The OEM transmission fluid is very good, and because you are under warranty, I suggest its continued use. Extremely cold temperatures can alter the fluid's viscosity and calls for more frequent fluid changes. New fluid may or may not improve shifting since it only is an issue between two gears, which sounds like a synchronizer problem. It wouldn't hurt to drain the fluid and have a look at it. If the drained fluid is placed in sunlight and it is full of glittering gold colored flake, that may give you an indication, but it is not a definitive test. I have a customer that lost his synchro after driving with a failed clutch (the flywheel failed and seized the disk), he also must be careful shifting between 2nd & 3rd up or down, however, it is so bad no one could say nothing is wrong.
The sticking pedal is odd, or it may only be the description of symptoms. First check out another late model NINI's pedal to see if it feels the same to you. Have a look at the clutch slave to see if there is fluid around the rod, then bleed the slave. Air in the clutch slave can also effect shifting.
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Jason Montague New MemberLifetime Supporter
opcorn:
opcorn:
opcorn:
Thanks Keith. It's always a pleasure to learn things about our MINIs.
opcorn:
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Jason -
Thanks for the info k-hueveo
When the clutch started to slip it would only slip when the car was floored at 2500 rpm. When the dealer test drove it they claimed the car was ok so I had to take them out and show them myself so I dont think the clutch was totaly destroyed. My clutch bite point has always been about 1/3 of the travel off the floor so hopefully no syncros are worn.
A mechanic told me it sounded like a bulk ring problem as I only had problems shifting up. when I shift down its ok.
I will take your advice and stick with the original oil and if anything materialises it will be before the warranty runs out.
My mates brand new cooper s feels a lot different. At around a third of the pedal travel from the top you can feel the resistance drop off as the pressure plate releases where mine doesnt, even though our bite points are in the same place.
I am going to replace the master cylinder next just to rule out the clutch hydraulics completely as regards the notchy pedal. Then Its back to the dealer again if that doesnt work.
Thanks again for the info.
cheers
Dave -
Since my first post I had a new slave fitted today by a friend who runs his own independant garage. The clutch is better and we found the end of the slave rod had about 3mm worn off. The clutch pressure feels better but only as good as described in my previous post.
His garage is around 40 miles away and during the last 10 miles the gearshift was almost perfect but when I got home and the car had cooled off it was back to its normal self.