Clutch or gearbox issue

[MkGriff]

Hi All,
Had a strange one this morning. Backed the car out of the garage onto the road, but then could not select 1st gear (or any gear for that matter).
Tried letting clutch up/out several times, but no joy.
I then turned off the engine, selected 1st, started up and was able to drive back into the garage, with normal clutch feel.
It's the original clutch (~35k miles), so I rather suspect that might be the problem, but I'd like to hear your opinions, as you're a clever bunch!
Thanks in advance.
Deano

[lancepar]

I would check the master cylinder for fluid first, it tends to get ignored.under the cover.

[MkGriff]

lancepar said:

I would check the master cylinder for fluid first, it tends to get ignored.under the cover.

Many thanks Lance. I never knew what was under that cover!

I cannot see any fluid in that reservoir, so do I fill it pretty much to the brim with Dot 4?

[Adrian@]

You do need to address the issue of the M/C leaking (fluid will be coming in to the car and fluid will damage both the carpet and nice shoes). Topping it up will address the immediate issue, replacing the M/C and bleeding the system of air will do the job correctly. A@

[MkGriff]

Adrian@ said:

You do need to address the issue of the M/C leaking (fluid will be coming in to the car and fluid will damage both the carpet and nice shoes). Topping it up will address the immediate issue, replacing the M/C and bleeding the system of air will do the job correctly. A@

Thanks - there is no fluid in the footwell. The carpet and pedals are dry. Looks like I need to take a look under the car, to see if I can see any tell-tale signs.

[MkGriff]

For topping up - is it important not to mix fluids - as I'd have no idea what was used originally (presume that it is factory fluid)?

Thinking of popping to Halfrauds this afternoon!

[Adrian@]

THEN,....if you have no fluid in the footwell, a different issue that there is fluid leaking from the slave cylinder/bulkhead fitting /fractured pipe between the two...IMHO you need to find the leak. Halfords would be fine (everyone seems to deride the place, any good motor factors will take your money) will stock Dot4 fluid..it really does not matter what you use to get you running, as it will be wasted (you have a leak! and you will need to bleed the system through) IF it turns out to be purple fluid then a previous change may of added Dot5. A@

[Classic Chim]

Yes start with the slave cylinder and look for leaks and feel the feed pipe for any liquid tracking down it.
You can view the top section of this pipe from above by looking at the inner wing area, drivers side directly behind the back of the engine by your rocker cover and again look for weeping or signs of fluid and the junction box.
As Adrian says, if your master cylinder is empty you must have a leak somewhere so fill it up, open the bleed valve at the slave end and run at least 1/2 litre through or bleed it the normal way and pressurise the system, you might just have a little air getting drawn in via a slightly loose bleed valve so fill it, bleed it then check for leaks.

[MkGriff]

Thanks again chaps.