Dave’s Free Car Repair Advice

Jay says: 1999 Saab 95 I had to hit brakes suddenly and did not take it out of gear right away. I pressed the clutch and no pressure. I found fluid around the driver wheel but found no line leak. The car sat for 2 yrs before this happened

Jay, to find fresh fluid and no leak, check again.

For a vehicle to sit for a couple years and then be driven can be exciting. The clutch master cylinder could have built up a residue in the actual cylinder where the plunger would have normally kept it clean from normal use. When the plunger hits the area with residue, the plunger seal is affected to the point of not sealing anymore. The seals are delicate and do not take much to damage.

Subject:  home clutch replacement

Trish states:  I’m a very confident woman who has worked on my own VW’s and current 1976 (1980 3.0 engine) myself. I have financial constraints that have me unable to pay a mechanic to replace my clutch. My question: How hard would it be for me to do this myself?

Well Trish, it all depends if you have the tools and the mechanical knowledge to do this. To replace a clutch is not too difficult mechanically. The problem is accessing the bolts underneath the vehicle, having the room to move about while laying on your back underneath the car, and then aligning the clutch and pressure plate when assembling the clutch.

Subject:  1998 Isuzu Amigo

Mike writes:  When accelerating the engine revs very high (4,000 rpm) and the vehicle barely moves

Mike, it sounds to me like you need a new clutch for the standard transmission. You can check your linkage to your clutch and adjust if necessary and that may help, but most likely it won’t.

Good luck with the clutch job. Don’t forget to disconnect the battery…

Dave