Clutch/gearbox issues.
Turbo Mini Forums

Right, bog standard 998, whilst driving it goes into gear sometimes really smoothly and other times it doesn't want to go in at all. When you roll the car in neutral it rolls fine, if you put it in 1st with the clutch down it doesn't roll. If you push the car in this condition something is clicking inside the transfer case/clutch.
Once in gear it drives fine, sometimes it downshifts okay sometimes it doesn't want to go at all. It selects gear perfectly when the engine is off. I've just put this engine in the car after stripping it down and giving everything a quick once over. This isn't the first time I've rebuilt an engine but it's the first time I've had such a strange problem. Tonight I've pulled off the bellhousing to see if anything was visibly amiss, the clutch release bearing is noisy but spins freely and whatnot, the clevis pins are okay, the arm is okay, the ball on the arm is okay. The clutch plate wasn't new but had lots of wear left in it, the diaphragm looked newish too.
Forgot to mention It's a preverto setup. I'm pulling my hair out now. Help :(

Clutch hydraulics issue, fluid leaking from master or slave cylinder or just needs fresh fluid?

-MINI CLUBMAN 1380 TURBO-

To rule out the wet stuff measure the movement at the top of the clutch arm fully pressed down it should be 1/2 and inch.

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!

We don't have any leaking fluid :(

They don't die, they just get faster!

No leaking issues, plenty of movement at the top of the arm, I've bled the system until I'm blue in the face to no avail. I'm halfway through pulling the clutch, i feel it's something to do with the transfer case for some reason :/

And is it the correct hydraulic system for the clutch ?

ie all pre-verto parts ? Is the throwout nut adjusted correctly ?

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Yep, the right slave, throwout set, etc etc etc. Just pulled the clutch and everything was on properly and in the correct order and the right way around. So that's the clutch ruled out completely unfortunately. Could it be an issue within the transfer case? Next thing is dump the oil and pull that off. Failing that it's the box, which I'll be mega pissed off with, as it was only taxed and motd yesterday,and it's already off the road :/

The symptoms you describe just sound like a clutch binding. Cant see how anything in the transfer case could be the problem.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Yeah, I don't want it to be the box but I can't find anything at all wrong with any hydraulics or the clutch assembly. Do you think it's worth throwing the clutch back on and changing the slave for a new one anyway? Even though I'm getting plenty of clutch travel and no leaks fluid wise?

What about putting the cover and mount back with a few bolts, but without the flywheel / clutch, try pushing it in gear then, see if the noise goes.

Right, been taking off the old hydraulics, replaced the master for the new one that came off my car, and a brand new slave just out the packet. Few things I noticed replacing them, the old slave had only one nut holding it down so it must have flexed upwards, also the pin that goes through the pedal was hanging out, so there must have been play there too. So I've put an R clip through that now after replacing the pin in the new master. Gotta replace the clutch/flywheel and then bleed up the system and I'll report back! Hopefully I don't have to change the box :/

Replace the clutch/flywheel?! Why haven't I been informed about this?

They don't die, they just get faster!

Not replace as in re buy, replace as in put it back!

We don't have domestics! This car has brought us close though

On 10th Jul, 2013 apbellamy said:

On 10th Jul, 2013 ShaunaFTW said:
Replace the clutch/flywheel?! Why haven't I been informed about this?

TM is no place for domestics

They don't die, they just get faster!

Shouldn't it be reassemble? . Sort of glad a looooot of stuff is pointing at the clutch instead of the box now, don't want him to be heartless again :(.

They don't die, they just get faster!

Box is dead.

Oh no.

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!

S'alright! I think we both accepted changing the box at the weekend although my brain refuses to accept it, I'm still convinced it's the clutch haha. He did truely break it tonight though. Poor mini, probably breaks a record the fastest car to be off the road after and MOT!

Edited by Shauna on 10th Jul, 2013.

They don't die, they just get faster!

i think its the clutch slave cylinder & pin adjustment as i had the same thing with my pre verto set-up

sometimes its just needing a longer clutch lever pin
(the bit that goes into the slave cylinder)

the pin needs to be right at the back of the slave cylinder, is it?

was it always pre verto your set-up too?


EDIT;
ok so what happened this evening then? Lol

Edited by WRLondon on 11th Jul, 2013.

Reading up on RTS Clutches

Well it reluctantly went in a few gears, drove it down the road to take insurance valuation photos, and back a couple times. Then adjusted the ignition timing, put it in reverse, and it wouldn't come out, nor with the engine off or anything. Started it up again and lifted the clutch up slightly and had to yank it out of reverse. Did this twice and gear selection is getting worse. No crunching or anything so I think the clutch is okay. Not good :/

nah your right does sound like the box :(
best of luck bro, thankfully you can pick up good 998's for around £30
good box and a spare

Reading up on RTS Clutches

We are getting one from someone we know for £50 but I'm told it was reconditioned no more than 10k ago and works perfectly so fingers crossed! I think he's spent most of today getting ready to take the engine out and depending on when he's got work depends when it will be changed.
I think I'm more anxious about the engine coming out this time because I'm not there to help and supervise .
Carl, if you scratch any more paint you will be fired!

They don't die, they just get faster!