15 replies to this topic

[GusRox]

My Mini is in for MOT tomorrow, started him this morning and he’s acting as though he’s in gear.  The clutch pedal is moving freely and the gear stick is moving okay… Any clues where I can look to resolve this?

 

Thanks 

[sonscar]

See if the clutch arm is moving when you press the pedal would be my first move,fluid could have run out or leaked away.Steve..

[mad4classics]

My Mini is in for MOT tomorrow, started him this morning and he’s acting as though he’s in gear. The clutch pedal is moving freely and the gear stick is moving okay… Any clues where I can look to resolve this?

Thanks

Do you mean acting that way when in neutral? Or it won't go in gear?

Edited by mad4classics, 01 February 2022 - 05:07 PM.

[GusRox]

it was dark when I got home so I’m stuck for checking the lever movement tonight.

 

I realise I’ve explained it badly!  

 

In neutral, he’s not in gear.  The only way I can move him around is starting him in first… which is fine if I want to drive everywhere in first gear.  

 

So, it’ll go in gear when engine is not running, and although the clutch pedal moves, there’s no resistance.

 

I didn’t explain it well, sorry!

[Steve220]

With the car running, pump the clutch a few times and try to put it in gear.

[cal844]

If the clutch is stuck I find trying to start it in gear with the handbrake on helps free the clutch off due to the extra load on the motor.

If attempting this, make sure there is sufficient space around the car so it can lurch around as needed

Edited by cal844, 01 February 2022 - 06:58 PM.

[nicklouse]

First thing to do is as already mentioned. See if the arm moves when the pedal is pressed.

 

sounds like a seal has failed.

[bpirie1000]

Does it drip oil...... well more than normal......

Well on the clutch side and from the split pin under the clutch ?


Suspect internal issue though......... get the wallet ready.....

[GusRox]

Thanks to you all for your replies.  :)

 

There’s no extra oil around, other than the stuff Gus loves to splash all over his own engine.  Twas ever thus…

 

I pumped the clutch this morning while a friend had a look underneath and he couldn’t see anything moving.

 

Don’t know if that’s good or bad news…!

 

And I realise now my original thread title was terrible!  Sorry…

[GraemeC]

No offence but.... did your friend know where to look (if he really was looking underneath he wouldn't see much).

Looking into the engine bay, to the left hand end of the engine (as you're looking at it), there is a 'wok' shaped aluminium cover about 350mm in diameter with an arm that comes from a point in the centre of it and connects to the clutch slave cylinder.  The arm is either 100mm or 300mm long dependant on the clutch type.  This arm is what should move (at the slave cylinder end) when the clutch is depressed.

[MrE812]

Oooh - I've had this symptom - could not get the car into gear as the clutch would not engage.

Bled the clutch slave cylinder and problem solved.

Could be air getting in somewhere past a seal perhaps?

 

Guess you've already checked clutch fluid level?

Could be the slave cylinder has seized.

 

Hasn't happened again for me yet - may have been something with engine out-in etc.

(are we still allowed to call it a slave cylinder? clutch hydraulic actuator device...)

 

Did OP get through the MOT !!??

Edited by MrE812, 03 February 2022 - 06:48 PM.

[GusRox]

Thanks guys. 

 

Didn’t get MOT’d as it isn’t moving yet!  Got a mechanic coming on Sunday before I do something very wrong.  

 

Will keep you posted what it was.  

[bpirie1000]

My money is on the slave cylinder being stuck. Give it a look and see.. for the sake of 2 bolts and some wd-40 /plus gass to free it off i would have a look..


May also be worth tryi g i big ring ended spanner on the nut at the end of the bell housing. Give it a wiggle and see if that frres up the blighter

[jonlad]

Whereabouts are you Gusrox? maybe close to a forum member who wouldn't mind having a 5 minute look in exchange for a cuppa?

[bpirie1000]

https://youtu.be/Q42ONqRfEfE

Might be worth a look...for information and reference