3 replies to this topic

[nigel162]

Hi,

My mother’s 1990 Mini City, 998cc, which she has had from new, has developed an intermittent fault with the gearbox or linkages after the car was broken into.

From rest, 1st is normally OK, 2nd gear won’t normally engage. Then occasionally first gear won’t engage either. 3rd and 4th work OK.

However, when first does not engage, often, putting it in 3rd, then 4th, whilst the car is still stationary, often does the trick with first, but not often with 2nd.

Whilst trying to get it up the ramps, (to look at the linkages) it had a tendency to jump out of first, but in 'normal' driving it does not jump out of gear.

Occasionally you can hear the ‘dogs’ just touching, so disengage at that point.

It seams as if the linkage rod when twisted for 1st/ 2nd, has insufficient length of travel to engague the gears.

In terms of mileage it has just done 20,000 miles, but the verso clutch was changed last year because it was slipping badly. Always used for short journeys almost on a daily basis. All the rubber engine/subframe/ remote mounts are all original, as are the subframes. Very high on originality but it does have ‘battle scars’ on most panels.

What would you deduce/guess is the likely cause of it not getting into 2nd or 1st?

What is the length of travel on the linkage is it between 1st and 2nd, and is this the same as the length of travel between 3rd and 4th

Than you for your assistance

Nigel

[fikus01]

hmm, i suspect the engine steady bushes may be worn giving you excessive engine movement that may in turn be pulling you out of gear.

also on top of that the clutch fluid level may be getting low and the system may need bleeding out, this can leave you with not enuf clutch disengagment to allow the selection of gears, like the clutch may be dragging some of the time, pumping the clutch can help this as long as the level is ok but it will nee bleeding.

[Guess-Works.com]

Yes the throw on 1st/2nd is the same, I would check that the upper rod is still attached and not damaged, but other than that sounds like baulking which generally means engine out and gearbox off..

[taffy1967]

It could also be due to worn/damaged selector forks perhaps, but try the suggested new engine steady option and treat it to an oil change with something good for the Mini engine/gearbox like Duckhams Q Classic 20W/50 and then see how it goes.