I'm having issues with my gearbox. It crunches in 1st and 3rd gears. Its also a bit hard to get it into 2nd from a standstill.

This problem only happens every now and then and its generally a lot better when the car is cold.

Is it time for a reco?
I had the engine fully done and the guy who put it back together again said it looked ok (ie: no chipped teeth, etc) but told me the master cylinder might need replacing.

sorry to be blonde but what does a master cylinder do?

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1972 Clubman needs full resto
Coming soon: www.pimpthemini.com

Get the master cylinder overhauled or replaced first , it's cheaper than the gearbox .... The clutch (and brake) master cylinder's push the fluid from the reservoir into the clutch slave cylinder (which is mounted on the motor )which pushes the clutch lever out and dissengages the clutch so you can start or change gears . Is it a mini friendly mechanic that did the work ? Possibly could be adjusted again as well as they can be tricky when non mini friendly people have had a go at them . WHy did the mech say the master cylinder might need replacing , is it leaking or just gummed up ?

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Are you putting your pedal to the floor when you step on your clutch? be sure because I've seen minis with about 40 layers of carpet under the pedal and wonder why the brakes don't work well...

If you are putting the pedal to the floor then you might want to check your clutch throwout adjustments to make sure that it is set up so that the clutch is being fully utilised.

Master Cylinder what you are pumping with your foot which pumps hydraulic fluid to move your clutch plate in and out. It needs to be full of brake fluid at all times. (Dot 4).

If it is leaking (which is easy to spot, check your clutch pedal (where the lever connects to the car) for any dampness) then you need to rekit your master cylinder

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

He was a mini friendly mechanic (padstow mini spares). I did put in new carpet which added a cm or so but was getting similar sort of performance before this. I dont know why he asked me to change the master cylinder maybe it was gummed up and I didnt know. Doesnt look like its leaking all fluids are up where theyre supposed to be.

Whats a new master cylinder worth?

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1972 Clubman needs full resto
Coming soon: www.pimpthemini.com

Well it could be your clutch master cylinder. Get someone the press the clutch in while you watch the arm under the hood. If it travels out but slowly returns while the clutch pedal is stil down then it could be you clutch master that is gone. Either take it to a mini specialist for reconditioning and possibly resleaving or get a new one, available from ebay for about $145. The new plastic tank one ar good, i put one on my 1310 clubbie and i have never had a better cluch pedal.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Clutch-Master-Cy ... dZViewItem

Also make sure the clutch is adjusted properly ie. Use the search option in Ausmini for 'Clutch ajustment' there is no end of tips there. Of course you can consult you workshp manual

How long has it been since your last oil change. Sometimes when the oil losses its viscosity and the sycros (the things that help the box travel from gear to gear) and bearings dont travel as well. Change your oil and filter try somthing like Castrol Edge 25W50 this the oil recomended by most mini users in Ausmini. This also helped me when i was experiencing crunches in the box, essecially if you are experiencing more crunching when the engine is cold compared to hot.

Also remember that the mini gearbox you have if it hasn't been rebuilt before is about 40 years old. Go easy on it. try not to slam the gears in like most people do with their modern Jap cars. If the box is worn you may find that learning to 'double clutch' may help things. This involves pushing the clutch in twice while changing gears. For example once when traveling from first to neutral and again when traveling from neutral to second. If you are traveling down in gears it is helpful to just tap on the accelerator while going into the lower gear.

Hopefully drmini and some of the others with heaps of mini experience can offer advice ttoo.

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71 Clubie, 1310A+, 45 Weber, Kent286md cam, Brownrigg extractors