Stuggling to change gear

stevecsy · 8th December 2013, 08:56

HI

over the last couple days i have found it increasingly difficult to change gear. I am running a ZTT Diesel. I am having to force the gear stick into position. The clutch pedal feels different from before, it is almost like there is nothing there for the first half of its travel but the bite point feels like it is in the same position.

I have looked through previous posts and i think that i may need to look at topping up the fluid in the master cylinder which i believe is located somewhere above the clutch pedal. I am really unsure though of how to do this and as my knowledge of cars is next to nothing i don' want to make the matter worse.

Is it an easy job to do this and really should i be looking to get someone i.e. a garage to look at this?. The Clutch and slave was changed about 6 months ago so hopefully it won't be anything related to that.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and if any one has a good guide for topping up the fluid could you point me in the right direction.

thanks
Steve

stevestrat · 8th December 2013, 09:10

The master cylinder is a masterpiece of design, a pig to get at! Under the dash at the drivers side there are two screws, one either side, remove them. Pull the lower dash away, it's held in with spring clips and let the pedal box cover drop down. Get a torch, stick your head under the dash and you should be able to see the master cylinder and reservoir at the top of the clutch pedal. This next bit can be painful! Get your hand up between the clutch pedal and the centre consul, unscrew the cap on the reservoir. Remove the cap and seal (like a rubber diaphragm), best way to check the level is stick your finger in. If you need to add fluid the best way is a syringe and rubber tubing.

After adding fluid you may get away with pumping the clutch pedal to restore the clutch operation. If not you'll need to bleed it but I won't cover that unless it's needed, just complicate matters!

stevecsy · 8th December 2013, 09:13

hi

thanks for the quick response, how would i know if its low and how much do i put in, is there a full mark or something like that?

thanks
Steve

3pinplug · 8th December 2013, 09:21

Hi

You will need a small mirror (used wifes compact mirror on mine)and a torch so you can angle mirror and firstly see how much fluid is in the reservoir. On the inside of the reservoir is a lump that sticks out, believe that should be just covered, you cant fill it to the top otherwise when you put the rubber boot in it will all spill out, also the cap of the reservoir can be on there tight a "gentle tap with a flatbladed screwdriver whilst holding the reservoir managed to release mine but be careful when doing this as if you don't support it you could damage the housing etc. If it needs some fluid you will need a syringe and length of silicone hose, got mine a the local pet shop ?(syringe for giving animal medicine then took that to the aquatic section and got meter of tubing to fit syringe). Good luck hope its something simple.

Mark

bubs · 9th December 2013, 12:31

First check for signs of leakage around the master cylinder and from the bottom of the bell housing (there are small holes where the gearbox meets the engine block).
Hopefully as you said the slave was changed it will mean just the master needs doing.

stevecsy · 9th December 2013, 12:40

hi

haven't had chance to check yet as was working yesterday and today but all being well i will check in the morning. I'm prepared to lose some skin on fingers and to swear alot

stevestrat · 9th December 2013, 13:14

You shouldn't lose any skin but the back of my left hand was tender for days after forcing it up between the clutch pedal and the tunnel!

bubs · 9th December 2013, 14:15

mine was the first time i did it, then i bent the end of the heater control arm up out of the way, stops the back of your hand scrapping against it.

stevecsy · 13th December 2013, 11:16

Just to let anyone interested know, i managed to top up the fluid this morning and now it changes gear lovely. The worst part was getting the cap back on.

Anyhow i can't be going through that ordeal every couple of weeks so i'm off up to Doncaster to see Andy who is going to put me a new master cylinder in

thanks for all the help

Steve

doopydug · 13th December 2013, 17:52

My master cylinder looks like it has gone too - not even had the car a month :-(

Can see fluid leaking into the driver footwell where it comes through the bulkhead

How much does it cost to replace a cylinder and is it a difficult job?

8th December 2013, 08:56	#1
stevecsy Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Nottingham Posts: 68 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Stuggling to change gear HI over the last couple days i have found it increasingly difficult to change gear. I am running a ZTT Diesel. I am having to force the gear stick into position. The clutch pedal feels different from before, it is almost like there is nothing there for the first half of its travel but the bite point feels like it is in the same position. I have looked through previous posts and i think that i may need to look at topping up the fluid in the master cylinder which i believe is located somewhere above the clutch pedal. I am really unsure though of how to do this and as my knowledge of cars is next to nothing i don' want to make the matter worse. Is it an easy job to do this and really should i be looking to get someone i.e. a garage to look at this?. The Clutch and slave was changed about 6 months ago so hopefully it won't be anything related to that. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and if any one has a good guide for topping up the fluid could you point me in the right direction. thanks Steve

8th December 2013, 09:10	#2
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,572 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	The master cylinder is a masterpiece of design, a pig to get at! Under the dash at the drivers side there are two screws, one either side, remove them. Pull the lower dash away, it's held in with spring clips and let the pedal box cover drop down. Get a torch, stick your head under the dash and you should be able to see the master cylinder and reservoir at the top of the clutch pedal. This next bit can be painful! Get your hand up between the clutch pedal and the centre consul, unscrew the cap on the reservoir. Remove the cap and seal (like a rubber diaphragm), best way to check the level is stick your finger in. If you need to add fluid the best way is a syringe and rubber tubing. After adding fluid you may get away with pumping the clutch pedal to restore the clutch operation. If not you'll need to bleed it but I won't cover that unless it's needed, just complicate matters! __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

9th December 2013, 13:14	#7
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,572 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	You shouldn't lose any skin but the back of my left hand was tender for days after forcing it up between the clutch pedal and the tunnel! __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

8th December 2013, 09:13	#3
stevecsy Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Nottingham Posts: 68 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	hi thanks for the quick response, how would i know if its low and how much do i put in, is there a full mark or something like that? thanks Steve

8th December 2013, 09:21	#4
3pinplug Loves to post Rover 75 SE Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Medway Towns Posts: 311 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Hi You will need a small mirror (used wifes compact mirror on mine)and a torch so you can angle mirror and firstly see how much fluid is in the reservoir. On the inside of the reservoir is a lump that sticks out, believe that should be just covered, you cant fill it to the top otherwise when you put the rubber boot in it will all spill out, also the cap of the reservoir can be on there tight a "gentle tap with a flatbladed screwdriver whilst holding the reservoir managed to release mine but be careful when doing this as if you don't support it you could damage the housing etc. If it needs some fluid you will need a syringe and length of silicone hose, got mine a the local pet shop ?(syringe for giving animal medicine then took that to the aquatic section and got meter of tubing to fit syringe). Good luck hope its something simple. Mark

9th December 2013, 12:31	#5
bubs Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canvey Island, Essex Posts: 1,651 Thanks: 43 Thanked 163 Times in 134 Posts	First check for signs of leakage around the master cylinder and from the bottom of the bell housing (there are small holes where the gearbox meets the engine block). Hopefully as you said the slave was changed it will mean just the master needs doing.

9th December 2013, 12:40	#6
stevecsy Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Nottingham Posts: 68 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	hi haven't had chance to check yet as was working yesterday and today but all being well i will check in the morning. I'm prepared to lose some skin on fingers and to swear alot

9th December 2013, 14:15	#8
bubs Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canvey Island, Essex Posts: 1,651 Thanks: 43 Thanked 163 Times in 134 Posts	mine was the first time i did it, then i bent the end of the heater control arm up out of the way, stops the back of your hand scrapping against it.

13th December 2013, 11:16	#9
stevecsy Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Nottingham Posts: 68 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Just to let anyone interested know, i managed to top up the fluid this morning and now it changes gear lovely. The worst part was getting the cap back on. Anyhow i can't be going through that ordeal every couple of weeks so i'm off up to Doncaster to see Andy who is going to put me a new master cylinder in thanks for all the help Steve

13th December 2013, 17:52	#10
doopydug Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Fife Posts: 1,595 Thanks: 88 Thanked 269 Times in 235 Posts	My master cylinder looks like it has gone too - not even had the car a month :-( Can see fluid leaking into the driver footwell where it comes through the bulkhead How much does it cost to replace a cylinder and is it a difficult job?