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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Wont go in gear when running?

mg mg midget doesnt seem to have the heart to go into gear
once running?

few friend have said that maybe my clutch has seized up after sitting for god knows how long

any idea's ?

or idea's on how i may be able to free my clutch ?

cheers guys
Anthony
AJ Farrell

Start in gear with clutch depressed (free space in front of the car) see if that shakes it loose
Onno Könemann

Maybe a hydraulic problem? Check fluid level; if OK, bleed slave cyl.

A
Anthony Cutler

Look under the car while someone presses the clutch pedal (or vise versa...) to see if the arm moves.
If not, fix it...
Alex G Matla

OK - so - firstly: ALL gears - or just one gear

Secondly, does it go into gear, just not how you'd expect it to?

Thirdly, not being rude, but, have you driven a "good" 1500, so you can compare how it should go into gear?

It's kinda hard to make any diagnosis on anything without a full and clear description of exactly what's happening :)

It is almost certain to be a seized up clutch, and you've been given advice on how to do this already, but, I know that you mentioned in your other thread you may have lots of questions, so, I thought I'd mention ;) Another good thing is to go into the archives and have a jolly good look around there, there's quite alot of information in there, and many subjects are covered, so, on a cold dark evening, do go and read around them, as it will give you loads of ideas, hints and tips, mostly of things that you'd never ever think of doing :)!!!

My point about the "have you driven a good one" does actually stand - without knowing anything about you, and, please don't take any offence at it, but, lots of people come on here having never driven an older car, and are surprised that they don't drive like a modern one ...!!! Seriously :)

Also, tell us a bit more about your car, and that way people will be able to give you lots of other advice on how to make sure that it's safe and fun car to drive so that you get the most out of it.

Hope you're having fun with it - and I know that you've already discovered that parts can be pretty cheap ;). I wouldn't rush into joining a club without taking time to work out what exactly you want to do with the car - as that will probably dictate which one you will get the most out of.
rachmacb

almost definitely what Onno said. Clutch plate can get stuck if you haven't used the car for a while. Need to jump it free, just like Onno said.

C
C L Carter

Especially if parked outside or in the damp
Paul Walbran

If it's a 1500, then Alex's comment above won't apply. There's no external clutch actuator arm on the 1500. Ditto the other comments; sounds like a stuck clutch plate to me.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Thanks so much for all the help every body :)

Onno... Thanks for info a few people have told me to have a go at this so i think will be one the things i try :)

rachmacb... The car doesnt go into any gears at all when car is running

but does when car isnt running

also i can not say i have driven a good 1500 and i can no say i do no how it should go into gear but all i no is it will not go into gear at all :)

nearly everyone i explain it to does say seized clutch so i think i will give this idea ago that i have been told about by onno^

And as for the car it a 1979 MG Midget in black :)

an i can not really tell much more right now as i have not yet had the pleasure of driving it :) but as far as i know it has been sat now since around 2001-2002 :)


You guys have been a great help again thanks for help :) really helps as im only 18 and only know a little about mechanicals but im not silly enough to go at it on my own i have a mechanic friend helping me on that end of the business :) will get back to you guys once i get the chance to try brake her free

Thanks again
Anthony

(Picture Attached of recent refurb on wheels :))




AJ Farrell

PLEASE EXCUSE MY ENGLISH TO :) WASNT THE BRIGHTEST IN SCHOOL
AJ Farrell

Anthony,
if the car's been stood since 2002 then there could be a list of things to sort - start with brakes and tyres as these will be the most important things - even more so that than the clutch, you're pretty safe if it doesn't move, the problems start as soon as you get it moving :)

after brakes and tyres it's steering and suspension, lights, then engine coolant system, battery and starting

at the very end, bottom of the list is what most want to do first, the engine and messing with carbs

I do a list for those that want it :)

Nigel Atkins

how much space do you have where the car is parked?

If you have some clear space where you could drive it if it was working and room to stop with the key if the clutch doesn't "cure" itself you might like to point the car away from solid objects, select second gear and turn on the engine with the handbrake off. The Onno method.

If the clutch has frozen on due to rust, driving it and frequently alternating between clutch and brake pedal may free off the driven plate from a rusty flywheel

Or not

:(

In which case you may need to push or tow it back to your garage/parking space, in neutral

I normally advocate jacking up the rear of the car with the axle in the air, then starting the car in gear and jamming brake and clutch pedals until "something has to go", usually the drive plate comes free and the car is yours again

The problem with my previously advised jaccking up process is that the Elf'n'safeness types come a shouting accurately that there's a risk

It always worked for me. I never dropped a car off the trolley jack which is a vital part of the process, but if you had trouble I wouldnt be close enough to help you so I now advise the "on the deck" method instead
Bill1

hey im actually in middle of re doing the whole brake system :) and apart from that everything is going and running good :) apart from clutch and some electricals :) sorry dont have much time to reply to all stuff as been very busy but all informationg and help is read and i am very thankful :)

Thanks
Anthony
AJ Farrell

Anthony,
Sometimes one can free off a stuck clutch plate just with the starter motor.
Open the bonnet and disconnect one of the two wires to the coil so the engine won't start. Put it into second gear and with the brake and the clutch pedals both pressed firmly, turn the starter switch in short bursts.

IMPORTANT: If the starter motor engages but jams without freeing the clutch switch off immediately and wait a bit before trying again. You don't want to burn out the starter motor!



Guy

This thread was discussed between 18/11/2011 and 25/11/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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