911 Unable to select gears after standing for 5 years?

mivvi · 05-08-2006, 05:38 AM

Hi All, right I have at last got the cover off my 911 (1971). As it has been sitting in my garage for nearly 5 years. After cleaning the dust off and changing battery, fuel etc, the beast roared into life again.

I was well please until I tried to select a gear and it just made grinding noises. After a bit of research, I have found that the shaft or something that the clutch slides on can rust up if the car has been left standing. I think this is what has happened but not really knowing much about mechanics, im just guessing. Anyone know what route to take now, is it gearbox out etc?

Im only getting it sorted to sell as I no longer have the time to appreciate it. If its going to be an expensive job, its being sold as it is.

javadog · 05-08-2006, 06:05 AM

Your clutch plate may be stuck to the flywheel, or stuck to the shaft it slides on, and not releasing. If you have checked that the clutch is properly adjusted, try this... Push the car into an open area with NOTHING in front of you. A large, deserted parking lot is ideal. Put the car in first gear, puch in the clutch and try to start it. If the car begins to move while the engine is cranking, you know the clutch is stuck to the flywheel, or shaft. Once the engine is running, keep the clutch pedal pushed in and run the car at 3000 rpm or so, getting on and off the throttle. Usually it will break free. Be ready to release the throttle once it does break free, so you don't over-rev the engine. If it doesn't release, turn the engine off, place the car in neutral once stopped, and push it back into storage.

Do not try this anywhere near other cars, people, etc. Or take it to a mechanic and let him fix it for you.

Good luck,
JR

mivvi · 05-08-2006, 06:23 AM

Thanks JR! I have checked the clutch adjusment and that seems fine, so was wondering what to do next. That at least gives me something to try now. I will get it to an empty area as you say, my drive ain't quite long enough for this. Thanks for the advice and I will let you know how I get on. Thanks again, Marcus.

69911e · 05-08-2006, 06:40 AM

I would try breaking it free with the starter. Put it in 5th gear, clutch in, brake pedal pressed, emergency brake engaged; hit the starter. This has worked 5 of 6 times I tried on mine or my friends cars.
ED

dweymer · dweymer's Garage

He stated the car "roared to life", which I assume means it started. Can you confirm the car was started, and in neutral at the time.

With the engine off can you select all gears?
Does it grind trying to go into all gears while engine is on?

There are a lot of areas inside the trans that could have rusted together if not properly stored.

D

RV Flyer · 05-08-2006, 07:01 AM

My SC has exhibited the "stuck clutch disc" syndrome sometimes after sitting for months on end. I'd vote with javadog that this is the most likely answer to the problem. The clutch will feel and act normal when you push the pedal in, but the pressure plate is frozen to the clutch disc, and so the clutch does not disengage as ait should.

As suggested by 69911E, try starting the car in gear, with the clutch pedal in, and (in my experience) that will definitely break it free. Make sure you've got some room ahead of you when you try this technique, of course. . .

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

Sounds like the car was not properly stored and someone will have to deal with the associated problems.
Some of the worst is when the tank is not full during storage and will rust out and the grime/dirt ends up in the fuel system.
If the engine didn't get turned over, expect rust inside.
The clutch mechanism is rusted up; Pressure plate is stuck to the disc.
The pistons in the calipers are frozen/rusted after five years.
And on and on; Improper storage is bad for any car.
"Roaring to life" without proper preparation after 5 years doesn't mean that it'll live.
An assessment by a qualified mechanic is in order here.

mivvi · 05-08-2006, 07:18 AM

Ok, thanks everyone for your posts. Answer to some of your questions:

Yes, car started in neutral after some time. So I asume the engine is ok.

To be honest with you, I didn't try to select any gears with the engine turned off. This I will try tonight.

It did seem to grind when trying to go into all gears.

Does that help at all?

RV Flyer · 05-08-2006, 07:22 AM

Definitely sounds like the classic symptoms of frozen/stuck clutch disc!

And Gunter is right - as I have been finding with my SC coming out of storage (and not the correct kind of storage, unfortunately) after 5+ years - get ready for frozen brake caliper pistons, etc etc.......

John

mivvi · 05-08-2006, 07:42 AM

Yes, sadly it was just parked in the garage and left with its cover on. It seems to have survived quite well though as most of the car had been restored before it got parked up. I will be explaining all this when I advertise it. Its still a great car for someone who has the time to look after it.....