Troubles putting car into 1st gear/Reverse

[Targaryen420]

Hey everyone, im having some trouble putting my car into first gear and reverse sometimes. It does this at random times, or when iv been driving around for a while. Also when i comes to a stop, or parked and turned back on.

What i have to do is push the stick in really hard, and the stick will bend, and it wont go into gear. It just wont. Ill have to turn off the car, turn it on, and sometimes pump the clutch down a couple times. to just get it to go in. When i put it into reverse, i heard some sounds close to a grind, or dropping sound. Any ideas?

 

[mp5la]

The fact that it works when you pump it makes me think the slave cylinder is going bad.

 

[MrGiggles]

Slave cylinders usually leak externally. Clutch master cylinders can leak internally, meaning that you won't lose any fluid from the reservoir, but pressure will not hold and let the clutch begin to engage.

The clutch shares fluid with the brake system. If you've been losing break fluid, you now know why.

 

[Targaryen420]

i dont think i have been losing brake fluid. How do i check?

 

[MrGiggles]

The reservoir is translucent and has marks that indicate minimum and maximum fluid levels.

 

[Targaryen420]

is it in front of the engine or the back? (Facing the hood)

 

[Hank3]

is it in front of the engine or the back? (Facing the hood)

Towards the back next to the battery:

 

[Targaryen420]

and if the fuel is low then i should just replace it? how can i tell if there is a leak?

So i just checked, the res is full. but i have no idea where the clutch slave cylinder is, or if its even accessible. How can i tell if there is air in the line? That problem sounds plausible enough. Im going though it all before i have to spend even more on this car.

 

[MrGiggles]

and if the fuel is low then i should just replace it? how can i tell if there is a leak?

So i just checked, the res is full. but i have no idea where the clutch slave cylinder is, or if its even accessible. How can i tell if there is air in the line? That problem sounds plausible enough. Im going though it all before i have to spend even more on this car.

If it's not low than you don't have an external leak. There's a good chance it's the clutch master cylinder. It's a 30 dollar part. Air can't just appear in the line unless it was ran low on fluid.

The clutch master cylinder is just beside the brake fluid reservoir, there is a rubber hose connecting them.

The slave cylinder is on the very front of the transmission, below is a photo of it. The angle of this photo is as if you were standing in front of the car, looking down onto the engine. It'll be just to the right of the center of the engine bay, on the front side of the transmission.

 

[pcb]

and if the fuel is low then i should just replace it?

Yes... Any good gas station sells gas.

When the fuel gauge reads close to "E", it's time to visit a gas station.

how can i tell if there is a leak?

You will smell gas in and around your car....

(sorry dude... I know it was a typo.... I couldn't help myself... )

 

[Balls]

I have had the same problem for several years. My issue is usually only when it's rather warm out or humid (rainy). I have replaced master, and slave cylinders, completely flushed the liquids, new motor mounts (all of them at once), new shifter with poly bushings, all to no avail. Next thing i'm going to try i replacing the clutch and flywheel problaby within the year. It's the most frustrating thing about this car!

 

[MrGiggles]

I have had the same problem for several years. My issue is usually only when it's rather warm out or humid (rainy). I have replaced master, and slave cylinders, completely flushed the liquids, new motor mounts (all of them at once), new shifter with poly bushings, all to no avail. Next thing i'm going to try i replacing the clutch and flywheel problaby within the year. It's the most frustrating thing about this car!

Could be the clutch release or pilot bearing. Those are usually accompanied by noise though.

 

[Targaryen420]

I have had the same problem for several years. My issue is usually only when it's rather warm out or humid (rainy). I have replaced master, and slave cylinders, completely flushed the liquids, new motor mounts (all of them at once), new shifter with poly bushings, all to no avail. Next thing i'm going to try i replacing the clutch and flywheel problaby within the year. It's the most frustrating thing about this car!

This. It happens before a storm or when its humid out.

is there anyway i can pull the rubber hose back to tell, on the master clutch cylinder? And how much would the clutch and flywheel be?

 

[Balls]

You can pick up a clutch and flywheel for around $300 if I remember correctly. Labor to install them will vary on where you go.

 

[MrGiggles]

This. It happens before a storm or when its humid out.

is there anyway i can pull the rubber hose back to tell, on the master clutch cylinder? And how much would the clutch and flywheel be?

An Exedy clutch kit is around 100 bucks from Rockauto. The flywheel can be surfaced for around 20 bucks.