Hi all

I have 1991 Mk2 3sge with the S54 transmission. The other day pulling away in 1st it make a slight "clunk" not loud and lost all drive.
I can now put it in any gear without the clutch or with it and i've checked in the engine bay that the linkages are working so I know its something from there back but if it was clutch I'd expect it to seize in gear, am I wrong? Plus there was no smell i've had a clutch go before so won't forget that stench

Also any ideas on what could be the problem? I know I'm gonna have to get the tranny off eventually but if someone has had the same issue it'd save time knowing the problem.

Have you checked both ends of the linkages?

Clutch release bearing surely?

Hi and thanks for response

@leesw20

Yep checked both ends and all seems good right through to the box. I was hoping it WAS this would have been so easy and cheap which is why I knew it wouldnt be lol

@cs1980

Thats what I was thinking reading some other posts but i've not found someone that has the exact issue, some can't select gears others who have similar found it was the linkages so was hoping someone out there might have had the same

Theres a gearbox & clutch centre in Cork but its a last option as they will hit me over the head and run away with my wallet

have you any resistance on the gear stick at all or is it just flapping about ??

If you put the car in 1st gear and turn over the car will it pull forward ... Obviously make sure there is nothing in front of you ...

I am thinking its a release bearing but only one way to find out ..

I have a good Rev1 NA gearbox here if you need it ( the rev1 has a cable driven speedo so you would need to replace it with a rev 1 box ) Also have a rev1 Turbo Gearbox here

Rare enough item to find now .. Dont be stuck for one anyway ..

@ Japohara

Thanks I appreciate that buddy. It does seem the release bearing is most likely from what i'm hearing. There is no resistance when I put it in gear and no I can drop the clutch and the engine note doesn't even change let alone start to pull. I've also tested 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th even reverse but nothing its like the clutch is to the floor the whole time yet the pedal is opperating normally.

I've just ordered a decent jack as use ramps normally once it arrives gonna get it up and start the lovely job of stripping it down so i'll report back with any updates and if it turns out to need a new box i'll PM you Japohara

Is the clutch slave cylinder moving back and forth when you press the clutch, is the fork that goes into the gearbox moving back to its original position when the clutch is released?

@ weeJohn

Good thought no I hadn't checked the slave cylinder i'll do that tommorrow, hopefully the jack I need should be here by then or tues and i'll be able to check all the connections to the box. Hopefully should have something more tmw evening

Sorry lads been a mad week only just got round to updating. The slave cylinder and hydraulics are all working and I spoke to an MR2 specialist and he reckons the drive plate may have torn the centre out so got the car up on stands now and goona strip the gearbox off and install a new Exeedy clutch kit.

I'll update when I have more and thanks for your help lads

Not sure if anyone was still watching this thread but it turned out the guy was right the center part of the clutch had snapped clean from the friction plate! While doing the clutch change have decide to replace all bushes, ball joints and refurbed the clutch slave & master cylinder.

Also decided to replace flywheel with a Fidanza lightweight one and an exedy clutch full kit. Almost done now as taken time to refurb all bits along the way and replacing any rusty bolts but should be running in next week.

I'm watching.

Good to hear you are making progress.
I'm getting my Exedy kit fitted over the Christmas.
Can't wait to have the car back to original driving conditions!

Cool yeah i'm hoping to have it all sorted by the new year, still gotta do all the front end ball joints, bushes etc but when its all done should be like new with the ammount of new bits ive thrown at it

Glad you went Exedy too they seem to get the best reviews buddy so good choice hopefully