Clutch or What???

[klpete45]

I've been out of town for 2 months and today I decided to take the ol' Z for a cruise. However, this was not to be. The clutch pedal fell to the floor with no (or very little) resistance. OK, I figure that since it worked perfectly last time it must not be very serious, after all what can happen to a clutch when the car is just sitting in the garage? My first thought was that the master or slave cylinder may have failed (I've never had to replace either so they must be fairly old) and the clutch lines appear to be intact and there is no fluid on the floor. So, I'll just push the car outside where I can work on it - oops, it won't move. With the emergency off and out of gear, it still remains firmly planted. I can put it in neutral and start it and it sits still and if I try to engage a gear, it grinds (as expected). However, what would keep it frozen so that I can't push it? Can the throwout or plates rust in place so that the clutch would not engage? If so why wouldn't the car move when I started it? It bebaves as though the gears where engaged. Does any of this makes sense to anyone? I would appreciate any suggestions. Specifically,

1. Why can't I push the car when its in neutral and the brake is off ?

2. why might the clutch pedal fall as it now does?

3. are these two events related (I''m sure they are)?

4. which caused the other to occur?

Thanks for any help, Ken

[klpete45]

I've also posted this on the Engine and Drive train forum:

I've been out of town for 2 months and today I decided to take the ol' Z for a cruise. However, this was not to be. The clutch pedal fell to the floor with no (or very little) resistance. OK, I figure that since it worked perfectly last time it must not be very serious, after all what can happen to a clutch when the car is just sitting in the garage? My first thought was that the master or slave cylinder may have failed (I've never had to replace either so they must be fairly old) and the clutch lines appear to be intact and there is no fluid on the floor. So, I'll just push the car outside where I can work on it - oops, it won't move. With the emergency off and out of gear, it still remains firmly planted. I can put it in neutral and start it and it sits still and if I try to engage a gear, it grinds (as expected). However, what would keep it frozen so that I can't push it? Can the throwout or plates rust in place so that the clutch would not engage? If so why wouldn't the car move when I started it? It bebaves as though the gears where engaged. Does any of this makes sense to anyone? I would appreciate any suggestions. Specifically,

1. Why can't I push the car when its in neutral and the brake is off ?

2. why might the clutch pedal fall as it now does?

3. are these two events related (I''m sure they are)?

4. which caused the other to occur?

Thanks for any help, Ken

[ktm]

Check your emergency brake cable. Eventhough you released the handle, the cable could be stuck. Since you are able to start the car with your transmission in neutral, it is not the clutch/tranny that is inhibiting you car. If the emergency brake cable looks like its slack/in the release position, you will need to check your rear brakes to make sure that they have released as well.

Someone else posted a similar problems a few days ago. Turn the car off, put it in gear, and try to start it. If your clutch disk has become stuck to the flywheel, this may break it loose. It worked for the other poster.

[280~Master]

Ken I have a quick question for you. With the car off, can you shift thru the gears with no clutch?

1. Now from reading your post I can see the car is in neutral so you won't need the clutch to move it. There is the possability that the brakes are stuck (probly the drums). You also could have some frozen U-joints keeping things locked up. The diff might be stuck or the something fell while I was gone and is sitting under a tire keeping it stationary :stupid:.

2. You should bleed the slave and see if its working correctly.

3. They could be related but I don't know.

4. Only the Z GOD knows that one.

[dade280]

Haha reminds me of my car, the clutch disk and flywheel were stuck together, my mechanic fiddled with the gears a lil till it popped out of place.

[DeesZ]

Just guessing here, but I would not immediately think that the two issues are closely related..... I'd suspect for the clutch either you're low on fluid or a faulty slave or master (in that order). As for not being able to move the car, likely brakes binding.... try putting it in gear and then tapping the starter; hopefully that would pop loose any minor binding. Then you'll be able to push it out where you wish to work on it.

As suggested, start simple things first by checking the fluid level and make sure there is nothing under the wheels keeping you from moving it. Then, before bleeding (and during) make sure that the master cylinder is full enough not to suck air.

Please keep us posted with respect to what you find.

"Starting simple" reminds me of a good friend who had no water flowing in the kitchen sink after remodeling the kitchen. He replaced about $1K worth of plumbing & had his wife doing dishes in the bathtub for two weeks.... (need I say how happy she was?) What was it? The screen in the sink faucet, a $0.05 item. I've done things like that as well....

[EScanlon]

Ken:

Most members use the Active Threads part of the forum, as such, duplicate posts aren't helpful.

E

[EScanlon]

I had the same problem with a Roadster. Talked to my mechanic and he suggested a very simple procedure that corrected the dumped clutch.

Press and depress the clutch pedal while a friend GENTLY taps on the Clutch Master Cylinder. It's possible that when you pushed in the pedal, the cylinder's seal got "stuck" and a little persuasion is needed to get it moving again.

It worked for my Roadster.

By the way, duplicate posts aren't needed. Most folks check the Active Threads List.

HTH

E

[ktm]

Ken:

Most members use the Active Threads part of the forum, as such, duplicate posts aren't helpful.

E

Exactly. I responded to his first query in the drivetrain forum. I do not respond to cross-posts.

[ktm]

Doh, I forgot about his clutch pedal issue entirely. Chances are the clutch disk is not bonded/stuck to the flywheel. The pressure plate is unable to disengage the clutch due to an issue with either the master or slave cylinders.

[Mike]

I merged the threads together. Thx.

[klpete45]

I wasn't aware of the correct protocol for posting. Didn't mean to offend anyone by posting on 2 different forums, I just wanted to get the greatest exposure. Sorry, now I know better. :nervous: Thanks to all of those who have responded. I tried starting the car in gear, but didn't do any good. Brakes are not locked - I pulled the wheels and checked. Will try the master cylinder route this pm . Thanks again. Ken