Alright, I have a problem. Today I went to put my car into the garage because it looked like rain.

So I hoped in and started it up. I tried to put it into reverse and it just grinded at me. Hmmm. So then I said "Let me try 1st" still no good, it just won't go into gear. No other gear works for that matter either. So I wound up shutting it off and then it would go into gear just fine. So I left it in reverse and turned it on. It took off on me even though the clutch was all the way in.

My father had said he thought it could be a linkage rod but I did not see anything about it in my Haynes book. Any ideas as far as if this is the problem or if it is something else? Is the linkage rod external or able to be repaired without pulling the tranny?

SuDZ

Originally posted by SuDZ

Alright, I have a problem.

My father had said he thought it could be a linkage rod but I did not see anything about it in my Haynes book. Any ideas as far as if this is the problem or if it is something else? Is the linkage rod external or able to be repaired without pulling the tranny?

SuDZ

No Linkage rods to worry about on a Z car. Clutch is hydraulically operated. Most likely is that your car is low on clutch fluid, and/or either the clutch master or slave cylinder are defective. Check fluid level in the master cylinder and look for wet spots on the clutch hydraulic lines to isolate the problem.

If it won't go into gear with the engine running, but will with the engine turned off, then the problem is in your clutch. Either you have no pressure from the master cylinder or the slave cylinder is leaking.

Try bleeding the clutch system and see if that helps. If not then look at the slave cylinder (mounted on the tranny bellhousing) first.

Also check to make sure the push-rod between the slave and clutch arm is adjusted correctly. I've had mine feel like it needed a new clutch where all it needed was to have the play tightened at the push-rod.

Well, looks like I will be adding the bleeding to my to-do list then. I figure that way It takes care of the first two replies in one shot. I was planning on trying to replace all the fluids anyhow since I was not sure when it was last done. Now I figure I will pick up some on lunch but, is there any reccomendations to look for? Are they primarily the same?

By the same I mean as in oil (I do not mean to start a huge war on oil types but I mean how in theory you do not need to track down anything special) or more like Automatic tranny fluid where you need certain types for different brands like Chrysler, Ford etc.

SuDZ

Well, looks like you guys were right about the clutch fluid. it was completely empty. Looks like I will be bleeding it and refilling it. Now I have to find out where it came from.

There also seemed to be a lot of black buildup in the canister. Not sure why.

SuDZ