Clutch jam following near watery end

[alg]

Interesting problem and not one I plan to repeat.
On my way to work early yesterday morning. I came off the Edinburgh bypass, onto an A road with a blind bend. Usual route so no surprises you would think. However on rounding the bend at about 60mph I was faced with a flooded lane on my side, a car going round this on my side at about 10mph and another coming the other way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I braked (thankyou porsche) and took the only option by going through the water undertaking the slow moving car (did not have time to wave). I came out the other side without flooding the engine (thankyou audi) and continued to work. I informed the police of the hazard and sat with the engine until all the water had boiled away (always looks like you have overheated).
I left the car in gear (RS2 habit) and returned around 4pm. Took out of gear and started the engine. Attemped to select gear but no joy. Switched off and could select all gears. So selected, switched on,felt a thump and all was well again.
Was this water causing the clutch release to seize or unrelated and the sign of future problems. Up until now clutch perfect with no signs of wear.
Would there be a way to stop this ?

Finally I do not think any other car would have allowed me to get away with the above.
Oh and please dont tell me I should have been more careful I know

[Graham]

The water will have got in between the faces of the Friction plate and the fly wheel, and as it will have been warm it will have oxidised quickly throughout the course of the day, causing the friction material to stick to the flywheel. So the first time you dip the clutch, the spring will have released its pressure but the friction plate will have been still engaged. All you have done is broken the days build up of rust, it wont cause any damage, it is just annoying. It is exactly the same if you leave a drum braked car outside with the hand brake applied on a mild damp night the shoes bind on (common on Corsas/Novas, Astras ETC.). Usuallt as you pull away they bang as they release, but when they are bad you have to shock them, the quickest way on them cars was to lightly strike the wheel/drum with a hammer and you hear it clicking back into place.
If you look on the inspection hole you will probably see remnants of rust powder where it has been flung out as it released
HTH
Graham

[GlynRS2]

It is exactly the same if you leave a drum braked car outside with the hand brake applied on a mild damp night the shoes bind on (common on Corsas/Novas, Astras ETC.).

.....and of course RS2s

[Jas11n]

Uh??? never saw this post before Al,,,,,I had a similar incident last November,,,,,I went through a large (large as in "large in area",,,,,but not too deep) pool of standing water. Next morning I couldn't engage any of the gears whilst the engine was running. I turned off the engine, engaged first gear then let the car roll forward and released the clutch. I didn't hear any thump, but when the car was started I could select all gears as normal. I thought this must have been related a clutch problem I have encountered once,,,,namely I came off a roundabout (wasn't gunning it big style) and when I changed from 3rd to 4th the clutch pedal stayed on the floor I had to hook my foot under the pedal and physically pull it up Only ever done it once and was around august time last year on one of the rare hot days we had.
Strange cars sometimes

[alg]

I am just glad I was in the RS2 with brakes,4WD and excellent handling. I usually go round that corner FAST

I remember occasionally the clutch pedal would be sluggish in the last inch of travel. It never happened enough to cause concern. At the time put it down to my driving style !!

[audiman]

Had that happen on an old Lotus once. Your lucky you didnt leave it for much longer as if the rust is really gripping it, then the only cure is to take gearbox off and clutch off. Sometimes you can make it break free, but other times it wont. BTDT.

[Graham]

It is good practice to put the car in gear dip the clutch then start the car, this usually breaks it.