Okay over the past few days I have noticed the car starts to move later and later in the process of releasing the clutch. I don't know for a fact where the engage point was when I got it but this is kinda weird because it is less 2in from the clutch being let out entirely.

I drive my car aggressively, but don't do burnouts, and I mean that's a big NO. I know burnouts can cause the clutch to go sour real quick, but I don't know if that's what's happening here since my car has only about 11.5k on it.

Anyone know what's going on?

Mikey

 

you don't need to be doing donuts to wear out your clutch.

 

Do you feather or ride it? Are all your shifts smooth, and rev matched? Test drive a new MINI and feel where it is, this is something that could just as well be mental not physical as it is a gradual change. Burnouts deystroy a clutch in several feet, not 11.5k miles.

 

I don't ride it at all. My foot is always on it, because I am almost always in traffic, but when on the highway i put it on the foot pad thingy. When I shift hard which is about once a day, sometimes I have the tendency to drop it a little hard but other than that I can't see any reason for this to act this way.

A problem I face with test driving is I'm not yet 18, thus I can't do it. This is definetly different though, I remember it being much lower when I first got it.

Mikey

 

What do you mean your foot is always on it? Do you mean ONLY when in the process of shifting or "alway on it". In other words, your foot should NEVER be on the clutch EXCEPT when actually changing gears ... Lots of people sit in rush hour traffic. You can keep the car in neutral while sitting and only engage when actually needed.

I assume your symptoms mean that the friction point is getting higher. I thought MINI clutches were self-adjusting. However, from Bentley it does say "...long pedal free-play can ... indicate problems with the clutch hydrodynamics." It then goes on to say flush the clutch fluid and if that doesnt work, replace the hydraulic parts.

 

I mean I rest my foot on top of the pedal, without any pressure, in between shifts when in traffic. Also if Im at a complete stop I will most likely have my car in 1st with the clutch all the way depressed.

Mikey

 

I would say both are not good practices. Take your foot off the clutch ... dont even think about it.

As to lights, I have read thats also not a good idea although I dont know how long before it does damage. usually, just drop it into neutral and then shift to first to leave the light. No need to sit there with the clutch in for a minute at a light.

 

Keeping the clutch depressed for an extended period of time (e.g. at stoplights) is not good for the throw-out bearing. Put the car in neutral, release the clutch and make sure you apply the (parking) brake.

During normal driving, it's probably best to hover your foot over the clutch pedal ready for the next gearchange rather than rest your foot on it (no matter how lightly).

 

It sounds like you may ocasionally ride the clutch subconsiously; at lights I just use the regular not hand brakes, flush the system and see if it helps. also not for the stop and go traffic instead of moveing every little bit ethier let the car in fron of you move a few spots jusing less clutch brake and gas also everyonce ina while you can just let the car sit in first and coast at 5 MPH (in 05 gearing); done right I can go miles without exceeding idle or using up the clutch, just letting the torque at idle rool the car along or having to stop b/c I let a large enoguh gap develop in front of me so they move as I reach them, of course I brake and go back to neutral when nessacary, also drive at off peake times when possible.

 

So should I take it to my dealer? I'm not overly concerned about it, I believe
the car should last two more weeks until I'm out of school and have more time to drive 3hrs to the dealer.

Mikey

 

If you lived in a real state (read: not IN) you wouldnt have to drive 3 hours to get to a dealer.

I have TWO dealers within 50 mins of me.

 

did i ask you to give me your opinion on my dealer? No I don't think I did...

 

Actually I wasn't talking about your dealer, I was talking about your state.

 

dude i will openly admit IN sucks that's exactly why in another year im moving as far from it as i possibly can, but this convo is for another thread, let's focus on my clutch here.

 

Fine...learn to shift better and your clutch wont die so fast.

How's THAT?

 

call your dealer most dealers are open on saterday and if your insurance covers rental cars most time the dealer will let you use a loaner car of same value as yours call and make an inqure on what they can do phone call dont take to much time the long you wait the more of a risk u run of barking down in the middle of no wear in the middle of the night

 

FYI the clutch generally isn't covered under warranty as it is a "wear item" like the brakes or tires.

 

so how much is this going to put me out?

 

Thats a good thing to ask the dealer when you call them. I remember one person was quoted 200 for parts, and was given a break on the labor cause the clutch was already out of the car when having a fylwheel issue covered under warranty.

 

call and ask your mini service advisor what is covered its part of the powertain so i would ask the mini service advisor before i would do anything

 

^^^^ good point, most who are eating up clutches are blowing them out at 20k or so not the 11K you have they might determine it to be improperly installed or something like that, remember they should inform you of cost before they ever turn a wrench so you'll know ahead of time, but be sure to ask.

 

I just had mine replaced. There is a TSB about the flywheel and clutch assembly. I had a little slipping and then a squeal from first year. My clutch had about 47K mi on it... I don't drive too hard on my clutch. I'll see if I can find the link to the TSB... If someone has it bookmarked, please post it up!

 

I just read through all of the TSB since 9/04 and didn't see it.

 

early clutch replacements are neither fun nor inexpensive. Ick. In any state.

 

Tell me about it. Just forked over $2500 for a new clutch and flywheel on a 2003 MINI with less than 40k miles. Do they make these things out of tinfoil or what???