likely to have deteriorated.