Morris Minor Owners Club

Howdy Chaps

this is my first posting on the forum as i am newly joined. i bought my first minor about a week ago and so i am after a bit of help. (i will probably be after lots of help in the longrun but i guess i got to start somewhere.)

the car is mostly sound but i have noticed a few problems straight away the most worrying at the moment is a slight slip from the clutch when accelerating in forth, useually only on heavy acceleration, i.e. up hill from a roundabout. there was an old thread on the forum that dealt with a similar problem but it got confusing going into gaskets and breathers and all sorts so i thought i would start again and ask people to keep it simple for a new owner.

is this slipping most likely a bit of oil on the clutch, or is there another possible answer. either way what are the likely solutions, and finally, as its not a major problem (yet) do i get too worried about it?

cheers
Alex

Welcome to the forum. One thing for sure, wear or oil, this problem won't get any better. Good news is there isn't an easier engine to get out and the parts are cheap.

Alex,

This problem will only get worse so you need to have a look at it sooner rather than later. The only way to tell what the problem is, is to remove the gearbox from under the car and have a look at the clutch. Whatever you find,clean up the bell housing and then replace both the clutch plate and thrust bearing. It is probably the best part of a days work for a beginner, maybe even longer but it is always best to take your time.

Above all, get yourself a good workshop manual - I find the Haynes manuals cover things clearer for most jobs although I have a BMC workshop manual on the shelf as well as it has some extra data in it and goes into more detail on some things. Make sure you read all about the job before you start so you understand what you are going to do. I try to take a photocopy of the relevant pages before I start so I can refer to it as I go along without getting the original book all oily!

And needless to say - Safety First! Don't get under the car when it up on a jack. Use axle stands or ramps on firm level ground.

The best way to learn is to do it yourself - good luck

Chris

PS: Just a thought although it is a long shot - is the clutch pedal adjusted properly? (read manual to check!)

Howdy chaps

thanks for the welcome and the advice. adjucting the clutch will be the first thing i try as soon as i get a little time. it really isn't a bad problem at the present, and although i understand it won't get better, i think i have a bit of time to take this one slowly and learn, lets just see if it works out that way!

Cheers
Alex

Alex,

try and find out if there is a MMOC local branch near to you...if you join I'm sure that you will come into contact with experienced members who can offer practical help and advice.

Near to me, Lancashire MMOC has a "mechanics day" every month. Members can get together at a garage facility, eat pies, drink tea & coffee, have a natter AND do jobs on their cars under the watchful eye of the Technical Officer.
I wonder if many branches do this?


good luck & enjoy the Minor!
Chris

If you have a pool of oil under the car which is coming from the hole at the bottom of the clutch housing then it may be contaminating the clutch plate. It will not make any difference to changing the clutch but will need investigating whilst the clutch is being replaced. The problem is most probably a worn or badly adjusted clutch. Make sure that you have about one inch of free play at the top of the pedal

You absolutely MUST try adjusting the clutch right away - don't leave it - it only takes minutes. You must have an inch of 'free play' at the pedal. If it still slips after that - then you need to decide if it's an oil-on-plate problem, or simply a worn out clutch plate.

Alex, if you fill in your location we may be able to put you in touch with someone who could offer you advice.

Don't fret! i'm not driving it at the moment so i will adjust clutch beofre i do.
just a thought, if it is oil on the plate, will stopping the leak solve the problem, surely the oil will wear off the clutch with use?
like the sound of meeting up at a garage with other owners, perhaps it was mention of eating pies that attracts me however...
Alex

Yes - if it's oily plate - there is a good chance it will be ok - if you can stop the oil getting to it.

It all depends on where the oil is coming from. If it is engine oil then it will leak behind the flywheel and not affect the clutch, if it is gearbox oil then it may contaminate the flywheel. I would wait until the engine or gearbox is out before worrying about it.

Sadly - the normal oil leak IS from the rear main bearing - and it does get all over the clutch. It's caused by 'blow by' pressure in the crankcase forcing oil out past the labyrinth 'seal' on the crank tail. The answer is to cure the blow-by, either by overhauling the engine or often by improving the suction from the carb to the engine breathers - which can produce a complete cure!

The drip from the back of my 1275 is bordering on the anti social, I certainly would not park on anyone's drive, but it has not affected the clutch as it runs down the back of the flywheel

Give it time.........

It has been like it for years. I need to get the engine out to do something about the 30psi oil pressure

That doesn't help either - the oil will be flooding out of the slightly worn bearings, more than the rear 'seal' can cope with.