Essex v6 clutch won't release after winter layup....

Essex v6 clutch won't release after winter layup....

Author
Discussion

MattT350T

Original Poster:

102 posts

146 months

Monday 10th March 2014
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Hi there.
Q1: Has anyone successfully managed to unstick a stuck clutch (friction plate rusted lightly onto adjacent surface or is it more likely the release bearing stuck?) without having to drop the gearbox out please?
I read on a tvr site about the brake cleaner spray approach through the front aperture on the bottom of the clutch housing. Does this work at all?? How do I avoid a potential fireball with the exhausts so darn close by...? Also I did not have a cover plate on the said aperture. Is my understanding that there should actually be one there?
Any help will be very much appreciated thank you. I should say that the cable is operating properly as is the fork.


Many thanks in advance for any possible help or advice
M

DavidY

4,458 posts

283 months

Monday 10th March 2014
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Heat will usually free it, I used to put the rear of the car on axle stands and start it in gear, then let it run for 30 mins or so, usually free'd the clutch no problem. Obviously you need to make sure the car won't 'get off' the stands!!!

tf007071

29 posts

234 months

Thursday 13th March 2014
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I used to suffer this in an Se6a - the way I was 'taught' was:

1 - (this may be a whole lot easier said than done) Manoeuvre car so you have a decent clear run ahead of you whilst driving without a clutch...
2 - start and warm engine
3 - stop engine, put it into 1st gear and start engine; the car will immediately take off, be prepared (see 1 above)!
4 - get up to a reasonable speed (30 or so should do) with clutchless changes into 3rd (just back off and ease gearlever into appropriate gear, it should slide in when revs and road speed match)
5 - stamp on clutch and brake (ie emergency stop)

The result was always a loud bang immediately followed by a working clutch...

Good luck

PATTERNPART

693 posts

200 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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I once managed something similar with an old Escort on an industrial estate. The clutch came free when I was doing about 30 in 2nd and had been coming on and off the throttle for a while. I can't remember if I was pressing the clutch pedal at the same time. Must have been. It definitely had a cable operated clutch.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 21st October 2015
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Tow it at about 5mph with the car in first gear and clutch down. Let the clutch up and hey presto a free clutch.