Clutch questions

[freeheelsteve]

Hi Guys,

I have a '94 L300 Exceed 5 speed with verified 116,000km on it. I bought it recently and was thinking it would need a clutch in the near future, but now I'm thinking sooner.

Here are the symptoms:

1. Tough to get into first or reverse right after start up. Sometimes grabs the reverse (not nice sound)
2. Tough going into second when slowing down for a turn.
3. Sometimes I feel like the clutch slips, but I'm not really sure because I haven't owned it long and not sure what it should feel like.

Could these be symptoms of something else, related just to the shifter? I'm doubtful.

Thanks,
Steve

[marsgal42]

Sounds more like your clutch is out of adjustment and not disengaging properly.

Do L400s have a clutch cable or a hydraulic clutch?

...laura

[freeheelsteve]

Thanks Laura,

It's an L300 and it's a hydraulic clutch

Steve

[coaxial]

I've got 180,000 on mine and it still seems okay.. I am quite paranoid about it failing on a road trip though!

I'm not aware of a way to check or adjust it without separating the transmission & engine.

[marsgal42]

Oops. Me dum.

It still sounds like an adjustment problem.

...laura

[freeheelsteve]

Yeah, I talked to the mechanic who works on my VW all the time and he said because sometimes it grinds going into reverse, it may be air in the hydraulics, so the clutch is not fully disengaging or losing a small amount of hydraulic fluid from weepy master cylinder (I think). He suggested just getting it bled to begin with.

Other thoughts, all you mechanically inclined types.

Thanks,
Steve

[marsgal42]

A slipping clutch is usually pretty obvious on hills: slipping generates heat, and you will smell the results. I did in my old VW Jetta. In the extreme you will see odd relationships between engine RPM and vehicle speed. Just before you call the tow truck.

It seems improbable that you would have synchromesh problems so soon (the shifting in to 2nd issue). The same old Jetta had no synchromesh on 2nd, and questionable synchromesh on the other gears. I had to drive it like a crash box, pausing on upshifts and double-clutching downshifts.

...laura

[parkside]

Hi Steve,

I would definitely try bleeding the system first. There is no possible adjustment on these smaller hydraulic clutch systems. I would also check how much travel you're getting at the slave if you can. If this doesn't work then I would start replacing parts....ie: your leaky master.
Doesn't sound like you have a slipping clutch problem. Trying going up a steep hill and get the rpms up or put it in 3rd or 4th and then give er'. You'll notice it start to slip if the clutch itself is a problem. hope this helps.

Jesse Smith
Parkside Automotive
604-309-7718
parksideauto@hotmail.com

[freeheelsteve]

Thanks Jesse and Laura.
I have a CVI Delica tune soon, so I'll get them to check out the hydraulics.
Steve