It's been about 9 months since I had a rebuilt gearbox put into my MkII, and it recently seems to have developed a grind when I try to put it in reverse while the engine is running. Sometimes putting it in neutral, and pumping the clutch pedal will solve it, and it goes in smoothly. It could be my imagination (I hadn't driven it for a month while away), but it seems the it's much stiffer going into the other gears, as well, but no grind at all. What are some things that I could be checking before doing the long drive to the Mini mechanic? Thanks for any info.

 

If pumping the clutch helps then your clutch hydraulics are not functioning 100%. They could just need to be bled or you could have a leak on the master/slave cylinder. This is a pre-verto assembly I'm guessing? If so it could also just need adjustment.

 

start simple ... check the fluid level

 

The fluid reservoir was down about 1/4. I filled it and it seems a bit better. Still, to avoid the grind putting it into reverse, a good 3-4 pumps on the clutch peddle will do it. Sound like bleeding, or adjusting, is next? What goes into the adjustment process?

 

I'd bleed

if an adjustment issue, pumping should not make a difference

adjustment procedure is short . . . see Haynes page 1.16, item 22

PM if you don't have a Haynes yet . . .

 

Mine started doing this, I bled it and it would be fine for a bit then get worse again, but it never leaked a drop, and as I had already rebuilt both the master and slave cylinders I was at a loss. Finally replaced the slave with a new one - problem solved. Oh, and I depress the pedal, I don't peddle my car! :-)


I still don't understand how it can suck air and not leak fluid, but there you go.


If you don't have any fluid on your pedal, the linkage or the carpet under the clutch pedal, it's probably the slave.


The reason it doesn't grind in the forward gears is that you have synchros on them - wears the synchros mightily tho.

 

it could be a Clutch master or slave cylinder weeping.......to check the master for leaks you will need to put your hand up inside the by brake pedal and use a strong torch you will see where the brake and clutch pedal attach ti the cylinder put hand in recess and feel the bottom of the clutch to pedal pivot pin if wet then your clutch master need new seals.......also look a slave and feel round rubber boot for fluid........

 

My slave was dry as a bone, yet it still sucked air and wouldn't shift, a new slave fixed me right up. Point being, if it's not leaking out of the master like mk1leg described - replace the slave - they're not expensive and I'll bet it will cure your ills.

 

I went to the Queen's English Car Show in Van Nuys today and got lots of help from Mike of MOALA. After bleeding the line and adjusting the clutch is seems fixed. Nice to get in touch with so many other Mini fanatics. Thanks for all of your suggestions, too.