Getting into Gear trouble

[dean_ratpac]

This is not the first time it’s happened, but the first on this particular cerbie.
For a time now I’ve noticed it was getting harder and harder to engage gear when it's really cold the night before, and easing up as the car got warmed up.
Now I left the car for a week (whilst 100amp fuse was out). Went out for a drive (to charge batt – after initial jump), well at first couldn’t engage 5th to get into reverse, then tried 3rd. thought oh great; the thought of my bank account being emptied! Finally after a few pumps it goes in. now going up the road is not impossible but very difficult, and the ever increasing traffic lights around Kingston, I’m frightened I’ll get there and never leave. Anyway I take a few swift turns and avoid all lights keeping in gear, onto A3.

I’ve searched the forums to come to these conclusions – reading loads.
1. Clutch fingers are fked
2. Slave seals have gone.
3. Master has gone.

Now number 1. Seems to pop up as much 3. For similar symptoms, now I’ve read that the oil should be checked (Dot 5.1) did a search on this, is this the same as brake fluid – where can I buy?
I need to open the mastic cover and reveal the reservoir, and maybe attempt to bleed. All of which if told how to do I’m very capable of.

Any ideas – or should simply call AA out? I always like to try and attempt to fix things before shipping it off to TopCats.

help
Deano

[mar1b0ro]

i had a similar problem on mine recently. couldnt engage any gear when it was cold and ended up managing to struggle home in third gear as i was afraid to try any other gear. when it was warm it tended to find a gear easier. luckily mine was just lack of fluid in the reservoir which is easily fixed once you have removed the top panel on the bonnet, cut away the mastic seal on the protective cover which sits over the reservoir on the drivers side of the car, undo a couple of screws and voila. Hope yours is as simple.

[mad mark]

I lost the oil in mine a while ago (not sure where it went ) but i couldn't select any gears when it was cold, i thought my fingers had gone again. But it was just low fluid. been ok since topping it up.

[kojak]

Here is the clutch bleed nipple if you wasn't sure where it is.





Hope it helps.

[dean_ratpac]

Dot 5.1 seems to be the stuff recommended, any make of preference.. best place to get?

[dean_ratpac]

mad mark said:

been ok since topping it up.

you've used the word topping? do you have to do it frequently?

[mad mark]

dean_ratpac said:

mad mark said: been ok since topping it up. you've used the word topping? do you have to do it frequently?

Sorry I should have said "topped" it up.
My spell and grammar checker had gone to bed.

[dean_ratpac]

mad mark said:

dean_ratpac said: mad mark said: been ok since topping it up. you've used the word topping? do you have to do it frequently? Sorry I should have said "topped" it up. My spell and grammar checker had gone to bed.

I've read a few topics now, seems everyone has similar problems including you Mad mark.

HOW TO:
flushing bleeding the system, can someone help with this? pics would be great.

the pic earlier is this the same on the 4.5?

[mad mark]

Yes the nipple is in the same place on the 4.5.
Its quite straight forward to bleed the system, but not sure the best way to flush out all the crap out.

Personally, imho, its only a clutch, its not like its the brakes, so I dont think you need to be quite so fussy about high dot ratings and stuff.
(i'm sure someone will come on and say otherwise)

[spartacus]

dean_ratpac said:

mad mark said: dean_ratpac said: mad mark said: been ok since topping it up. you've used the word topping? do you have to do it frequently? Sorry I should have said "topped" it up. My spell and grammar checker had gone to bed. I've read a few topics now, seems everyone has similar problems including you Mad mark. HOW TO: flushing bleeding the system, can someone help with this? pics would be great. the pic earlier is this the same on the 4.5?

Dean, If you are bleeding this weekend I can give you a hand assuming its a 2 man job, I think I need change the fluid in mine soon so would be useful to know how its done.
Pete.

[spartacus]

mad mark said:

Personally, imho, its only a clutch, its not like its the brakes, so I dont think you need to be quite so fussy about high dot ratings and stuff. (i'm sure someone will come on and say otherwise)

yes, but I think a high dot rated clutch fluid is less heat sensitive, so should be a big bonus in heavy traffic!

[Steve_T]

mad mark said:

Yes the nipple is in the same place on the 4.5. Its quite straight forward to bleed the system, but not sure the best way to flush out all the crap out. Personally, imho, its only a clutch, its not like its the brakes, so I dont think you need to be quite so fussy about high dot ratings and stuff. (i'm sure someone will come on and say otherwise)

Is this similar to bleeding brakes? As in you need someone sat in the car, pumping the clutch pedal, with someone else working the bleed nipple and checking for bubbles in the fluid as it is expelled? I've only ever done the brakes on my motorbike when I fitted braided hoses, but I'm presuming a similar principle here.

Thanks,

Steve.

[dean_ratpac]

spartacus said:

Dean, If you are bleeding this weekend I can give you a hand assuming its a 2 man job, I think I need change the fluid in mine soon so would be useful to know how its done. Pete.

i was going to attempt a little look at the levels tonight, see if they need topping up. i walked from the office to only find Dot4 clutch fluid (very hard to find anything for your car in london).
i need to drive the car tomorrow, so a temp fix hopefully, otherwise i may need to get the fingers/seals checked, which means over to topcats. can you mail me your number - i will be free on sunday to tinker!

[budaholic]

Halfrauds do there own brand of Dot5.1 fluid, I'd assume its the same as any other. Dot5.1 does have a higher boiling point so it will withstand the heat from your manifolds better.

Bleeding is exactly the same as your brakes. As pedal is pushed down, open the nipple and expel air/dirty fluid. Close nipple before lifted clutch pedal. Repeat until any air bubbles are expelled and the fluid runs nice and clear.

Or you can try an Eezibleed kit, makes it a one man job then!

Oh, and 1 litre is plenty. The clutch system holds very little fluid.

Bud

[JohnSw20]

Hi Dean,
I have the same problem and can not get the car in gear. I only live in Raynes Park so if you do need a hand I'll be about on Sunday, as I to would like to see if this works on your car so I can try it on mine. I'm just don't think my clutch has gone I just can not get it in gear.

Cheers

John

[Steve_T]

Where are you chaps meeting up? I'm always interested in learning a bit more about the motor, so am more than willing to lend a hand/foot, some tools etc.

Cheers,

Steve.

[spartacus]

Looks like a potential clutch bleeding extraviganza for Sunday, think better get a few gallons of DOT 5 for the occasion!

[dean_ratpac]

I checked the level of fluid in mine last night, it seems topped up, could be air in the system I’m not sure? I’m thinking more likely it’s the fingers that have gone rather than air!
I’m ff to a friends tonight, well that's if I make it... if it breaks down - its low loading time to TopCats.

'My fingers' are bloody hurt this morning, it took me nearly 30 mins with veins popping out, huge amount of profanity to get the top off the reservoir. Without taking the air box off you've no leverage.

Dean

[spartacus]

dean_ratpac said:

I checked the level of fluid in mine last night, it seems topped up, could be air in the system I’m not sure? I’m thinking more likely it’s the fingers that have gone rather than air! I’m ff to a friends tonight, well that's if I make it... if it breaks down - its low loading time to TopCats. 'My fingers' are bloody hurt this morning, it took me nearly 30 mins with veins popping out, huge amount of profanity to get the top off the reservoir. Without taking the air box off you've no leverage. Dean

last time i did it i took the air box off, its 4 bolts but save a hell of a lot of grief!

[gazzab]

3 bolts!!