2nd gear sticking when changing up or down

[minimaniac]

As the title really. The gearbox appears to stick in second gear for a few seconds but also try and engage 3rd or 1st at the same time.

I changed the oil for 10w 40s and it appears to be a lot better but I haven't had chance to really warm it up yet.

Anyone else had this problem?

Today is the first time the car has been on the road for around 5 years and apart from that everything else works perfectly. It passed it's MOT today with no advisories

It's a 1991 998 Mini Auto btw.

[Admin/Founder 2]

Hiya
i personally wouldn't use 10w40 oil in an Automatic Mini
You tend to get more leaks etc when using a thinner Oil

Later Handbooks recommend it but Ive always found Ive had less problems using 20w50

There could however be an underlying Transmission problem causing what you describe here.

Id try a good Quality 20w50 Mineral Oil first as i had similar problems with Boris when we used to use 10w40,it improved a little with 20w50 but alas the transmission needed an overhaul anyhow

Can anybody else shed any light on minimaniacs transmission issues?

[minithirtyauto]

I could be wrong here as don't for sure, but it sound like a possible tie up problem with it trying to select two gears at once. The cause of this can be the selector cable needs adjusting, or might be slighly seazed if its been off the road for 5 years. Very easy to check the selector cable ajustment, easiest with two people and a four post ramp.

[jockduck]

Hi, If its been off the road for 5 years there is a good chance that there is some sticking of the valves in the valve block, Take the car for some good runs of mixed roads and change the oil and filter again sooner than later, yes I believe the autobox likes 10/40 better than 20/50 especially in a cold climate. use a good quality mineral oil.
Ian

[minimaniac]

Thanks for the replies.

It's running fine now. Clocked a couple of hundred miles up over the weekend without any problem. I'll give it another week then change the oil & filter again then when the weather gets a bit warmer I may go back to 20w50s.

[mra-minis]

Sticky valve body then luckily for you it cured ok, if it happens again use the stick to change gears and NOT the auto position and get it hot again to see if it cures it then