11 replies to this topic

[1275GtTurboAshleigh]

Hi All,

Recently just purchased my second mini... A turbo 1275 gt (rs turbo)
Did a wheel spin in first gear and went to select second (there was a small noise, not a bang or anything heavy on the ears) and it wouldn't go anywhere!

When going to bump the car it jsut roles and doesn't catch the gears.
When the engine is turning over and a gear is selected there is a faint rattle and vibration can be felt throught he gear stick. The car doesn't move when the gear is engaged and the gears don't want to catch.

There aren't any leaks of any form coming from the engine.

I'm attempting to sort the problem this coming saturday & was wondering whether:

a) anybody here has made my mistake and had similar symptoms with their mini.
b) what i should be looking looking out for, i.e. clutch, diff, drive shaft.

Many Thanks,
Ash

[mike.]

I'd say you'd be looking at the diff really - Check the driveshafts over first before you start taking things apart though.

Do you know what sort of diff is fitted? Standard diffs can't really handle a lot of extra power and wheel spin, and you might of snapped the diff pin.

[Dan]

Diffs don't generally fail quietly, or leave any oil in the engine when they do, although it is entirely possible. More usually they really let go dramatically, especially if you are revving it hard at the time and spinning the wheels. I'd say that from what you've told us it's more likely to be an inner CV or the spline on a shaft that's failed.

[1275GtTurboAshleigh]

I'd say you'd be looking at the diff really - Check the driveshafts over first before you start taking things apart though.

Do you know what sort of diff is fitted? Standard diffs can't really handle a lot of extra power and wheel spin, and you might of snapped the diff pin.

No i'm not sure which one it has. I did my homework on all the main bit & pieces needed when fitting a turbo and the car has all of these.

I was advised to feel the Diff casing, before dismantaling all of it, as i would be able to feel if it has gone..?

[1275GtTurboAshleigh]

I forgot to mention that when i select a gear and rev the engine the speado goes up with the revs.
Not sure if that helps at all.....

[Dan]

Having checked it still has oil, have a look underneath while it's running in gear to see if anything is turning. THIS IS A RISKY THING TO DO. While its running in gear you must : have someone at the controls and paying attention, have the handbrake on, have the front chocked. DO NOT climb underneath, put any part of you underneath or in the path of the vehicle or any wheels. You should wear at least some eye protection in case it fails any further while you are looking. It doesn't need to be running fast, just idling over in gear will be fine. See if it's turning one pot joint and no driveshafts. If it is then that joint or the shaft in it has failed. It might be turning one joint and shaft but no wheels, if it is the outer CV or outside shaft spline on that side has failed. Otherwise, you've got to strip it. It could be the diff or any other point in the gearbox really. Does the speedo register while it's running like this?

No point in trying to find out if the diff has failed before you strip it down by feeling it, if it has you need to strip the whole thing for cleaning anyway. It's not like you'll just be taking off the diff case.

Of course if you are very lucky it might just be the clutch but you need to find out what is turning and what isn't to daignose further.

[Dan]

Oh, just saw your post about the speedo, that means the failure is at or after the final drive. So pinion, diff, joints or shafts. Find out if anything is turning.

[1275GtTurboAshleigh]

Oh, just saw your post about the speedo, that means the failure is at or after the final drive. So pinion, diff, joints or shafts. Find out if anything is turning.

Really appriciate the responses.
My mate is a Lexus Mechanic we're working on the car together and we didn't really want to get stuck in with out some advise first. i'll stick some pics of the car up soon and hopefully we can sort the problem out over the weekend!!!

Edited by 1275GtTurboAshleigh, 24 February 2011 - 11:42 AM.

[Guess-Works.com]

Simplest thing to check is, get the car off the ground, put it in gear and turn one of the wheels, the other should turn in the opposite direction.... if no then the diff' has failed, which equates to engine out, and gearbox off.

[1275GtTurboAshleigh]

Simplest thing to check is, get the car off the ground, put it in gear and turn one of the wheels, the other should turn in the opposite direction.... if no then the diff' has failed, which equates to engine out, and gearbox off.

Ok cheers,
What type of Diff do you recommend replacing the current one with, if it has failed that is...?

[Dan]

A Mini Spares (not Mini Sport) cross pin.

[johnatandy]

As said above, it looks like a diff problem to me, maybe one or more of the planet wheels have broken?.

I had this once in a 1380 car with a standard gearbox, but then it did empty its oil all over the road!

As Dan says a minispares cross pin diff is the best unless you go for a LSD, then thats another question.

I have had a minispares diff in my cooper hillclimber, due to regulations, with a 1430 engine in for a few years and had no problems what so ever, you can image the wheel spinning you have to do to get the tyres upto temp.

Hope its not too disheartening, mini ownership means that you WILL have a gearbox problem at some time, just makes you build a stronger gearbox next time

ATB
John

Edited by johnatandy, 24 February 2011 - 03:22 PM.