9 replies to this topic

[Hendred]

Hi, I have a 1987 Mini Mayfair, I purchased the car which had been sitting static for sometime.  The clutch (verto) was non exsistent and found the slave cylinder was knackered so I have replaced it.  The clutch now feels as it should but it still won't go into gear with the engine running, it goes through all the gears with engine off.

 

Could it be an internal problem, thrust bearing like a previous post on the forum?

 

I am taking the engine out as I am restoring the mini but wanted the mini running ok before incase I needed to change clutch or anything major that would be easier with engine out so wanted to find the problems now, don't want to be changing the clutch etc once I have put the engine back in.

 

I know its difficult to diagnose from a far but any ideas would be gratefully received. 

 

Thanks

[ibrooks]

Almost certainly still a problem with the clutch.

 

If you put it in gear with the engine off and then try to start it does the car move?

 

If it will stay still with the brakes on once the engine is running with it in gear let the brakes off - does it creep like an auto in drive with the brakes off?

 

With the engine running and it in neutral with the clutch pedal pressed, slowly and gently try to put it in reverse - as it gets close to the gear can you hear the teeth clashing?

 

Obviously do this in a safe place and be ready to switch the engine off if it does set off - don't rely on the brakes to keep it from heading off down the drive/road or through a garage wall/door.

 

Iain

Edited by ibrooks, 30 May 2014 - 07:51 AM.

[mini mad lad]

if you have changed your clutch and slave it could be air in the lines and if not theres only the clutch arm and thrust bearing that it could possibly be.if you have access to a ramp with a jack you could lift up the front put it in first and start it and see if the wheels turn just to double check your clutch is ok. im sure many more know a lot more than me and they will be along soon to help out

 

good luck finding the fault

 

karl

[Dusky]

Do you get enough travel at the flywheel wok? ( Atleast 6.5MM)?

Otherwise probably worn pressure plate as the other parts were worn too. Easiest way to see is by inspecting wich is the easiest with engine out, though not impossible with engine in situ.

 

grtz!

[Hendred]

Thats great thank you, I will have a go and what you have suggested and update you later on, thanks again

[DomCr250]

If it's been standing for a long time then the clutch plate maybe rusted to the flywheel and or backplate.... it's a common issue with a lot of cars and just needs freeing off.

 

Find some where safe to drive it, warm it up.  switch it off, put in gear and get somebody to push start you, drive it slowly in 1st, then push the clutch down and brake at the same time .... it should free the clutch off.

 

May take a few goes but once it's free it will be fine.

[Hendred]

It does rush forward if started with it in gear, no chance of getting into gear while engine running though to hear teeth clashing.

[Hendred]

Sorry DomCR250 didn't notice your reply before I put the abovepost, that's helpful will give that a go

[CityEPete]

There are various methods for freeing a seized clutch, one I read that is less aggressive is to warm the car right up then turn it off, jam a piece of wood or similar to hold the clutch in overnight, the next morning often it will have released or at least come free easier when you go to the next stage of warming the car so it starts easy on the key, put it in 2nd gear before starting the engine with a clear run infront of you, hopefully it will let go after a few goes. I have read many pros and cons for each method over the years.

Before doing anything I would get someone to press the pedal whilst you watch to see if it looks to be giving the full throw on the arm.

Edited by CityEPete, 30 May 2014 - 06:03 PM.

[handrews123]

This happened to me. What i did was loosen the bolt on the clutch house that controls how far the clutch arm returns so that it was as far out so in effect the clutch was engaged permanently. I then, when the engine was off, put it into second and started it in gear. Next you want to get some space where you can just put your foot right down on the throttle and take it off quickly whilst putting the breaks on. Just keep going driving in second quickly accelerating and the stopping and repeat until the engine will suddenly freely rev and then tighten up the bolt on the clutch housing again and your good to go hopefully.