13 replies to this topic

[haruko]

Year of your vehicle 1988
2. Model of your vehicle Mini Mayfair with a A+ 1275 engine 
3. A detailed description of the problem and anything you have tried to fix the problem.

We went for a 320Km drive yesterday then 3km before coming home stopped off at the shops and found first to be hard to engage, then about a km later at the lights she stalled while in first, I got her going again and go a little bit further till I had to slow down and then I couldn't get into second any more either, in a panic ground the gears for a a second or two, I'm hoping that hasn't buggered 2nd gear. Had her towed to my Mini place. Didn't have any tools on me so didn't look at anything.

Someone told me it might be the clutch hydraulics? After doing a search on here seems that likely, but why did it fail so abruptly after working the whole way up and down the line? 

 

 

I might take some pictures this afternoon when I go check up on her

 

[Austin mini 30]

Could be air in the system- may need bled. Also could be the seals on the slave cylinder,  or the pipe "ballooning"

[Austin mini 30]

You probably just as well to replace the slave cylinder whilst your at in, bleed it and see what happens

[robminibcy]

almost certainly clutch hydraulics. I had mine go on the way to work a while back and after doubting myself for  few sloppy gear changes realised it was infact the car! still nursed it the 30 miles home though!

 

It will probably be the rubber seals in either your slave cylinder or master cylinder. you can replace these cheaply but if there's any other damage to the bores or you have any doubt id replace the whole cylinder.  if you get someone to press the clutch while you look at the clutch arm it should move but in this case probably wont hence the problems. Which ever one has failed you will probably find hydraulic fluid seeping out a bit. they can and do fail just from age and wear and tear it is rubber at the end of the day so wont last forever. I personally would replace what ever has failed but also give the rest of the system (master cylinder, hose, slave cylinder) an over haul as the chances are its all going to be equally worn out.

 

Air doesn't just "get" in to the system with out a reason a bleed may solve the problem temporarily but wont fix the problem.

[haruko]

Thanks gives me an idea of what I'm up for, is air in the system a common problem? What causes it after running fine for a while? 

If it is the slave cylinder or pipe at least it will be a do it now and it's done

[Austin mini 30]

mine is exactly the same justnow actually, you could back bleed it if you wanted. Ive done this on tractors before and it works well. Get a new oil can, put the correct fluid in it, connect it to nipple and all the air is forced to the top.

[robminibcy]

Thanks gives me an idea of what I'm up for, is air in the system a common problem? What causes it after running fine for a while? 

If it is the slave cylinder or pipe at least it will be a do it now and it's done

no not very common but caused by a failure of a pipe or seal/seals so that air can get in/ fluid can get out. it will happen to all after a certain amount of time, some people will rebuild as part of maintenance with new seals or during restoration. they should last a good while, mine was on 92000 and 33 years old when it went and I doubt it had ever been replaced before. it will have happened purely from age/ wear same as any rubber part

 

its all very easy to work on if doing it yourself and shouldn't be too expensive even if a garage does it.

Edited by robminibcy, 26 April 2014 - 11:07 PM.

[haruko]

That's good to hear, I'll get it done by the garage I think this time, my tool kit has is a bit lacking atm.

Seems to have have failed a while before yours but hey

[Daz1968]

It can also be the arm worn although failed hydraulics more probable, so if hydraulics ok check the arm for wear

[Dusky]

Probably failed slave , cheap fix :)

[AndyR]

I have also experienced the throwout stop nuts coming undone, which led to the exact same issue you are having!

 

Just another avenue for you to check.

 

Andy

[Quicksilver-ash]

I'm having the same issue at the min but my mini has been stood for 2 year, iv changed the slave cylinder and flexi hose and then bled the system with no change so going to change the master cylinder this week hopefully

[haruko]

Just dropped the keys off to the garage, he was pretty confident he's have her all fixed up today. Didn't know which thing it was tho, will find out more tonight I suppose

[haruko]

So just to finalize the thread, it was a bung slave cylinder, they checked the master but that was okay. Cheap fix to and she's all happy again now.

Thanks everyone