Stiff clutch

hats199 · 13-03-2014 7:18pm #1

Hi,

I recently got a new (to me) mini and the clutch is really stiff, just wondering if it would be safe to spray some wd40 at it.

Thanks

The Diddakoi · 13-03-2014 7:23pm

hats199 wrote: »

Hi,

I recently got a new (to me) mini and the clutch is really stiff, just wondering if it would be safe to spray some wd40 at it.

Thanks

I have had an 03 mini for 6 years and the clutch has always been stiff, most people I have spoken to (especially women) find the same. The Cooper S appears to have a stiffer clutch than the Cooper.
Don't think a squirt of wd40 will help much, though I've never tried it, just found I got used to the stiffer clutch over time.

hats199 · 13-03-2014 8:28pm

Thanks, its a mini one actually, but I'll deffo have to do something about it, its only been a week and my knee is killing me from it. Might as well give the wd40 a go I suppose.

zarquon · 13-03-2014 8:33pm

Are you sure it's not something like a release bearing on the clutch plate. Sounds more like a clutch issue than a pedal issue unless the pedal feels like it's getting stuck

Avns1s · 13-03-2014 8:40pm

Spraying WD40 wont help things at all. Make sure you don't spray any lubricant of any description into the bell housing or you'll have no clutch at all.

Ask someone that has the same car to compare. If it's stiffer than the norm, you'll need a new clutch to sort it.

hats199 · 13-03-2014 8:51pm

Considering I have no idea what the bell housing is, I think I'd better leave it off. Will take it back to the man I suppose. Thanks.

emeldc · 13-03-2014 9:46pm

Spray some WD40 on the door handles. It won't help with the clutch but it will stop the handles from becoming sticky.
Seriously though, I've driven loads of Minis and never noticed the clutch being particularly heavy on any of them. I think it it sounds like the pressure plate is on the way out. Is the biting point very close to the floor?

hats199 · 13-03-2014 10:33pm

As long as I get to spray some wd40 I'll be happy. Yes you're right, the biting point is right at the floor. Is this something that would be considered structurally wrong and therefore should be fixed under warranty?

emeldc · 14-03-2014 10:38am

hats199 wrote: »

As long as I get to spray some wd40 I'll be happy. Yes you're right, the biting point is right at the floor. Is this something that would be considered structurally wrong and therefore should be fixed under warranty?

Generally speaking, clutches would not be covered in used cars. But if the car was bought from a main dealer it may have a better warranty. Have you the car long. Do you think it was like that when you bought it.

biko · 14-03-2014 7:32pm

You can try a bit of wd40 inside the car on the mechanics of the pedal but usually old pedal linkage will also make a noise when pressed.
Tbh, I'd find a local Mini mech and ask them to give it a push, they have experience from tons of cars so will know if it's a problem or a "feature".

hats199 · 14-03-2014 9:14pm

I have the car a week, it was like that when I bought it, it just took a week to realise it was going to be a problem. So you think I'd be safe to spray it inside the car onto the clutch?

whupdedo · 14-03-2014 9:19pm

hats199 wrote: »

I have the car a week, it was like that when I bought it, it just took a week to realise it was going to be a problem. So you think I'd be safe to spray it inside the car onto the clutch?

Spray away, but you'd be better off using it as deodorant for all those good it will do

Stella Virgo · 14-03-2014 9:25pm

whupdedo wrote: »

Spray away, but you'd be better off using it as deodorant for all those good it will do

so her clutch is gone......and she stinks as well......:p

emeldc · 14-03-2014 9:52pm

hats199 wrote: »

I have the car a week, it was like that when I bought it, it just took a week to realise it was going to be a problem. So you think I'd be safe to spray it inside the car onto the clutch?

Did you get any kind of a verbal or written warranty with it. Did you bring a mechanic with you when you bought it. Something like this should have been easy enough to spot. I would definitely bring it back but you might have a fight on your hands.
Forget the WD40.

hats199 · 14-03-2014 9:58pm

Yeah I had it taken to a mini dealer, I got the report back and there was nothing in it about the clutch. Car came with a 3 month warranty. Maybe putting the wd40 on my creaky knee is the answer. Pits-wise I'm fine like.

emeldc · 14-03-2014 10:12pm

Right, it depends on the wording of the warranty so.

dgt · 15-03-2014 2:24am

I don't know what type of clutch you have (pull or push type) or how it's operated (cable or hydraulic) so hard to tell

What engine and year?

Stiff clutch

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