31 replies to this topic

[mjf6866]

ok, thanks to everyone for the pointers.  i will flush my hydraulic fluid like Pat McCrotch suggested and see if that makes any difference.

 

one more question...if i had air in the system, would that eventually be worked out on its own since the clutch is "self bleeding" or whatever it is?

One thing I can say that a few can relate to, is anything you fool with the clutch and then pump it a couple hundred times, you likely need to pump it about a hundred more. Crazy how many times before it gets right!!!

 

i take it you have had similar problems?  did you have air in the system or something?

[dodgetime]

"one more question...if i had air in the system, would that eventually be worked out on its own since the clutch is "self bleeding" or whatever it is?"

 

in theory yep, but best to go ahead and pump the air out.  Unless you develope a leak in the brake/clutch circuit then the only other time to refill and pump/bleed it would be when you replace clutch parts and break the circuit open (which is what many of us have done) The upto 200 pumps is in the instructions for installing a new clutch

[Pat McCrotch]

Don't sell your self short on your own diagnosis either if the pumping and fluid dilution/exchange provides no relief. I put a new clutch/flywheel in completely dry and was fine for two + years. Then was forced to store over winter in an unheated warehouse and an intermittent symptom surfaced upon fire up. I suspect the splines on mine are not happy lube & perhaps rust wise. The discs need to be able to move freely on the input. Pretty precise stuff nowadays vs forks, pivot balls and rods that were adjustables.

[mjf6866]

ok, so now i tried the pump up on the pedal and it actually feels better.  i'm going to experiment with it tonight and try and pump it when i'm stopped in traffic to see if the problem comes back.  if not i'll know the fluid is possibly to blame.

 

thanks again guys, i'll update this later on

[mjf6866]

ok, for the update:

 

there is definitely an improvement.  if i take the time to pump the clutch when i was at a stoplight or a moment where i had time to take it out of gear, pump the pedal as many times as i could, right after doing that, the shift into 1st was MUCH better.  i did the test on level ground and the car barely lurched forward.  it seems the pedal was lacking just a hair and pumping it puts it back almost to where where it should be to the point were there is no drag on the clutch when putting into gear. 

 

i obviously shouldnt have to pump it every time like that, but what does that tell you guys?  air in the system or the fluid itself losing its integrity?

 

so i'm going to do the turkey baster suction method that Mr. McCrotch suggested and see how that goes hoping that diluting the fluid over time will work its way out.

 

thanks again to everyone that chimed in!

[dodgetime]

no surprise here if a little excersize is the fix, I got twice the mileage in half the time, "I unfriend you"    jk  keep on with the excersize, if your fluid looks clean and close to clear it may be fine also. 

 

take it in on the call back by all means, let them drop the trans clean and regrease. Spline input shaft or the gear select shaft  Seems like full circle to this point bro

 

I'm confused, I thought the call back was the shift rod/gear select up top needing special grease/treatment due to people not being able to pull out of one gear to another, especially after a bit of time parked. You dont seem to have that prob The splines on the input shaft is a new one on me, if thats the call back get er done.  GL

[mjf6866]

haha dodgetime, my car only gets about 2500 miles on it each summer cause i park it during the winter and it doesnt see rain

 

i'm very hesitant to let anyone work on my car except for my friend thats the benz tech because he knows how anal i am about keeping things nice.  the last thing i want is some inexperienced tech thats getting paid flat rate to rush through work on my pride and joy to try and get ahead on the hrs that chrysler will pay them for the job.

 

i know thats ridiculous and all, but i've always been that way after hearing and seeing horror stories from people that take their car in for warranty work and the wrong technician gets a hold of their car.

 

anyways, enough of the rant from me....i really appreciate the help from you guys here.  i will follow up once i get some new fluid in there and let you all know how it goes!

[mjf6866]

did my first turkey baster pull of the old fluid...a little dark would you say?

 

[ChargerRob]

haha dodgetime, my car only gets about 2500 miles on it each summer cause i park it during the winter and it doesnt see rain

i'm very hesitant to let anyone work on my car except for my friend thats the benz tech because he knows how anal i am about keeping things nice. the last thing i want is some inexperienced tech thats getting paid flat rate to rush through work on my pride and joy to try and get ahead on the hrs that chrysler will pay them for the job.

i know thats ridiculous and all, but i've always been that way after hearing and seeing horror stories from people that take their car in for warranty work and the wrong technician gets a hold of their car.

anyways, enough of the rant from me....i really appreciate the help from you guys here. i will follow up once i get some new fluid in there and let you all know how it goes!

Your Benz tech friend probably never works on any manual trans cars since Benz hasn't made any manual trans cars for some time now.

[mjf6866]

Your Benz tech friend probably never works on any manual trans cars since Benz hasn't made any manual trans cars for some time now.

 

he actually has been a tech since the early 80s...not just with benz, so i know he's seen all kinds....

[Pat McCrotch]

did my first turkey baster pull of the old fluid...a little dark would you say?
 

Yup, quite dark. Good to refresh it even if no benefit to current symptom. Some vettes have it far worse.

http://www.rangeracc...lutch_Care.html

[mjf6866]

Yup, quite dark. Good to refresh it even if no benefit to current symptom. Some vettes have it far worse.

http://www.rangeracc...lutch_Care.html

Interesting read, thanks for sharing!