Clutch problem on a....ahem! cough! cough!....mm..cheby..
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Jacksonville IL
Clutch problem on a....ahem! cough! cough!....mm..cheby..
Ok guys ! I am a ford guy in an out ! Never owned a Chevy in my life. But my step son has not seen the light yet. Ofcourse, he went from Dodge to Ford to Chevy. So, he picks what he can afford.
Anyway, his 1989 Chevy pickup does not want to shift if it is not completely warm. 4 speed manual with 350 engine. When he bought it, the previous owner said that the clutch is going out. Could be the clutch or the transmission needs to be looked at too?
I want to surprise him in Christmas by getting it fixed if I can afford it. But wanted to get a better idea as what is going on.
Anyway, his 1989 Chevy pickup does not want to shift if it is not completely warm. 4 speed manual with 350 engine. When he bought it, the previous owner said that the clutch is going out. Could be the clutch or the transmission needs to be looked at too?
I want to surprise him in Christmas by getting it fixed if I can afford it. But wanted to get a better idea as what is going on.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
It sounds like it isn't fully disengaging, so rather than the clutch itself failing, it may be in the hydraulic system to disengage it. It could be a failing master or slave, but first of all, check the fluid level.
Last edited by fellro86; Dec 9, 2005 at 11:00 AM.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
need to see how far it moves the clutch lever, the master may be not building enough pressure to move the lever enough. If it seems to move a good range, then it will require pulling the trans down, if the clutch disc is falling apart, it may hangg up, but that kind of thing doesn't happen that often. It is possiblre it had problems in the past that are coming back to haunt you now, but another simple check would be the trans oil level, if it is low it can hang up as well. My 86 ford has problems coming out of low to 1st when cold too, but it was due to the clutch not disengaging enough, making the gears grind when trying to shift. I guess I should ask, is it just hard to get from one gear to the next, or grind the gears? If grinding, it is the clutch still engaging, if just hard to shift, the trans may need service or replaced. Start first with the oil level.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Jacksonville IL
I am getting the truck from him today. But according my step son, the problem comes the very first time the truck is started. It will simply not engage until it is warm enough. Once it is warm, the gears engage fine.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Sounds a lot like my Ford, and I suspect synchros to be my problem. That is teardown on the trans there. Gear jamming and grinding the gears will cause that. Sad thing is that it may not be your step son's doing, but he now has to deal with it.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Jacksonville IL
OK ! Got the truck Sunday night and here is the diagnosis !!
Both master and slave cylinders seem to be seeping a little fluid, but not bad. The metal line connecting them is rusted, but is still holding on.
The problem: master cylinder was EMPTY !! LOL !! Put fluid on it, pumped up the clutch, truck running fine ! GOSH!! Here I was worried about spending a fortune.
Both master and slave cylinders seem to be seeping a little fluid, but not bad. The metal line connecting them is rusted, but is still holding on.
The problem: master cylinder was EMPTY !! LOL !! Put fluid on it, pumped up the clutch, truck running fine ! GOSH!! Here I was worried about spending a fortune.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Jacksonville IL
"It definitely needs to be taken care of, or the trans synchros will be damaged."
fellro86, are you talking about the taking care of the seepage in the master and slave cylinders?
fellro86, are you talking about the taking care of the seepage in the master and slave cylinders?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
yes, need to fix that, because as the fluid levels gets low, then the clutch won't disengage enough, and the gears will grind, damaging the synchros. You may be able to get the master and slave as a set, not sure. Sure is cheaper than a complete trans rebuild.
