Here's the issue (02 RSX type S):

Car has good clutch pedal pressure and a new clutch (3000 miles). It will engage in 1st and 2nd but will not go into 3rd and 4th gear and grinds when trying to do so. It also engages in 5th, 6th and reverse.

This is what is odd...I tried starting the car in 3rd gear on jack stands and letting out the clutch and its sometimes its fine...acts normal. Then I'll try starting it again in 3rd gear and after letting out the clutch pedal the whole engine and drivetrain will shake then the engine stalls.

Not sure why it would be so intermittent...


I'm about to pull the transmission to see what I find. Just wanted some insight before doing so

 

Forgot to update this thread.

I made a log of all my findings before pulling the transmission. Hopefully this may help others if they run into similar problem.

LOG:

A) ENGINE OFF.

With engine off. Cluch pedal in. It will engage all 6 gears and reverse.

With engine off. Clutch pedal out. It will engage all 6 gears and reverse.


B) ENGINE ON.

Engine on. With Clutch pedal in. It will engage 1, 2 gears. Will not go into 3 or 4. Grinds badly when trying to go into 3 or 4. It will go into 5 and 6.


Then sometimes with engine on, clutch in, it will go into 3 and 4 with slight grind. Hmm...

Then sometimes with engine on, clutch in, it won’t go into any of the gears.

At all times pedal pressure is good, and slave cylinder pin pushes all the way out with clutch pedal depressed to floor.

I can rule out the slave cylinder and clutch master cylinder.

Decided to pull the flywheel cover plate to inspect for any evidence of metal shavings... I found what appeared to be a broken rivet head. Maybe from the pressure plate?

TIME To Pull the Transmission...


Results:

Clutch release bearing broke into 2 pieces. Pressure Plate was broken into 4 pieces: