I have a 97 Accord EX (that shouldn't really make a difference, but whatever) standard/manual transmission

Two days ago when going to work, I rolled my car out of the driveway (my driveway is pretty steap, so i just use the clutch and dont bother with reverse). When I get into the street, I then put it in first, and drive away, etc.

Two days ago however, I went to put it into first, and it wouldn't even go. It wouldnt go into second, reverse, third, etc. I finally got it to go in somehow, and then after I was moving with gas, I could shift. I figured it could be something with the expansion of the metal in the heat of the day or something, who knows.
Driving home, it went into gear fine (at least, I don't recall any problems)

Today (I didn't work yesterday), the same thing happened. I also noticed that there was a lot of dead-room in the pedal (it seemed like more than usual. I did have new shoes on, but I had driven with them a couple of times previous and didnt feel really different). The clutch had to be almost fully pressed-down to feel any resistance.


Is it time for a new clutch?
Maybe it's something I can fix before it gets really bad and becomes time for a new clutch?
Is it out of the ordinary? It seemed to pop up out of nowhere.

Any and all help is extremely appreciated. thanks!

 

sounds more like a problem with your hydraulics than with your actual clutch. check to see if you can see any noticable leaks on your master or slave hydraulic cylinders.

 

I agree, check your clutch fluid reservoir, if there's air in the line that would be the first culprit. Second would be that it could be leaking somewhere in the hydraulic system.

 

yeah the master cylinder was bad on my old accord so what i did to be able to engage gears without it engaging itself, or just not letting me put it into gear, was i pumped the clutch to keep pushing fluid. so in the meantime, see if that helps and if it does, you know ur problem master cylinder

 

do i need to get a new master cylinder, or can i fix the problem easily? (i take it pumping the clutch wont fix it, just allow me to shift.).

Also, how much would that cost me, and also including labor?

thanks

 

I tried pumping it, and it let me shift gears okay, but i still have a LOT of dead-room in my pedal. I don't have enough money for a new clutch, much less a new tranny!

 

First thing is to bleed your clutch to get the air out of the system. If you're lucky that's all you need.

 

Yeah bleed your clutch lines and it should work. You might ask how? Ok you need two people to do that. Basically you pump your pedal 20 times and on the 20th time you keep it depressed. Then locate a nipple like nozzle near the slave cyl area and you simply loosen it and fluid should spray out of it with air bubbles. Then you tighten that nipple back. And pump the clutch 20 more times and keep it depressed on the 20th time. Then repeat process 4-5 times and pedal would get stiffer each time you do it. Then you're done
P.S. Keep an eye on the clutch fluid reservior keep it always full so it wont suck any more air.

 

If you have to get a new master cylinder you could probably rebuild it instead of replacing it. Much cheaper that way. I rebuilt my brake master cylinder on my motorcycle.

 

Well, I went to the shop and the seals on my Master Cylinder are broken, and I need a new one.

Will the master cylinder fix all of my problems (stiffen my pedal up, allow me to shift smoother, and remove the grinding when i try to put it into gear (especially reverse)?)


it's going to cost me 220 including labour

 

That sounds about right. That same problem happened to me, my pedal just went to **** and i couldnt shift. Turned out to be my slave cylinder though, it was spewing the fluid all over the place. I got my slave and master cyclinders replaced for i think 250 including labor. That is however, in Oregon, no sales tax. I took mine to the clutch doctors. Worked out good for me, best of luck to you and I hope that I was able to help a bit.

 

250 was a little steep for that job Anyway... if you have basic knowledge of where everything is its a 30 mins job. The only bitch thing is getting them bolts loose on the clutch line and a master cyl. Look at it from underneath the dash. Look at it from the top of the engine compartment and if its something u can do than go ahead. Master cyl itself is only 80 bucks. And yes it will fix all of the problems listed above.