Had an interesting drive home today. Seemed as though the clutch cable was slowly slowly slipping, to the point where now i cant clutch in and insert gears.

The best way to describe it, is to slightly loosen the brake cable on a bicycle and pull the brake. With each pull on the brake lever, the cable will slip that little bit more until there is no tension.

My question is, is it as simple to fix as ive made it sound?

Its a leyland mini s 998

Cheers,

Dan.

Done the basics? Checked for leaks (both engine compartment and interior pedals), checked level in reservior?

I had a brief look around the pedal area. Didnt see any leaks. Where can i find said reservoir? This is my first mini. I wouldnt know where to start looking.

Engine compartment, its the silver can or white plastic tank on the passengers side - immediately in front of the driver.
The taller one is the brake master cylinder.

just to make it plainly obvious, there is no clutch cable, it's a hydraulic system

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

Well I do get what he means, (passenger's side of the pair) but it's poor syntax.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

How else do you put it? I can't say it's on the right, because its on the left side of the car.

It is one of the silver metal or white plastic containers in the engine compartment directly in front of the driver. The clutch master cylinder is the one closest to the centre of the car

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

Isn't that the washer bottle?

I found a short rusty can, next to a white/transparent clear one (Brake Reservoir). Upon a visual inspection, approximately how high should the fluid reach? To me, it seems as though it's under 1/5 full which seems a little low? Also, what fluid can I use? Brake Fluid? Engine/Transmission Oil?

Had a look at the thin metal pipe coming from underneath, and it seems to be "wet". I didn't touch or smell the substance, so I couldn't be sure excactly what it is... It had rained about 5 minutes prior to me checking.

Is it normal for the fluid to go walkabouts? Or is there a definitely leak in the system?

Depends what colour the moisture is.
If its green / blue it might be fluid, you have to rule it out from being water.
Give it a wipe over and look for fresh moisture later.
The fluid level is also too low, it should be about 5mm from the top of the can.

Just did a quick inspection, its black gunk all over the pipes. I'll give them an indefinite clean and degrease, fill the can and get somebody to pump the clutch a few times to see where the leak is.

Is there a possibility that it never leaked? The cap was on loosely at best and has only been driven 500kms in the last 3 year's.

Do I fill with Dot4 brake fluid?

Moderator may delete this thread at his discretion. Problem fixed. Nut on the reservoir to clutch arm pipe was loose.

Filling with Dot3 fluid. Thanks for the help guys.

Cheers.

Dan.