Haney

I did not drive my Prelude for about a week... Well, when I got in it the other morning, I had a real hard time getthing it in gear. The clutch pedal had plenty of pressure (nothing really changed). When the car is not running it will go into all the gears fine. Running with the the clutch fully depressed, it is hard to get into gear and when you do get it in gear, it is like the clutch is trying to engage even when the pedal is against the floor. This happened all at once.....

If I didn't have any clutch pedal, I would say it was the slave or master but I still have full pedal. How much travel should I have at the slave cylinder. I had my wife push the clutch as I watched it and it looked to be traveling a lot?

Any guesses?

preludatic

the first thing i can think of (at this point) is to check your clutch fluid... although usually when that is empty you'll have alot of play in the clutch pedal.

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yield

I would still think it's related to the master or slave as it appears to be a problem with hydraulics.

EDIT: do you know how to check the master? Just look inside the cabin where the clutch goes through the firewall. If there is any fluid there your MC is shot.

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Solid

I third that this is a clutch issue.

-Check fluid levels
-Check for leaks
-Check pedal adjustment

You may need to replace the slave/master.

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Haney

I messed with it a little tonight and I really am thinking it is a Throw Out bearing! With the car running in neutral, no noise or jerking. I can not get the car in gear. Starting the car in gear with clutch in I get a lot of noise and jerking like the clutch is just on the verge of engaging.

Not running the gears shift fine.

I bled the slave and there was no air in the system. I could not see where anything was leaking and the pedal is firm.

What do you guys think with this new, extra info.....

G_Loc

You could have busted one of the spring retainers on the clutch causing a spring to pop out. Its a pretty common failure. Just need a new clutch.

But before you remove the tranny, have someone depress the clutch pedal and look at the arm that the slave cylinder moves. See how far it moves and if its moving at all.

Also, the slave cylinder has a little rubber boot around the end, it could be leaking underneath it. Play with the boot a bit and see if any fluid leaks out.

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Haney

Thanks for all the replies..... One last question. Can someone tell me how much travel in INCHES I should have at the slave cylinder / clutch fork?

mgcshroomz

throw out bearing

sounds exactly like what my friend's celica was doing. stop at a stop light and then couldn't get back into 1st. had to turn the car off, put it in 1st, and then turn the car over.. worked for about a week. (really really aggervating)

sorry broseph!

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Haney

The problem turned out to be loose springs on my clutch disk!!! Good call G Loc! New clutch, Pressure Plate, TB and Flywheel now installed.