Help with clutch.

[TVRleigh]

Good news everything is working, apart from clutch.

Will not allow me to change gear when engine is running,

Also if started in gear on stands, and clutch in as soon a I put breaks on engine stops.

I have bleed clutch, with presure bleeder.

Any Think I can do.

[ed_crouch]

It might be seized. Scary, but maybe give it a couple of thousand revs, then belt the brakes hard with the clutch pedal floored.

I guess it might be the actuation arm thats fallen orff inside the bellhousing. Not what you want to hear...

Ed.

[TVRleigh]

Have tried jumping on the breaks with clutch in, with wheels going 40MPH.
Car just stalls stright away.

May have to just try an few times,

Not sure if it would be better if I was driving the car on the road, instead of it being on stands.

Going to double check slave cyclinder is working, I can have a look to see if arm is still there.

I don't think it should have fallen off.

But will check,

It a right pain as every thing else if fine.

Well except tick over.

[TVR 3X]

I have heard that heat helps in these circumstances.

Warm the engine up for a long time 15 minutes idling or more - enough to get heat into the flywheel.

Then (as you have the back wheels off the floor) you can push the clutch pedal down with the engine running - what does it feel like?

If it feels heavier than your normal car but not rock hard then that is a good sign.

With the clutch down dab the brakes - don't stand on them but short sharp dabs that aren't enough to stall it.

If it doesn't shift then when everything is hot, stop the engine and wedge the pedal down overnight, this should shift it.

Russ

[TVRleigh]

Hi Russ

Thanks for that,

I've beed trying for a few hours so car got hot enough, found a problem with fan connectors, as it over heated a little, played with wires and then the fan come on, strange as was working before, took apart and wires are shot.

The Clutch feels normal, not too soft and not too hard.
Fluid hardly moves in res. though should you be able to see it move when operating the clutch.

I wedged the clutch on over night to see if that helps.

Russ

[adam quantrill]

I had a problem with mine a few months ago, I just put it in 4th gear, brakes on hard, clutch depressed, and freed it with the starter motor. Yes, that's right, just start it.

Other than that you'll have to push start or tow it, get it up to speed (say 20 mph) keep your foot on the clutch and brake hard.

[TVRleigh]

I read a S post about starting with car in gear and clutch down, but they said 1st,

Any idea what the best gear is.

Did not try last night as was worried of stripping the gears off the flywheel.

[adam quantrill]

It probably doesn't make much odds, but I used a higher gear to reduce the torque to the back wheels.

In any case moving the car on the starter motor is a useful technique in case you stall on a level crossing. I reckon the ring gear is up to it - but if it doesn't fix it, you might have an engine out job anyway to get at the clutch.

[TVRleigh]

I think 3rd or 4th maybe better,

as don't want the car to start, and clutch not to free, and the breaks fair, and the car going through the garage wall.

I will back it up as far as I can though.

Thanks for all your advice.

Fingers Crossed.

[adam quantrill]

Chock the wheels too, then!

[TVRleigh]

I put my flying goggles on also. chock's away

[TVRleigh]

Still no joy,

Also I think the new brakes need bedding in as the car was lurching forward. but also with car not running had no servo either.

I tired it about 10 times in different gears inc reverse.

Going to have to look to see if slave cyclinder is working, before I try it again.

Too wet and no one to help me tonight so will do tomorrow, or get it low loaded to my friends garage and get him to have a look.

[TVRleigh]

Ok Finaly Fixed.

Tried WD40 no joy.
Tried Breaks on in gear, turn engine over by crank with big bar, no joy
Tried Starting with car in gear and breaks on, no joy.

In the end we drilled a 35mm hole in the bell housing where the BL label is.
And then freed off the clutch with a pry bar.

Still no joy, but must have done some good, as I tried it in gear again and on the starter motor, and big bang and it was as free as a bird. and working fine.

Took it for a quick spin just to test, no problems.

One very happy Wedger.

[adam quantrill]

Cool - well done. Make sure you make up a plate for the hole - but some gaffer tape will work for now till after BBWF.

[TVRleigh]

I'll try and get a rubber bung.

My mate who helped me said, won't even matter leaving it as it is, as long as you don't go though a flood.

But I'm so happy it working and its not an engine out.