21 replies to this topic

[surfblue]

I always have and always will start with the clutch depressed, period.

As above, its been ingrained in me for almost 30 years, cant see me changing now!

[Cooperman]

I had to repair the damage done to the thrusts on a Cooper 'S' which was run in the Winter with 20w50 oil and started in very low temps with the clutch pushed down. It stripped the thrusts, damaged the crankshaft and did no good at all. Repair costs were high as well. Remember, the oil feed to the centre main bearing has to feed the main bearing, two big end bearings and the thrust bearings, whereas the end main only have to feed one main & one big end each.

Never start a Mini with the clutch disengaged (i.e. pedal pushed down) as the load from the clutch diaphragm goes straight onto the clutch side of the crank thrust bearings.

If you can't be trusted to check the car is out of gear before starting the engine, one might wonder whether you are safe to drive at all!

[albo]

i would of thought that most wear on thrusts are down to driveing habbits, as in clutch down waiting at traffic lights, traffic ques, ect, rather then starting engine with clutch down, unless your stopping and starting all day long.

[L400RAS]

Now, I don't know who is right (you've got to do it one way or the other...), but given the choice of destroying the thrust washers, or burning out a starter more quickly, I choose to burn out the starter - it's only two bolts to replace, (or a possible repair when off the car).

Edited by L400RAS, 25 June 2014 - 06:03 PM.

[Cooperman]

You won't burn out a starter by starting with the clutch pedal up.

When sitting with the engine running and the clutch down the oil is already being delivered from the centre main to the thrust. When initially starting it is not. It really is as simple as that. I have re-built so many engines with excessive crank end float caused, I firmly believe, by stating with the clutch spring forces acting upon the thrust bearings.

But in the end it's personal choice.

[Richie83]

Whole new can of worms, but what's the consensus of putting the car in or out of gear without the engine running? I take it this is safe? I do this on hills, parked up in public etc

[Cooperman]

I always park with the car in gear and the handbrake off. This stems from having Minis in the Winter when the handbrake would seize on.