advice please

[snookes]

picked up my new cerb yesterday drove faultlessly for 130 miles, the only problem was having difficulty getting reverse. i had to stop the engine and engage rev then start the car to get her off the drive.then whilst showing off the car to parents could not engage any gear, after much struggling to get in to gear managed to select 1st but with clutch pedal pressed to floor the car started to move forward(as though i had engaged clutch) and then stalled.the clutch pedal now seems as though it's got no pressure now.
the car has recently had a new clutch master cylinder and had the rear main oil seal replaced. the car is a late 96 4.2 with the original clutch.
spoke to trackvroad who done the last service/work on car (they had gear box out for main oil seal) and confirmed that the clutch was in good condition.
any ideas anyone? also where is the clutch fluid resovoir.
many thanks for help

anthony

[Onzlouk]

The clutch fluid reservoir is located under the bonnet, drivers side inner wing under a round plastic cover which will be siliconed in place. Check this first and check fluid for black bits of rubber which is a sign your seals are going and obviously top up. check for fluid in drivers footwell which tells you its the master cylinder/seals failing and for fluid under the car which suggests slave cylinder. If all of the above are ok its possible your clutch fingers are on the way out which means a new one.
On a final note with reverse, remember to select fifth first then pull back to reverse gear

[peteA]

snookes said:

picked up my new cerb yesterday drove faultlessly for 130 miles, the only problem was having difficulty getting reverse. i had to stop the engine and engage rev then start the car to get her off the drive.then whilst showing off the car to parents could not engage any gear, after much struggling to get in to gear managed to select 1st but with clutch pedal pressed to floor the car started to move forward(as though i had engaged clutch) and then stalled.the clutch pedal now seems as though it's got no pressure now.
the car has recently had a new clutch master cylinder and had the rear main oil seal replaced. the car is a late 96 4.2 with the original clutch.
spoke to trackvroad who done the last service/work on car (they had gear box out for main oil seal) and confirmed that the clutch was in good condition.
any ideas anyone? also where is the clutch fluid resovoir.
many thanks for help

anthony

Not a good thing to happen for your first Cerb experience...

There are a number of things that can go wrong with the clutch and it is not unheard of for relatively new clutch installs to have problems. The master cylinder is inside the drivers side front wing...airbox off, remove panel, check fluid level. The slave cylinder and seals are inside the gearbox/bell housing - remove gearbox...

It may just need the fluid topping up and bleeding but this is usually the start of more problems but they can last for miles this way.

Or, it could be the clutch itself..?

There will be more comments from more qualified persons soon....

[snookes]

thanks for the input guys. it's at the local indie will get the news later this week

[schimg]

snookes said:

thanks for the input guys. it's at the local indie will get the news later this week

Hi Anthony,

Sorry to read this....just sent you a PM asking for pics etc ....hope it works out O.K. for you.

I will try and give you a call sometime today, the clutch in mine is very heavy....bled it replaced the fluid with Automec SBF....but found some small very small black particles in the "bled" stuff...sounds like the seals may be on the way out...so have a set of drama's heading my way..had a few of the lads try the clutch some say "god thats heavy and trired" others say "oh yeah that's an early clutch!" ...so gonna drive it til it goes...

May drop the box off as part of the planned Winter work..see how hings go...good luck with it.

[mikeinsheffield]

Onzlouk said:

The clutch fluid reservoir is located under the bonnet, drivers side inner wing under a round plastic cover which will be siliconed in place. Check this first and check fluid for black bits of rubber which is a sign your seals are going and obviously top up. check for fluid in drivers footwell which tells you its the master cylinder/seals failing and for fluid under the car which suggests slave cylinder. If all of the above are ok its possible your clutch fingers are on the way out which means a new one.
On a final note with reverse, remember to select fifth first then pull back to reverse gear

I used to select 5th before reverse to stop the "crunch", until speaking with Russell at RaceProved. He is very knowledgable and also owns a 4.2 Cerb - he recommends selecting 3rd not 5th prior to reverse.

I can't remember the exact technical reasons why, but its something to do with 5th only being held on with one clip (or something) and each time you select 5th it gives it a little knock. Too many little knocks and you increase the risk of 5th "clip" falling off into the gearbox and causing all kinds of expensive damage. Sorry for the completely ballsed up explanation - but I now select 3rd first - seems to work just as well and as easy as selecting 5th.....

[Buffoon]

Mine tends to jump out of reverse and can be a git to engage. I tend to select reverse, lift clutch slowly to biting point and the gear will then drop in when properly meshed. Dip clutch again and make sure lever fully home.

Yours however sounds like fluid / seals or fingers