10 replies to this topic

[handrews123]

I've just today got my mini started which had sat for 4 years. Over the moon until I tried to select a gear when it just wont go into a gear. when the engine is off it goes into gear perfectly. From what I can gather its the clutch but any suggestions? Many thanks

[Quicksilver-ash]

When you press the clutch how much movement you getting on the clutch arm?

[Ethel]

Have a look under the bonnet to see if the clutch arm moves far enough for the throwout stop (big nuts in the middle) to touch the clutch cover.

[handrews123]

I can see the clutch arm moving which I think should be fine. I think whilst its been sitting the clutch has rusted up so it needs unseizing. 

[KernowCooper]

I suspect the plate has rusted onto the flywheel, common on cars that have been on garage forecourts as well, if you can drive the car then put it in a high gear like 4th and press the clutch down and go on/off the power sharply does the trick

[handrews123]

So should I start it in 4th then?

[KernowCooper]

No select 1st and crank it and drive off and change through the gears obviously without the clutch, hold the pedal to the floor and go on/off the power in 4th

[dklawson]

I have had this happen on a couple of my older cars that see little use.  As Dave said you can usually break the friction disk free of the flywheel by a bit of driving.  The method I use is described below.

 

• Roll the car to a location where you can drive a short distance (100 meters or so), preferably on level ground.
• Select neutral and start the engine.  Let it run until it reaches running temperature.
• Turn the engine off.
• Select 2nd gear and push the clutch pedal down.  HOLD THE CLUTCH PEDAL DOWN and do NOT release it.
• Turn the key to start the engine.  The car will immediately take off.  KEEP THE CLUTCH PEDAL DOWN.
• FLOOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THEN TAKE YOUR FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.  This will make the car surge forward and back putting a heavy load on the friction disk.
• Floor and release the accelerator pedal every second or so until you hear a loud "BANG" indicating (along with your now free reving engine) that the clutch disk has broken free.

The hard part of doing this is remembering to keep the clutch pedal held down the whole time you are doing this.  If for some reason the clutch does not break free in 100 meters of driving, turn the key off and brake.  Select neutral, push the car around and repeat the process driving the other direction until you break the clutch free.

[handrews123]

I have been trying but no luck whats are my options?

[handrews123]

Take it back fully fixed! Thanks for your help!

[dklawson]

I'm glad you got it free.   So how loud was the bang?

 

The car I had this issue with had a cable clutch.  I got in the habbit of wedging the clutch pedal down when I knew I was not going to use the car for a long period of time.  I don't think that would work well on a hydraulic clutch like the Mini has but with the pre-Verto clutch you could have a friend deperess the clutch pedal and then place a spacer of some sort between the stop bolt and throw out arm to serve the same purpose.