Clutch problem?

Toyotafanboi

So another day another problem with my Celica (2002, 1.8 190bhp, 160k miles). Well not really a problem, yet anyway, but I want to nip this one in the bud hopefully. Getting a few funny symptoms from the clutch pedal and gearstick.

Sometimes, usually when the engine is cold when I go to shift from first to second it's as if the car is stuck in first and I cant get it out no matter how hard I pull. However if I slow down a bit it will come out of first no bother.

Sometimes when I clutch to go up a gear between any gears, it will come out of gear perfect but will take maybe two or three attemps to select the next gear. It always shifts down perfect.

And finally sometimes when the car is in gear and you are clutching (in or out) you can feel a fair bit of vibration in the pedal, more than you would be expecting. No vibrations if you use the clutch pedal in neutral.

all these only happen on occasion and 95% of the time it drives perfect, very crisp precise gear changes and no funny noises etc. In June (around 15k miles ago) it got a full new clutch kit, gearbox oil change and some adjustment/ fettling to the linkage to make getting reverse easier.

I'd like to DIY investigate this myself as I hope it's something minor.

shietpilot

The adjustment of linkages could be the cause of that or not enough brake/clutch fluid (which seems unlikely as you'd have other obvious problems).

I think every Toyota out there struggles to get into reverse

shietpilot

Can't edit my previous post so:

Clutch vibration could be caused by the clutch being engaged a little bit which could also affect ability to get into the next gear (the same happens if you try to shift without pushing the clutch pedal in at all)

9935452

it does sound likt the clutch isnt disengaging fully .
From what you are describing to me is you are essentially crashing the gearbox, ie finding the correct rev which will allow you to slot her in and out of gears

i assume its a hydraulic clutch ie master cylinder/slave cylinder.
If you pump the clutch pedal a few times does it make a difference.
The seal could be going in the master cylinder.
It might need to be bled as there might be air in the system causing the clutch not to release fully.
Are you pushing the pedal to the ground fully?

Toyotafanboi

I was thinking that not coming out of first felt to be a hydraulic problem alright because slowing down and pressing the clutch again always gets it out of gear, but when it wont go into gear changing up, if I just keep the clutch pressed and let the gearstick go back to the rest position and try again, that pretty much always works.

Overall, I was thinking could I have a weak or broken engine or gearbox mount meaning the linkages were ineffective due to the contortion of the engine when suddenly coming on/ off load? This might also explain the vibration too, or is that a bit far fetched?

biko

Worn mounts could make car feel a bit jerky as engine moves about a bit.
Not sure about this case but worth a look. You need to get it up on a lift though.

Does anything here fit?
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/5-problems-a-bad-engine-mount-will-cause#b

Toyotafanboi

NCT is Thursday but I wouldn't trust them to catch a cold, never mind diagnose one.

This is a fairly random and infrequent problem at the moment so I doubt they will notice anything related to it. I'm sure they'll pull me on some surface rust and a number plate light bulb and maybe the seat bolster if it's quiet that day though :rolleyes:

If this 40 days and 40 nights of rain would ever **** off I would be able to get out and have a look around it, I was just wondering did all the signs point to anywhere obvious :P

Waterson

Maybe try a clutch hydraulic fluid change, handy enough and less than a fiver inexpense. If the fluid is 5 yes old or limits die to be changed anyway

blackbox

Does it improve when the gearbox warms up? Could the wrong grade of gear oil have been used, only noticeable now that the weather has got colder?

Psychosis

I have an 02 Corolla 1.4 hatchback with the exact same issue, I presume its the same type of clutch.

It does not happen all time but 1/20 times when going from 1->2 it feels like its stuck. I can usually get it to budge with a bit of maneuvering but its definitely abnormal.

Still haven't figured out whats causing it though, its totally random for me and can happen if just starting off or if I've been driving for 30 mins. It happened in the summer, and its happened in the winter.

Its more annoying than troublesome and I generally shift to second very early to try and avoid it.

Car passed NCT a few months ago with no issues, so I don't know. . . .