Car: 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible R52

Problem: Cannot shift into any gear while the engine is running

Noises: Problem started one day while driving. I heard a pop when shifting to 4th. The shifter immediately became jammed. I turned off the car, shifted into 2nd, turned on the car and drove home about 1 mile away. When I heard the pop I think I felt it on my left foot as I held the clutch pedal down.


Observations:

1. Shifted gears with engine off and was able to drive in 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

2. Started engine in 1st and held clutch pedal down and car rolls forward.

3. Parked car in 1st and released emergency brake on incline and car does not roll backwards.

4. Opened shift linkage compartment under the hood and shifted through all six gears and reverse, both cables moved.

5. Checked master and slave cylinder for leaks but both seam to be in good condition.

6. Both master and slave cylinder respond to pressing the clutch pedal but not sure if slave is fully expanding.

7. Slave cylinder can be compressed by hand about 1.5 inches I don't if that is normal.

8. Slave cylinder cannot be expanded by hand

9. Clutch pedal seams to have pressure but it might be due to the spring.

10. Brake fluid level looks good


Questions:

1. What is your guess about the problem in general?

2. Is there a release pin or mechanism in the shifter that engages when the engine is turned on?

3. How far should the slave cylinder expand when I press down the clutch pedal?

4. Is it normal to be able to compress the slave cylinder about and 1 inch by hand?

5. Is it possible for the master or slave cylinder to be broken even though there are no leaks or other signs on visual inspection?

6. Is there any way to test my throwout bearing, pressure plate and springs without opening it all up?

7. If I remove the clutch pedal spring to feel actual pedal pressure will it be difficult to get back on?

7. Is it possible to hear a pop as described without anything actually breaking? For example, air in the system or not enough fluid?


Test Idea:

To make sure the problem is with hydraulics and not the clutch, pressure plate or throwout bearing I'm planning a test. I want to make sure it would be ok and actually help isolate the problem.

1. disconnect the slave cylinder
2. turn on the engine
3. move the lever that connects to the clutch fork manually
4. see if by moving the fork manually I'm able to shift
5. also thinking of releasing the clutch pedal spring to feel actual pressure.


Thank you in advance to everyone for your time and effort. Let me know if you need any more information. I'll add some pictures ASAP.

 

Inability to change gear with the car on and clutch pedal depressed would lead me to believe either a throw out bearing issue or clutch hydraulics issue if the car still moves and the clutch isn't slipping while driving.

But, you may also have shifter cables that are starting to seize up on you.

I'm moreso leaning to the earlier of the two situations though.

 

When I drive the car the clutch doesn't seam to slip. I tested driving by starting in first second and third. It seams to be switching the gears. I can tell based on torque when accelerating. I drove to 40 mph in 2nd and 3rd. When the engine is one I can't change gears even if I try to force the shifter or pump the clutch pedal.

 

I would recommend stopping driving the car until you find out what is going on, we've seen too many cars that have had throw out bearing failure that ends up putting a hole in the trans case.

Pull the boot back on the slave, is there fluid in the boot? If so the slave is failed.

Short of that, I would say you're in for a clutch and some other incidentals.

 

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