K Reg Mini 1.3 automatic

[Amelioratio]

I just acquired one of these, grandad gave up driving but he long ago lost the handbook etc!

Two questions.

1) The transmission works fine in regards that it works but occassionally when it changes, it makes a squeak sort of noise akin to when windscreen wipers go across a dry screen.

2) The temperature gauge doesn't move. Ever. I took it to 70mph for possibly the first time in its life, drove it about 40 miles at that speed and when I stopped there was some steam from the undercarriage, though none when i lifted the bonnet!!

Any ideas? Or am I ebaying it for him?

[Amelioratio]

You don't happen to know how much it'd cost to have the cooling system unblocked? Changing the fluid in the trans shouldn't take TOO much to be fair!!

[tony_lunna]

The squeak during gear changes may come from the forward clutch (this is a wet clutch that is enaged for all 4 forward gears). Is this squeak present when pulling away from rest especially uphill? One way to determine the condition of the clutch is to perform a "stall test". Engage first or D and apply the foot brake firmly with the left foot so that the car can't move (do this in an area where there is nothing in front that you can run into just in case the brakes are substandard), then press on the throttle. If there is a pronounced sqawk or judder then this is due to the forward clutch slipping. This is usually due to worn clutch plates although it may also be due to low oil pressure (check the oil pressure at the plug on the filter head (100 psi in all forward gears, 150psi in reverse). The problem with these gearboxes is that spare parts for them are becoming a bit like hens teeth. Changing the clutch plates, if you can get them, involves significant dismantling of the transmission once it has been separated from the engine.