shifting quirk... need guidance...

[m3j0n]

when the car is off, the car is very easily put into gear and shifted through all the gears. Once the engine is running, however, it becomes super difficult to put it in gear and almost needs to be forced into gear. Any ideas where I should start my search for the culprit? thanks.

-Jon

[e30davie]

Your clutch. If its not disengaging fully it will probably give symptoms as you describe.

Did this start happening after you changed something? has it gotten worse over time?

[m3j0n]

bought the car like that

[Panici]

Your clutch. If its not disengaging fully it will probably give symptoms as you describe.

+1.
You can double check this by putting the rear of the car on jackstands. Start the car in gear with the clutch pushed in. If the back wheels are moving at all, then clutch is not fully disengaging.

Start by bleeding the master/slave system for the clutch.

If you bleed the system and and the symptoms come back after some time, chances are that there is a leak or torn boot somewhere.

[nrubenstein]

Yes. This sounds like a clutch disengagement issue. Bleed your clutch properly (with the slave disconnected, compressed, and the bleed screw vertical). Also check the pedal box for cracking. If the pedal box is failing, it'll eventually bend enough that you can't fully disengage the clutch.

[m3j0n]

thanks! will check it.. the car had been sitting for quite some time, so its possible that the hoses have allowed some air in the system. fingers crossed that its a simple bleeding issue and not a full clutch job...

[nrubenstein]

thanks! will check it.. the car had been sitting for quite some time, so its possible that the hoses have allowed some air in the system. fingers crossed that its a simple bleeding issue and not a full clutch job...

Get your head under the dash and inspect the pedal box. Push the pedal down and watch for any movement.

[m3j0n]

Get your head under the dash and inspect the pedal box. Push the pedal down and watch for any movement.

what am I looking for exactly? can this inspection be done without removing the lower part of the dash?

[nrubenstein]

You have to pull the dash panel off. You are looking for any pedal pivoting, or movement of the bracket.

[m3j0n]

thanks nick!