Clutch knackered (possibly) (none Turbo)
Turbo Mini Forums

Just attempted to start my MPI cooper however the clutch pedal is solid. The engine will start idle and I can put the gear stick into any gear however its not feeding the power to the gear box and therefore carries on idling. I am therefore assuming the clutch is knackered. Would anyone disagree with this?

Unless the above assumption is wrong does anyone know if an mpi verto clutch is any different from the normal Verto setup?

the flywheel is different...

i'd guess your problem is a seized clutch arm/plunger though dude. if its the arm get a big lever and lots of pentrating oil and free it off. best way to do it though is to completely remove the clutch arm and regrease it. the plunger could also be seized in the wok but a crowbar will sort it out :)

So the clutch is completely not driving - ie like your foot is on the pedal (but it isn't) ???

This MUST mean that (unless you park it up with a piece of wood between the pedal and the wheel, holding the pedal to the floor, and the clutch then siezed in this position) that you pressed it once, and as you lifted the clutch pedal, nothing happened... ??? ... ??? ... ??? ... ???

If this is the case - it could be the ball on the arm is worn, along with the hole in the plunger. This has then 'locked together' in the worn area (usually a dimple in the plunger hole).

A spray of WD40, and a rap with a hammer/lever will usually free it off. It will happen again though... Unless you replace the worn parts

could be also the slave cylinder is siezed in the out position

but my moneys on daves answer

Hi,
If the pedal won't press down,but you can put it in gear with the engine running, it could possibly be an exploded clutch. Have you had anything strange happen with the clutch recently?
Cheers,
Gavin :)

Edited by Bat on 6th Mar, 2006.

VEMs Authorised Installer / Re-seller. K head kits now available!

WB/EGT gauges. Click here for customers write-up

Visit www.doyouneedabrain.co.uk

My Mini build diary

I had a blockage in the pipe once. Pressed the pedal and the fluid wouldn't go back to the master cylinder keeping the clutch dissengaged.

Hi,
It seems there's no end to the unusual things that can happen, and take a lot of head scratching to figure out!
Cheers,
Gavin :)

VEMs Authorised Installer / Re-seller. K head kits now available!

WB/EGT gauges. Click here for customers write-up

Visit www.doyouneedabrain.co.uk

My Mini build diary

I've had exactly the same problem. It is (as has been said) most likely that the plinger is seised on the cover.

Mine used to do it after being stood for a while, but a bit of WD40 and a big bar to push it back and it'll work again. I use my car much more regullarly now and it's never done it again.

Wil

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

Thanks for all the information. It is very much appreciated.

Just to answer a few questions, nothing has been wrong with the clutch as far as I know, the car has been sat on the drive for two months in the crap weather and not been driven.

I pressed the clutch once to select first, the pedal then returned to the normal height, however no drive went to the wheels. I went to press the pedal again (assuming I had not put it in gear or something) however it was solid and unable to move (I didn’t want to try it again, in case I wrecked something else).

Therefore I think Dave and Benross could be on the money with that their answer. I will give it ago tonight, only problem being, I have to move the ecu and crap out of the way before I can get to it (lets hope it stops snowing).

Bloody mpi minis, why couldn’t it have waited 3 weeks till I move house and have a garage :(

Hi,
If it's been stood, definately pluger/arm stuck.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

VEMs Authorised Installer / Re-seller. K head kits now available!

WB/EGT gauges. Click here for customers write-up

Visit www.doyouneedabrain.co.uk

My Mini build diary