paS2K

I got in my '03 GPW this morning and started engine...all OK. Depressed clutch to back out of my garage space, but could not ENGAGE ANY GEAR...either reverse or 1st gear. Drove perfectly last week...never any shifting issues. 106k miles on the clock.

Have did a search on this forum, , but did not find any mention of this happening to others. Clutch fluid and trans fluid changed by Billman250 about 15,000 miles ago. Clutch time?

B serious

Does the pedal feel different?

You mean you just can't get the shifter to actually go into gear when the car is on? Or?

windhund116

How many miles on the clutch disc?

Save the Manual Wagons!

Probably a clutch hydraulic issue. What is the fluid like? Is the master cylinder leaking by the pedals? I would start by bleeding it.

aaronyuri

Start by trying to engage gears when the engine is off - no need to use the clutch. This will rule out the gearbox and shifter being the culprit.

If that's fine then you have a clutch issue. This could be hydraulic or mechanical and it's much easier to check the hydraulic system.

Firstly, check there is fluid in the reservoir.
Secondly, check that the slave cylinder's push rod moves when you press the clutch.
If the slave moves a good distance, this is likely mechanical.
If the slave moves a small distance, try bleeding it. It could be partially failed, or there could be an issue in the master which would need further investigation.
If the slave doesn't move at all, time to check the master.

I'm going to hedge my bet on your slave being kaput.

paS2K

[QUOTE=aaronyuri;24996832]Start by trying to engage gears when the engine is off - no need to use the clutch. This will rule out the gearbox and shifter being the culprit.

If that's fine then you have a clutch issue. This could be hydraulic or mechanical and it's much easier to check the hydraulic system.

Firstly, check there is fluid in the reservoir.
Secondly, check that the slave cylinder's push rod moves when you press the clutch.
If the slave moves a good distance, this is likely mechanical.
If the slave moves a small distance, try bleeding it. It could be partially failed, or there could be an issue in the master which would need further investigation.
If the slave doesn't move at all, time to check the master.

Here's my report....thanks for questions:
-- with the engine OFF, I can shift thru all fwd gears plus reverse (with the engine ON, I cannot shift into ANY gear
- there is fluid in the clutch reservoir (but it was low when this problem came up and I topped it off with DOT 3 brake fluid) I also had to ADD some fluid to the clutch reservoir about 5 years ago when shifting was "notchy"
- there is a bit of oil where the slave cylinder penetrates the firewall sleeve
- the slave push rod moves a GOOD distance....thus you think the problem is "mechanical " and not hydraulic

Additional info per other questions:
- clutch is original; I have never tracked the car, except for a couple of modest AutoX sessions years ago
- my S has about 107k on the clock
- diff fluid changed at 84k miles by Honda dealer
- clutch fluid and trans flued changed at 92k miles by Billman250

Aaron or anyone: What does the "mechanical" issue comment mean ? New clutch? Linkage? Other?

aaronyuri

Did I read that right: you've been putting Honda MTF in your clutch reservoir? That's how I'm reading it. You need to put DOT 4 hydraulic fluid in there.

Save the Manual Wagons!

Please verify this. The clutch reservoir gets brake fluid, *NOT* manual transmission fluid.

B serious

You put MTF into the clutch reservoir?

You'll want to now replace the whole hydraulic system if that's the case.

That is the source of your issue.

If not and that was a typo...
You have a hydraulic problem. Either a leak, air in the lines, or a hydraulic component failure. Have someone diagnose and fix it.

Future reference...
you have to flush brake and clutch fluids once every 2 years, or the hydraulic system will start breaking down...and usually the seals won't ever stop seeping after the damage is done.

The specified fluid is DOT3 brake fluid.

windhund116

Let's pray for a huge Freudian slip!