Soft Clutch Pledal and Stuck in Neutral

[peternvk]

Hi everyone,
First off let me introduce myself. Im Peter and am from San Diego, CA. Recently purchased a 1973 MG Midget and have been loving every second of it. I look forward to posting on the forums and helping with what I can. However, right now im in somewhat of a dillema.

After parking the car on a steep downgrade hill with hand brake engaged and car in first gear I come back after 8 hours to find that there is absolutly no resistence on my clutch pedal and feels as though it would drop to the floor if the spring wasnt holding it! I start the car and find im stuck in neutral and not able to shift into gear without having grinding. When the car is off naturally it has no problem sliding into gear. What could be wrong? Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Peter N

 

[paulsherman]

Bleed the clutch.

 

[jlaird]

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[racingenglishcars]

Yeah, but there's a reason it lost fluid / got air in the system. I would think the seal is gone in the slave cylinder.

 

[bugimike]

Or the master is leaking!!

 

[RonMacPherson]

Your hydraulic fluid in the clutch circuit is the probably the culprit.

First., pop the cap off the clutch master cylinder reservoir and check the fluid level. Probably low. Check under the pedals, shaft from the clutch pedal goes towards the firewall, see if there is any fluid on it, dripping from the firewall, if so the master cylinder is leaking. If it's dry(also check the firewall, engine side, under the master cylinder and make sure no fluid leak/stain there.

Then you need to go to the slave cylinder. It's down on the bellhousing, front of the transmission, check for leaks there, making sure the rubber boot is intact and the hose/line connecting the master and slave is intact and dry.

If all is good there then inside the bellhousing on the clutch fork/shaft something broke.

99% of the time it's the hydraulic actuation.