My clutch wont disengage

[jsoderbe]

Hi,

I have problem with my 1973 Porsche 911 T Targa that I am restoring. My clutch wont disengage, so I cant change gear when the engine is running. The clutch feels ok, so I guess the pressure plate moves when I press the clutch pedal.

I checked the obvious problems, and tonight I did what I didnt want to do; I pulled the engine and trans. I separated the engine and trans, but unfortunately I couldnt see any obvious problems at this stage.

So my question is what I should look for? Could the clutch disc stick to the flywheel? Rusted together? Wrong disc?

This is something that I normally dont have any issues with, so I am lost here....

Any ideas would be very appreciated!!


Regards,

Johan

[rusnak]

Your clutch disc and pressure plate could be rusted together. You can try removing the PP at this stage. This happened to my big old Ford tractor. I started it up, depressed the clutch pedal, and then slammed on the brakes. It worked in the tractor. No guarantees for the Porsche.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by jsoderbe

So my question is what I should look for? Could the clutch disc stick to the flywheel? Rusted together? Wrong disc?

Pull the PP - disc is stuck/frozen on flywheel.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I started it up, depressed the clutch pedal, and then slammed on the brakes. It worked in the tractor. No guarantees for the Porsche.

I think you did not mention that you started it in gear and got the tractor moving first.

[ischmitz]

see here http://forums.pelicanparts.com/5439700-post5.html

this happened after washing the engine/tranny. Once it was back in the car the clutch won't disengage.....

[pors1968]

Did you check the tube that holding your clucth cable the weld might broken.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

I think you did not mention that you started it in gear and got the tractor moving first.

Yes, good point. Thank you! I also did this on the 356.

[jsoderbe]

HI guys,

thanks so much for your help!!! I will go out and remove the pressure plate, since the last thing I did before installing the engine 1,5 years ago was to power wash it thouroghly.... :-(

Only thing is that the pedal feels completely normal, and the clutch fork moves. The total play is somehat more than 1/2", which feel pretty normal to me. It is just that the clutch won't disengage.

I thought I would have the fork behind the throw out bearing but there was no visible signs of that. There should have been a groove in the pressure plate then, I would imagine?


Regards,

Johan

[bfunke]

You might try starting it in gear and depressing all three pedals. Another trick is to drive it up a steep hill with the clutch depressed. These may break the rust free.

[jsoderbe]

It's already on the ground, in pieces. Kind of regret that now, since I didn't realize I could break it loose.

Anyway, now it's separated. The disc wasn't rusted so it stuck on the flywheel, it fell off when I removed the pressure plate. But it was severely rusted and the fw looked really worn. I bought this engine as a running one, which meant I just washed and mounted it without checking stuff. Not good, in hindsight.

So, here are a few pics of what I found.







Anything that looks good or not good? One thing I remembered now is that I have a 1974 915 gearbox (#734XXXX). Does the clutch fork look ok? Might there be any problems there?

Please let me know your thoughts. I really don't want to do this one more time....


Regards,

Johan

[jsoderbe]

So I am removed the flywheel and found a broken rear main seal underneath.... :-(

It was installed wrong and had leaked for a long time. Luckily I had a new one in the parts bin, so that was a quick fix! Went to the warehouse and picked up a really nice flywheel and a good used clutch disc. The old parts was ready for the trash bin! Just to make sure I also brought back a pressure plate I knew was working in that car.

All came together great, mated engine and tranny, and verified visually that the clutch fork was in the throw out bearing groove. So now it is on the jack ready to go in, but I wanted to sleep on it for a night to make sure I didnt forget anything. All in all a very productive 2 hours!

But, I wouöd feel better if anyone could verify the clutch fork and other stuff looks normal. I really dont want to do this again! :-)


Regards,

Johan

[jsoderbe]

Thanks guys for your help! It was the clutch disc that had rusted solid. I figure the force in the pressure plate broke it loose when I unbolted it. Most likely I would have been able to free it up by driving it, but then I would have had huge problems with a worn clutch and flywheel worn beyond repair and a massive oil leak from the RMS.

The extra work wasnt that much, maybe 7-8 hours spread over 4 evenings. What pisses me of somewhat is that because of this problem I havent worked on the car for more than 5 months. I was just so disappointed when it didnt work that I parked it in the garage and didnt look at it until Christmas. That was 5 months NOT well spent.

Now I just have to wait for the snow to melt away! I wont even get it out of the garage.... :-(


Regards,

Johan

[Bob Kontak]

At least you know the work had to be done because of the RMS being installed incorrectly.

Regarding the fork, it looks fine from what I can see but when they fail they fail.

Assuming you did look it over.

[jsoderbe]

Thanks Bob, very appreciated! The clutch fork looked good, I was just afraid the fork from a '74 box was different, or that the teeth was worn. But I measured carefully and took a gamble. I am a happ man today!


Regards,

Johan