Standing and now Won't go into gear

[MattW]

Hi all

Our S3 has been standing for the past 3 months. It starts first time :) but I can't get it into gear when the engine is running. It will go into gear when the engine is not running but the clutch doesn't seem to take it out of gear so when I then try to start it the gear is still engaged? Is this a ceased clutch? Does it look like I need to buy any parts?

thanks for any help I'm absolutely clueless on this one
Matt

[22900013A]

You need to free off the clutch - I am not sure how you do it (lol) but it definately sounds like its stuck.

[ian_s]

yeah, sounds like a stuck clutch

try this: low ratio, first gear, start the engine (make sure you have plenty of room)
put the clutch down and floor it, then let off, then floor it again. keep doing that, with the clutch held down, til it frees off.

[James.Harwood]

You have checked there is fluid in the clutch resovour.

As Ian said start in gear, last time i used High 1st, get it moving then hit all 3 pedals at the same time, be ready to come off the throttle quick.

Afther 3 months it shouldn't be to badly stuck though.

If this doesnt work, plan b is to start up, press clutch and try to 'bounce' it into gear, i take no resposability for any loose teath if you need to resort to plan B

Good luck

[ian_s]

yeah, plan B cost my dad a gearbox once. that was on a rangerover tho

[Miniman]

I dont think your clutch is stuck. It sounds to me like your fluid has gone or its got air in some how.... Check it out first. is there fluid in the res. If so try and bleed it first..... Use two ppl its alot more affective...

[MattW]

Thanks guys - I checked the reservoir and it was indeed low. I'll set about finding the slave cylinder and have a go at bleeding it. Very strange.

[Miniman]

You will find the slave cylinder under the front of the passanger floor. The bleed screw is in a silly spot on the top and its a pain in the butt to do as the metal hydrolic pipe makes it hard for you to get a spanner in there and losen it....you will do it but I am sure you will return to tell us how much of a pig or a place it is.....good luck.... Next you want to find out where the fluid has gone to.....may be the slave is leaking, very common... Sorry about the spellings........lol

[MattW]

Thanks miniman I has a look yesterday but couldn't locate it - will get on it tomorrow. I was only joking about the spelling :) I'm terrible at it.

[Miniman]

yeh not a prob mate....I was laughing....  I got me head gasket to do this week.... Its been gone for 2 weeks now....