Clutch fault

[Jonnybravo]

I have a ABY S2 Avant, whilst coming home on saturday evening I lost all gears when making a gearchange at about 5k, I coasted to a stop and tried to select it idling without any luck.

Eventually after it was off for a while I managed to get it into 3rd and went to start it but it just tried to drive off in gear so I assumed the clutch release or something along those lines had failed ?

Today I had the time to take a better look at it, I checked the adjuster on the pedal which seemed fine, the hose clearly seems to be holding pressure fine and there are no visible leaks ?

The clutch slave runs on the same fluid as the brakes if I am correct ? the resevoir is still full although I will be honest it looks like its long overdue a fluid change in that department ! Is it possible to boil the clutch fluid ? I'm trying to rule out most things before removing the gearbox.

Whilst pressing the clutch earlier a friend send you can see movement in the clutch/flywheel area through a small inspection hole, I'd presume this is normal as there is no noises when running so nothing is loose inside the bellhousing in my opinion, you can clearly here the release bearing pressing on the plate when you press the pedal, to be fair it sounds quite noisy but I rarely if ever take note of what it sounds like that its usually running so I struggle to hear myself let alone a creaking clutch.

Any advice from someone who has had similar problems would be appreciated, ideally I don't want to have to remove the gearbox as it looks to be a PITA.

Regards

James

[s2avant]

I had a similar problem with mine while changing up at high revs. Went for third and got nothing. It turned out it had snapped the retaining spring in the pressure plate. Cluth release was working as it should but without the spring it does nothing. Not bad considering it was the original clutch at something like 130,000 miles. The clutch still had plenty of life in it too. Box out job I'm afraid.


Ben

[gedu]

Either you drop g-box or lift engine to service clutch, choice is yours :S

[Tommen]

Hi James.

I had the same problem on my Rs. Out crusing and when changing from 3rd (smooth) to 4th, it woudent. Without any warning it was impossible to put in gear.

The Cause and well known problem:
slave cylinder.jpg

The little devil:
slave cylinder front.jpg

The clutch slave runs on the same fluid as the brakes if I am correct ?

Yes, that's rigth.

Before changing the slave cylinder I tried to bleed the clutch system and discovered a rarity
resevoir.jpg

[Alistair E]

I had almost the exact problem before Christmas. A few suggestion about pressure plate fingers. Engine was coming out at some point so it just brought that forward.

Pushrod of slave cylinder looked exactly the same as above but I'm not sure that was the only problem. Took the clutch master cylinder out yesterday. The pushrod from the pedal had buckled slightly. It wasn't obvious on first inspection. Have a quick check there first, may save some expense and time.

Got mine home by starting in second gear. Pulled up the drive, pressed the clutch and it didn't stall. It was just not enough to get it into gear.

Alistair

[QUOTE=Tommen;400162]Hi James.

I had the same problem on my Rs. Out crusing and when changing from 3rd (smooth) to 4th, it woudent. Without any warning it was impossible to put in gear.

The Cause and well known problem:
slave cylinder.jpg

The little devil:
slave cylinder front.jpg

[Jonnybravo]

Thanks for the info so far guys.

I would say the slave isn't broken only due to the fact you can hear the release bearing pressing on something when you push the pedal, its just not as tight as normal though I would say.

So its definately looking like a gearbox removal although finding a ramp to do it on is going to be a bit of a nightmare so what is actually wrong with just taking the engine out and doing it that way ? loads more work ? I'm thinking its maybe a good time to freshen up a few things I've felt aren't right for a while.

Any advice on that would be cool, I really don't fancy doing the box on axle stands on my drive, I did a clutch on a R33 GTR once and never again, it was hassle and extremely heavy lol

[S2central.net]

NOthing wrong with suggested way of taking out engine to get to the clutch. That can at least be done with a good crane on the ground... Removing the gearbox needs more height and a gearbox support under the ramp to take the strain... 'box is very heavy.

Only problem with engine out suggestion is the other hundred things you'll want to do while you have all that clearance to work on it and other things in the engine bay.

[Quattro Ayes]

Just curious. How long would it take to get the engine out and how long would it take to pull the box down?

[Jonnybravo]

Your definately right about the other hundred things Paul, just off the top of my head I can think of 5 things although tbh there not expensive so may as well be done.

[S2central.net]

With the right equipment - taking out box must be faster...

Ball park with two pairs of hands I'd say ~4 hours to get the engine out and that assumes no major hiccups with seized bolts etc.

Probably could get box out in 2 hours with two good men, a ramp and no major drama along the way. Lot more stress and time without a ramp and stand though.

[Jonnybravo]

Thanks Paul, my issue is that the car can't be driven or towed (as its 4x4) and the nearest ramp I can use is 20 miles away so it is far easier to have the engine out.

4 Hours isn't too bad, ofcourse I'll expect some problems.... its an S2 lol

[Rusty]

Box is a pig to get out. Even on a ramp. It weighs 100kg ish FFS so unless you're built like a tank you need 2-3 people to lift it out. Have seen 1 bloke beast my gearbox off a transmission stand to the floor

[smogthemog]

My S6 has just done a very similar thing

Was changing up at 6K and lost clutch operation. The pedal went to the floor but I brought it back up with my foot. It didn't go to the floor again but there was still no clutch operation when pressing it. Got it home on the starter in second (only half a mile away from home luckily) and during then it did work a couple of times which is strange??
Got home and bled the system but to no avail.

Does this sound like a G-Box off job and what is it that has happened?

Thanks

Jim