Problem with clutch! Help!

Toots

Hi All,

I'm having a bit of trouble with either the clutch or the gearbox in my car (I think). When I'm moving off, it's like something is getting stuck with the gears. My foot would be flat on the floor with the clutch, but I'm not able to get the car into first or second, the gearstick almost seems to be stuck. I'd be able to get into third (one of the times it happened today was at a busy roundabout and by some miracle I got started in third) and fourth no problem. Then a few minutes later, I'd get into first or second with no problems. Now I'm not sure if it's the clutch or the gearbox that's giving trouble, or both There's a good long travel on the clutch before it starts to engage, would that be a sign that it needs seeing to?

The car is a Rover45 Classic 1.4. It's 2004, the newer model. Can anyone suggest what might be wrong with it, and perhaps how much I'd be looking at spending to get it fixed? Any help would be much appreciated!!

Toots

Avns1s

Could be low on hydraulic clutch fluid, have you checked it?

Look into this before getting into more serious causes.

Toots

Don't laugh.... how do I check that?:o

crosstownk

Usually the brake fluid and clutch fluid are shared so if it was low the low brake fluid warning lamp would (should) light up on the dash.

I'd say your clutch/pressure plate is knackered.

How many kms on the clock?

markos79

or it could be just something simple like the gear selector shaft ?

Toots

There's about 45k miles on the clock. No brake fluid light has come on at all I just did my oil/coolant/brake fluid checks on Monday and they were all fine. Topped up the coolant a little bit, but that's all. Would the brake or clutch fluid go low that fast?

Steve

Could be a gear selector cable is loose. I wouldn't think it's the clutch as this would affect all gears in tha same way.

Captain Slow IRL

Try selecting gears with the engine off and the car stationary, and not using the clutch. If it's going into and coming out of gears okay, you have a failing clutch or clutch cable/hydraulic line.

If it's still giving trouble while stationary, you have trouble with the linkages or the box itself.

The fact there is so much travel with the pedal would point to a clutch, but it could be a leaking slave cylinder.

monster1

could be the clutch release bearing, making any strange noises?

zilog_jones

I had similar trouble with my car ('98 Fiesta) in that it was very hard to get into first or second when cold (especially in the winter). Got the gearbox oil changed and it improved things a lot, but it can still be a bit dodgy. Nothing unusual with the clutch though...