17 replies to this topic

[007xico]

Hi, 

I have a Mayfair 998 from 1989.

 

For the last few days i noticed that my clutch was getting lighter but still no problem selecting gears .

 

This morning turned it on and can't select any gears , just make noise and won't go in .

When off i am able to select all gears with or without the clutch pressed .

Engine has been behaving weird too, only starts if i pull the choke cable and i can hear it jumping up and down for a few minutes.

 

But i have another problem , find a mechanic that is good with Mini in Worthing West Sussex .

The mechanic I use, charged me £260 to change water pump and another £160 to change oil and filters. 

They quote me £240 to change bearings and cv boot but I SAID no and done it myself .

 

So been doing maintenance myself and so far managed. 

 

But obviously gearbox and engine are a lot more complicated .

[Dzmarc]

I would suggest you check the Clutch Master Cylinder with regards to the clutch as it sounds very much like an issue I had recently. 

 

Easy way to check is to undo the clutch master cylinder cap, A) you'll be able to see if you have fluid and B) if you then pull in the clutch arm, this will tell you if you have air in the system. 

This may solve your issue, if not I would A) replace the master cylinder, you can pick the plastic reservoir ones up for around £40.

 

Hopefully it is nothing more serious. 

[dyshipfakta]

I changed my water pump for 25 quid that includes new coolant.

[007xico]

I would suggest you check the Clutch Master Cylinder with regards to the clutch as it sounds very much like an issue I had recently. 

 

Easy way to check is to undo the clutch master cylinder cap, A) you'll be able to see if you have fluid and B) if you then pull in the clutch arm, this will tell you if you have air in the system. 

This may solve your issue, if not I would A) replace the master cylinder, you can pick the plastic reservoir ones up for around £40.

 

Hopefully it is nothing more serious. 

Been playing around with the clutch and found out that the master cylinder is detached from the pedal.

Don't know how that happened and can't find any pin or screw near the pedals .

 

Removed the master cylinder and going to buy a new one. I will let you know how it goes .

 

Mind you didn't know anything about cars until 4 months ago. 

[ChopperHarris]

Surely you would attack th M/C with a new clevis pin and split pin before buying a new MC?

[007xico]

Surely you would attack th M/C with a new clevis pin and split pin before buying a new MC?

 

Surely you would attack th M/C with a new clevis pin and split pin before buying a new MC?

I inserted a screw and pressed but same problem. So i figured somehow got damaged.

 

I figured would be better replace it for £45 , instead of paying £50 an hour for the mechanic to find where the fault is.

 

I hope that's the problem, but find it strange that with the screw didn't work either.

I am wondering where the hell the pin is????

[mingy]

 

Surely you would attack th M/C with a new clevis pin and split pin before buying a new MC?

 

Surely you would attack th M/C with a new clevis pin and split pin before buying a new MC?

I inserted a screw and pressed but same problem. So i figured somehow got damaged.

 

I figured would be better replace it for £45 , instead of paying £50 an hour for the mechanic to find where the fault is.

 

I hope that's the problem, but find it strange that with the screw didn't work either.

I am wondering where the hell the pin is????

 

Probably hiding on the subframe somewhere, i have found washers etc on mine even when i have driven it for miles after.

[Dzmarc]

Just some advice on replacing the master cylinder as it can be a bit of a fiddly one unless you have tiny hands.

 

You will need to but a new pin and clevis pin (or you could go with an R pin)

 

1) Remove pin from pedal (obviously yours is not there so done) 

2) Unbolt the two retaining nuts

3) Unscrew and remove the pipe from the top of the cylinder

4) Now you can remove it. - If you are replacing the gasket then not a problem but if not be careful not to tear it. 

 

5) I would lower the heater matrix this should hopefully now give you some room to get the blasted new pin in. 

6) You may have to move the pedal to align the holes at which point you need to hold them and then hopefully get the pin through. I found this best doing it from the passenger side.

7) Once in add the new clevis pin and bolt up. 

8) Bleed the system 

 

Hopefully you now have a pedal that works. 

You should feel it instantly. 

 

 

Hope that helps, shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. 

Good luck and if you get stuck i'm sure someone on here will be able to offer some advice.

[Zach P-D]

also check the slave cylinder, I lost all my gears when mine decided to piddle everywhere...

[AndrewT]

You're in danger of throwing money at random stuff. This will lead to you getting fed up at the cost and hassle of keeping your car running.

At least put a proper pin back in and then get someone to press the clutch while you watch to see if the arm moves. This will tell you if it's the pin, hydraulics or something else. Total cost 20p and 15 minutes of your time. That's got to be better than £50 and 2 hours changing something that might be fine.

Learn some basic troubleshooting - it's more useful than spannering skills.

[007xico]

You're in danger of throwing money at random stuff. This will lead to you getting fed up at the cost and hassle of keeping your car running.

At least put a proper pin back in and then get someone to press the clutch while you watch to see if the arm moves. This will tell you if it's the pin, hydraulics or something else. Total cost 20p and 15 minutes of your time. That's got to be better than £50 and 2 hours changing something that might be fine.

Learn some basic troubleshooting - it's more useful than spannering skills.

Thanks for The advice , I will think twice before buying new stuff next time.

I did make a few mistakes since I have the mini , like brake the windscreen when trying to remove the leftover glue from the lining . Take to the mechanic to replace water pump and paid £250 + take it to change the filters and oil ( when I could do it myself ) another £160 .

Anyway got the cylinder , replacing it tomorrow and bleeding the system . Hope it works .

[007xico]

Yes yes yes 

 

Changed the master cylinder and went on to bleed the system. No luck at first using the depress clutch an open nipple technique or sucking from the nipple.

Got one of those kits from halfords, where you plug it to the tyre, instant result.

No I have gears working.

 

Funny thing ended up with a flat tyre   , should have used the spare tyre 

 

Thanks to everyone that helped me.

[007xico]

Help needed again.

 

Changed the master cylinder and bleed the system, the gears were smooth again, they were really good.

Next few days started to get worst, like when slowing down , trying to go from 3rd to 2nd or 2nd to 1st , they became hard to to go in, but no grinding.

 

So changed the slave (what a pain) and the flexible hose , still feels the same. I bleeded and the oil comes out without air , so i close the nipple.

 

Any ideas???

[Coxie]

Not related to your clutch but if you found the pin for the slave to clutch pedal detached do have a look at brake pedal to master cylinder pin too.
Just incase it was put on by the same person that did the clutch one.

[Dusky]

Metal pipe will be sucking air now, seems these aren't reusable with a new cylinder.. Had the same problem