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MG MGB Technical - clutch or gearbox

I have a problem with my clutch or gearbox. If my motor is off i can get my clutch into gear. If i start the motor i cant anymore. Does anyone know why?

regards
Marc
M Passet

check clutch hydraulics.
Paul Hanley

Does it grind if you try to put it into reverse? If so the clutch is dragging as Paul Hanley suggests. Safely support the car on axle stands then while someone else operates and releases the clutch pedal measure the movement of the slave piston. You should see 1/2" to 5/8" of travel, and if you do the problem is in the clutch itself which means and engine out job. Significantly less than this indicates a hydraulic problem - have you checked the level? If the level is good and there is no visible leakage it is probably a faulty master cylinder.
Paul Hunt

This sounds awful like your clutch disc is stuck to the flywheel. This has happened to a few of our club members after winter storage.
I had this problem on my MGA this spring.
Make sure the car will not start (easy on an MGA...just don't turn the key on), on an MGB I would probably remove the plugs, put it in gear (forward or reverse, whichever direction is clear) then crank the engine on the starter motor. This is usually enough to break the clutch disc free of the flywheel.
mgajoe

I have always started and warmed the car untill the choke can be taken off and the car will restart easily, then stop the engine, put the car in first (or reverse if you have to get out of a garage) and restart the car. Run the car to an area where you can drive it straight for awhile or in a circular driveway and with the clutch pedal pushed all the way in accelerate and decelerate quickly in first gear. Depending on how well the clutch disk is stuck to the flywheel, it may take a few laps to break it loose. If the disk is not stuck hard it will probably break loose on the way out of the garage, if the clutch pedal is depressed. Of course all of this is predicated on a disk being stuck to the flywheel. If the problem isbad hydraulics, this doesn't doo any good at all except to leave the neighbors shaking their heads at your antics. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

This thread was discussed between 11/07/2004 and 12/07/2004

MG MGB Technical index

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