Is it my clutch or tranny?

[mrtommytcd]

I own a 96 Eclipse RS... recently the clutch pedal has been a lot softer
(less resistance while I press it). In the last few days, my gears have
been nearly impossible to get into when I first get into my car. Reverse
takes me 2 or 3 minutes before I can get into gear, then another minute or
so to get into 1st. As I drive though it seems fine after a few miles.
Problem is that all my car trips are under a few miles. Anyway, I want to
know if this is a clutch problem or a transmission problem. I have not
smelled anything odd, and have been getting excellent gas mileage still.
Please let me know ASAP because I have a few days off and want to get this
taken care of before rush hour traffic this week!
Thanks in advance!
Tom

[shekky]

I'd say look at your master and slave, then maybe your pressure plate.

[septic_g]

I started to have similar problems before my slave cylinder went.. could be a leaky line too.

[JessGST]

Is your clutch pedal adjusted correctly?

[mrtommytcd]

A little more info...

It has gotten progressively worse since a long road trip. The first semblence of a problem came a few weeks ago after not driving for a couple days. My pedal seems soft and getting into gear was by no means difficult. Over the next couple days I just figured I was readjusting after having driven a different car for a few days. Then, I took the car on a road trip to So Cal from Sacramento (about 500 miles to San Diego). When getting off the freeway after 200+ miles, I couldn't get into any other gear after getting out of fifth. After a few seconds of struggling at a light, I got it into 1st. From then on, its gotten progressively worse, up to today where the pedal seems to have NO give whatsoever, and I can't get into any gears without considerable effort. Also, with the clutch pedal completely pressed and sitting in ANY gear, the car will move (either forward or backward), even on a flat surface. I am not handy under the hood, especially in such a sensitive area as the drive train, so I plan to take it into a mechanic. What should I tell him I know so that he doesn't screw with me? I thank you all again for your advice.
What am I looking at on the financial side of things?
Thanks again in advance!

Tom

[0lmytsi]

Sounds like something i had, just adjust the clutch and it should be good.

[Stormbird]

Jack it up an look at it before you take it anywhere to see if the slave is leaking.

Did you check the clutch fluid level?

J

[diambo4life]

Loss of pedal effort is most likely due to hydraulic pressure loss from your clutch line. :) Park the car overnight and check whether you can see any leaks from the slave cylinder as described above. If none, get under your dash and check whether the master cylinder is leaking. It should be pretty obvious if it's bad. If both look fine (ie. not leaking,) check your clutch fluid level, replenish if neccessary and take it to a mechanic to bleed the system for you. Not expensive at all. It should get better. Of course, make finer adjustments by adjusting the engagement/loading point with the master cylinder pushrod by loosening the lock-nut. Don't keep driving the car in that condition. You are destroying your synchros every time you struggle/force it into gear. Sooner or later, you will need a tranny replacement/rebuild. Good Luck. :)

[mrtommytcd]

Ok, so this morning I got a ride to Pep Boys and picked up some clutch fluid since mine was totally empty. I filled it to the full line and it started getting better immediately. However, still not 100%. Nowhere near, actually. I checked under the dash and all around and saw no evidence of a leak... what do you say?

I'll take it to have a mechanic bleed it, but what should I say? I am by no means a moron, but I'm a very trusting person and I'm not about to get screwed into a new clutch or something.

Thanks for all your guys' help thus far.

[greenstreak]

I bet you either have a bad slave or master or a small hole in a hydrolic line somewhere. The cylinders aren't that expensive and the bleeding process is easy. That is where I would start.

[richard90'TSi]

I just replaced my master and slave cyliner for my talon for 200$. Did you pull the carpet back to see if paint was missing from around the master?

[Stormbird]

Grab a buddy and bleed it yourself. It'll take 10 minutes and then you'll feel better about it.

[jivemastert]

bleed the slave and master cylinder, check your clutch fluid, and you should be all set. thats exactly what it sounds like to me, and you should definately try that first as it is the cheapest of all things you can test.