Car People - Help! Transmission Problem...

[novon]

Yesterday, my car ran fine, today, I get in to drive it, and I notice the clutch is really loose, and then when I try to shift, it's really hard to. Does this have something to do with warming up the car? Lack of Transmission Fluid? Or is my transmission just screwed? It's fairly low miles 45K 95' Integra.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Soybomb]

You might want to have the clutch cable checked!

 

[Mister T]

was it really cold outside? You should let the car run for 5 minutes or so if it's below zero...

 

[PCAddict]

If it is a hydraulic clutch, you might be low on fluid. Check your manual.

 

[novon]

okay, thanks guys, I'll have it checked out, I hope it's nothing major.

 

[bobtist]

This is a clutch problem, not transmission. Check your fluid, sounds like it's just low. If it is, look for leaks at the clutch master cylinder (opposite side of the firewall from the clutch pedal) and at the clutch slave cylinder (bolted onto the side of the tranny, attached to a hydraulic line from the master cylinder). They go bad.

 

[Soybomb]

Mister T: How come? If the tranny isn't moving its only picking up radiant heat from the engine so the fluid shouldnt warm alot.....

edit: if it is a hydraulic ignore my comment on checking the cable and check the fluid but I thought those cars had a cable...

 

[yakko]

Soybomb,

The tranny always spins. It is just a question of whether it is in neutral or not.

 

[novon]

Will do...going down to the garage to check fluid now...

 

[Soybomb]

Right, but aren't the gears what usually toss the lube around to all the bearing and gears? Perhaps I'm all boobed up, trannys aren't my strong point

 

[yakko]

NovoN,

While you up grab me a beer.

Soybomb,

The gears are spinning tossing fluid around. The final drive is not or you would be moving.

 

[Pacfanweb]

<<The tranny always spins. It is just a question of whether it is in neutral or not. >>

Not the case when sitting still. If the clutch is depressed, the tranny is not spinning.
If you are moving, then something in the trans is also.

This sounds like a clutch concern. If hydraulic, ck the fluid...if low, find the leak.
If not low, poss. master cylinder problem.
Not out of question that it's a mechanical prob. with the clutch itself, but I'd look at the hydraulic system or cable (whichever it is) first.

 

[novon]

clutch fluid is empty, there is no puddle of fuild in the garage though, but there is not a lot of fluid in that container anyway.n the washer thing in the canister was titled sideways, so I don't know if that let extra fuild out? Does this fuild just get used up after a while or should I automatically suspect a leak in the system?

 

[bobtist]

You can't always find the leak in the midst of its crime, you have to look for clues, the evidences of it. If you don't see any leaks at the master cylinder (where you checked the fluid), follow the line that comes out of there until you get to the slave (which could be difficult to find since I know Integra's are butt-low to the ground. Look for places where fluid has come out of the system and attracted dirt, etc... I'm suspecting slave cylinder. Only a ~$20-$40 part on most cars.

 

[Pacfanweb]

The fluid does not get used up. You can use regular brake fluid to refill it. I'd look for a leak; the most common place leaks occur is at the slave cylinder on the trans. Hopefully, your slave cyl. is the type that is external. On some cars, the slave is made with the release bearing and you have to replace the whole clutch to change it. :frown:

Put some fluid in it and start pumping the pedal. If it gets fairly solid again, you can drive it; it will probably also be easier to find the leak, with fresh fluid running out.

 

[bobtist]

Add fluid for the time being, though. It'll hold you over until you do the job or get it done.

 

[desertdweller]

<<clutch fluid is empty, there is no puddle of fuild in the garage though, but there is not a lot of fluid in that container anyway.n the washer thing in the canister was titled sideways, so I don't know if that let extra fuild out? Does this fuild just get used up after a while or should I automatically suspect a leak in the system?>>

That little washer in the master cylinder is there to seal the system if it gets to low.

Best bet is take it to the dealer and have them look for a leak.


DD

 

[novon]

will do, I'm impressed by you guys, thanks for the advice.

 

[yakko]

<< Not the case when sitting still. If the clutch is depressed, the tranny is not spinning. >>


It is the case when sitting still if it is in neutral and you do not have the clutch depressed. If you are waiting for the car to warm up why would you be depressing the clutch anyway?

 

[TonyH]

If it's low on fluid, you can check for leaks on the clutch master cylinder by looking under the dash. Look for fluid on the firewall just ahead of the clutch pedal.
Also make sure that you check the clutch slave cylinder which is mounted on the transaxle.

Who would have thought 18 years experience as a transmission mechanic would come in handy on a computer forum?

 

[novon]

Okay, so there is a little bit of fuildunder the clutch peddle, so I assume a leak in the master clutch cylinder. Are these expensive to replace? How much should I expect to pay a mechanic?

 

[Pacfanweb]

<<It is the case when sitting still if it is in neutral and you do not have the clutch depressed. If you are waiting for the car to warm up why would you be depressing the clutch anyway? >>

Most people are sitting still at stoplights with the clutch depressed. They shouldn't be, but they do. Any other time, yes, the trans is in motion, one way or another.
And who specified the &quot;waiting to warm up&quot; situation?