UPDATE: Notice the car seems to attempt to creep forward as I try to shift into gear from neutral. Sounds like the clutch is slightly dragging. Any way to check for proper function of the slave/master cylinders?

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Hi everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

My 02 C4S (65k mi) has always been a joy to shift until a few days ago:

- Shifting into 1st, 2nd and to a lesser extent 3rd became a little harder. No big deal. I blamed it on the cool temperature that morning.
- Today, started the car, 1st, 2nd and 3rd were a little hard, same as previous days.
- Had to stop for errands. When I restarted it, it was almost impossible to shift into 1st. Eventually manage to force it and make it back home. All gears were hard to shift into. Didn't need 5th/6th.
- Once parked, I tested it out with the engine turned off. Shifting is super smooth and easy. Clutch feels fine. Brake/Clutch fluid level is fine. Never had any grinding gears.

Anyone can help diagnose?

I imagine the fact that it shifts fine when the engine is off means the shifter is OK? Is that a correct assumption?
Am I experiencing the symptoms of bad syncros? I doubt multiple syncros would go bad at the same time. Plus mileage is not high.
Clutch issues? Would the car creep forward in 1st gear with the clutch pedal fully depressed?

Really confused.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Cheers!

 

I’d try bleeding the clutch slave cylinder to start off with. It’s probably not been bled for many years.
If that doesn’t improve matters, it’s either the clutch master cylinder, the slave cylinder or a failing clutch, or clutch fork/release bearing.

 

you are right, recently bled the brakes but did not bleed the slave cylinder. Will give it a try. Thanks!