MINI Cooper Project 27 : Clutch Master and Slave Cylinder Replacement

[Wayne 962]

Anyone got any questions on Project 27 - Clutch Master and Slave Cylinder Replacement for your MINI Cooper or Cooper S?

Here's a back link to the original article: Pelican Technical Article: 27-TRANS-Clutch_Master_and_Slave_Cylinder_Replacement

-Wayne

[lilredmini]

Is there a way to check if a clutch problem is just hydraulic or worse? Pedal just went to the floor. Car has been driving fine with no clutch issues until now. Car is 2003 MCS with 50m miles on it. Fluid level is fine and I see no leaking at the master or slave. Have ordered both just in case the hydraulics is the problem. Car has been driven easily and it doesn't seem it would be time for a complete clutch kit. Any suggestions??? lilredmini

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

If the pedal goes to the floor, the problem is either with the pedal itself (check the pedal and all linkage from the pedal to the master cylinder), or is in the hydraulic part of the system. Chances are that the MC or SC have a bad seal internally, unless you see fluid on the outside of one or the other.

I don't know what the throwout bearing on the Cooper looks like, so there is some possibility that the throwout arm and/or bearing has completely failed and fallen apart, but that is a very very low probability cause. Especially if there was no warning (no ugly noises, no partially-disengaged clutch with weird pedal feel) before the failure.

--DD

[lilredmini]

Many thanks for the info. I'll tackle the hydraulics first.