Clutch M/Cyl or G/Box issue?

[abently]

I suspect a bit of everything....

So here is what I do know;

- It is difficult sometimes to engage first gear, 2nd - 5th are fine. Seems random but I will play closer attention to see if I can pin point anything.
- It has become (mild-severe) difficult to disengage reverse.
- Clutch fluid was dark and after emptying left dark residue on walls of plastic container, part of the M/Cyl.
- Adjusting the clutch pedal rod and travel length, plus flushing the system hasn't seemed to fix the problem with first gear and reverse.
- I know the clutch slips, doesn't like to go beyond 80-90kph up hill. Ok to go beyond 100+ on a horizontal road.

Now that I've written it all out, I suspect new tranny fluid (apart from a new g/box) should provide an temp fix?

Additionally altering the clutch pedal rod didn't seem to move the pick-up point, which either means I didn't do it right (doubtful) or something else is playing up with the clutch system..

[MR22ZZ]

The black residue in the reserviour sounds like the seals have perished.
Do you have signs of fluid leaking into the car through the hole in the firewall where the pushrod goes?
also worth checking the slave cylinder on the gearbox

[abently]

The black residue in the reserviour sounds like the seals have perished.
Do you have signs of fluid leaking into the car through the hole in the firewall where the pushrod goes?
also worth checking the slave cylinder on the gearbox

Yeah no, not at all. I'll have a second squizz tomorrow just to confirm that is so.

I'll also keep an eye on the fluid level though. Obviously a leaky cylinder means its operating pressure would be below OEM specs.

I'm hoping the seals haven't perished, I'm not up for bastard jobs in this summer heat.

[sbfoot]

difficult selecting 1st and reverse means your clutch is not fully disengaging when pedal is depressed so changing the gearbox oil wont really help.
check for signs of leakage around slave cylinder and master cylinder as described and if no luck start saving for a clutch kit!
Scott

[lexsmaz]

When its difficult to get out of reverse try whilst the engine is still running lifting the clutch pedal off the floor slightly & see where the car starts to move / load up, if the pedal is still very close to the floor, it could be clutch adjustement or loosing fluid pressure, if the pedal take up height seems to change it will be fliud pressure loss, if its always near the floor its adjustement etc ..

On another note, if the take up height is 1/2 way up the pedal stroke roughly give or take a bit turn off the engine when you are having trouble getting it into gear out of gear etc & if its ok to select gears with the engine off it will be clutch drag as the cause .. If its clutch drag a lighter gear box oil will make it slightly harder again to get it into gear with the engine running ...

[abently]

Ok, so I can confirm there is no leakage happening inside the vehicle around the rod area.

I am also 99% positive that there is no leakage inside the engine bay area but I'll confirm that is so in a week when I recheck the level.

lexsmaz, thanks I'll take note next time I have trouble disengaging reverse where the take up point is. I already figured out to switch the car off, when I'm having trouble so hopefully I can work around the problem for a couple of weeks.

Disengaging reverse seems a little better now compared to the frustration I was having previously, touch wood..

[allencr]

The clutch isn't being disengaged & is dragging. You should know by pedal feel if the MC&S isn't working right from a soft pedal. The clutch fork may be cracked & flexing.
Different lube? Don't waste your time.

[abently]

The clutch isn't being disengaged & is dragging. You should know by pedal feel if the MC&S isn't working right from a soft pedal. The clutch fork may be cracked & flexing.

You may be onto something. Clutch feel isn't as distinct as it should be but if it isn't loosing fluid, which I suspect it isn't, then there's not much I can do.

I would be surprised to see a cracked or flexing fork with an OEM P/P...