Sticking clutch - Golf Mk2

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Tue 8 Jun 2004 22:26
Sticking clutch - Golf Mk2 - Robert Fleming
Here's the symptoms:

Sometimes (usually after being parked in reverse, but not always) the clutch won't disengage. I know this because, in gear with the pedal to the floor, the car pulls forward.

When like this, selecting gears is nigh on impossible without switching off the engine (and even then...)

Yet, after a while, it will work fine again. For days. Then I'll park up, start up a while later, and it's red-face-no-gears in the middle of the street again.

Clutch changed about 30k ago. Did it myself, used the little packet of grease on the splines. Box oil level ok. Slight oil leak from diff flanges. Car used almost every day.

Is taking the gearbox off with a new clutch kit to hand being a little rash?

TIA, Rob

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Wed 9 Jun 2004 12:32
Sticking clutch - Golf Mk2 - escort man
Not sure if this will help, but...

The clutch on my off road bike (2 stroke/wet clutch) does the same thing, which is quite normal after it has not been used for a while.
As its a wet clutch it sits in and is lubricated by the engine oil in the sump. After a long stand the oil is cold and thick and the clutch plates are literally stuck togther, gentle rocking backward and forward in gear b4 starting releases the plates and all is well again.

Like i said, not sure if this bears ny relation to your problem but the symptoms sound the same.

As you mention the seals were leaking, did any oil get on the new plates to cause the above effect?

On a simpler note - did you set the clutch cable tension correctly, ie is the clutch fully released when the pedal is on the floor. Where is the biting point when your finally get the thing in gear?
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Wed 9 Jun 2004 14:15
Sticking clutch - Golf Mk2 - Peter D
Have you got a manually adjusted clutch or an auto adjuster one. If the latter the ajuster may be loosing its grip. Next time it happens fully depress the clutch then let your foot slip off the pedal and slam up to the top. ( neutral of course ) This will jolt the auto adjuster into life and remove the free cable length. Regards Peter
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