mwc951

I had the car out today, '88 w/56K, just upgraded turbo, wastegate, MBC, Guru chips, etc, etc. Changed tranny fluid to RedLine 7590NS(2qt) at that time. The car has been running great. Stopped for some food on the way home, came out of the pub and the car would not go into gear. When I shut the car off I smelled something, I assumed it was brakes due to a spirited afternoon drive. With the engine off, the shifter actuates all gears fine, with the engine running the car WILL NOT go into(any) gear. I was able to find 3rd and limp the car home. Once in the drive way, with the engine off I put the shifter in 1st and push the clutch to the floor. Start the engine and the car begins to move, clutch on the floor, same symptoms with the trans in reverse.

Is my clutch toast?? Any symptoms that are tell tale signs of clutch failure??

F*** ME!!!!!!!!!!

NZ951

Some people note a change in gearbox behaviour with different oils, but not going into gear is not one of them. Clutch is very different from oil and brakes smells. Have you had any minor symptoms of what you are experiencing before? The clutch usually fails gradually unless provoked.

mwc951

NZ......no minor symptoms to speak of. I have not had a chance to crawl under the car yet. I was praying for shift linkage or trans mount. Clutch is a big & costly job. Don't know if I can tackle it myself.

NZ951

Clutch is an opportunity! Linsdey Racing have a good selection Could look at an ally flywheel too...

Tom M'Guinn

Sounds like your hydraulics are going bad. Check the fluid level and check for leaks -- you can find them under the car near the starter motor, on the floorboard behind the carpet under the clutch pedal, on the firewall behind the master cylinder, and at the clutch hose connections. The smell could be fluid on the exhaust.

It sounds like your clutch is clamping fine, but the clutch pedal is not releasing the pressure plate (due to a lack of hydraulic pressure). If the clutch were bad, it will usualy slip under power, or shimmy from a stop. A broken clutch plate spring can cause your problem, but the chances are highly in favor of the hydraulics. The master and slaves are common failures on these cars. Bleeding is a pain, but it is a heck of a lot easier than replacing a clutch!

dime1622

mwc, ive been having the same problem, even happened last nite. usually letting it sit, or turning it off, gettin on the brake, then starting it up fixes it. i think its hydraulic. i have the exact same symptoms. in fact, when i try to press it into gear when it happens, with the clutch it, it starts to move forward.

reno928s

It sounds like your slave cyclinder is bad. Reno

mwc951

Thanks to everyone for the input..........more optimistic now.......the reservoir does appear to be a bit low on brake fluid. Can't identify any leaks from the top of the engine, none inside at the clutch pedal either. Need to crawl around under the car tomorrow.

If the salve or master fails, will there be a leak?? Is it possible for these to fail without a fluid leak?

Tom M'Guinn

I have a Toyota blow a seal inside the master cylinder once. No leak, no pressure, so I suppose it is possible. I bet yours is leaking somewhere though.

dime1622

maybe master cylinder. i just replaced my slave cylinder

ldt1

had a previous 951 that developed a problem where occasionally the pedal would stick when I pushed the clutch in to the floor and I would have to get my toe under the pedal and pull it out. replaced both cylinders and still no fix. ended up being an 8" metal line that was bulging and it was a dealer only part costing $130.00. ordeal went on for 3months. intermittent clutch problem = porsche induced insanity.j

hosrom_951

Just asking,when changing the brake fluid, do you HAVE to change the mast/slave cylinder fluids and bleed them too? or is it recommended?

Ben Z.

I hope it's the hydraulics, but my money is on the broken spring. It happened to me with the exact same symptoms and at least two others have posted since with the same symptoms/results. If it all of a sudden starts working fine, I will gaurantee you that it is the spring, and another broken spring is iminent.

NZ- To me it seems like these clutches fail gradually fairly rarely. Mine had a bunch of material left.

mwc951

OK...........replaced the master to slave line & slave this evening. Had my wife crying bleeding the SOB! Took 2 hours & 3/4 a liter of fluid, finally got pedal. Seems to have taken care of the problem! The car is still on stands, need to check tranny fluid level tomorrow, but with the engine running the trans goes into gear no problem. Forward & reverse.
Thanks for all your suggestions.............Rennlist rocks. Bill at AutoTechPlus as well.........had everything in stock and smokin prices to boot.

Tom M'Guinn

mwc,

So did you ever find an external leak?