22 replies to this topic

[imvarma]

Alot of modern cars require you to put the clutch pedal down before the car will start so the oil starvation thing will mostly be just a mini thing.

I used to suffer carb icing in really cold weather, although I solved by sorting the pipe that feeds hot air from the manifold.

[jaydee]

What strain on the starter? gear off and start the car, it wont burn any starter (which will be cheaper than engine rebuild anyway)

[Ethel]

Some manufacturers recommend holding the clutch down, their main concern is getting the car through the warranty period so maybe premature starter failure is more likely?

 

More modern clutches, like the Verto, are less of a problem as they have more leverage built into the clutch plate - the thrust bearings will only "see" what force you put down the end of the entire crank assembly with the clutch release bearing. High poundage pre Verto racing clutches are the worst.

[Spud_133]

Holding the clutch down whilst starting also makes the engine more difficult to start, try and start a car with a nearly flat battery with the clutch down and then up, see which time it's more likely to start.

[minimaxie]

Mine loves the snow!

 

 

 

 

 

Great fun with skinny 145/70's on. Just be sure to rinse off the inevitable salt that collects under the wheel arches and sills.

[Tamworthbay]

Mine loves the snow!
 

 



 

 

 
Great fun with skinny 145/70's on. Just be sure to rinse off the inevitable salt that collects under the wheel arches and sills.

In Norway that is considered a light frost. It's only snow when it gets above knee level, or waist level out of town.

[stretch tech]

mines a verto clutch but i'll just leave it in neutral, thanks for the advice guys - i'd rather not have to rebuild my engine again 

[Petrol]

And never start it with the clutch pedal pressed down. In all starts, but especially in really cold starts, if a Mini is started with the clutch pedal down the crankshaft thrust bearings are starved of oil and don't last long.

 

That's very true and is the case for all manual cars. When you depress the clutch it applies lateral load to the crank. This can wear the thrust washers when there is little oil pressure

 

Pete