Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Help! Possible tranny/clutch problem

I've just recently started experiencing a problem with the clutch/trans in my 98 SVT E1. I have a hard time shifting, absolutely MUST match the RPM's to the gear when downshifting, cannot up or downshift at higher RPM's.

My brake fluid resevoir was low recently, so I though it might be air in the slave cyl. I bled the slave cyl using a vacuum pump, got some air out, but the problem persists. I've also changed the fluid in the trans (Mobil 1 ATF)

When the clutch pedal is depressed and the trans is engaged in ANY gear you will hear a whining noise that sounds like a power steering pump that is low on fluid.

When shifting gears it almost feels as though the clutch isn't fully disengaging, as the shifter feels as though it's reluctant to move out of the gear it's currently in. The noise mentioned above is what really worries me. When in neutral the noise is NOT present, with the clutch pedal depressed or not. There is also no noise present when the clutch is fully engaged while driving in any gear. The noise only happens when the clutch pedal is pushed and the trans is in gear. You also hear some noise as you release the clutch from a standstill.

HELP! I'm stumped. I live in Southgate MI (downriver) if anyone know of a good place to have it worked on. The car has 65,000 miles so it is out of warranty.

Also, it just started doing this out of the blue. The only warning was an intermittent problem when going into 5th gear, it sometimes went in with a little difficulty.

I had a problem with my clutch where if I had the pedal depressed (clutch disengaged) and revved the motor you could feel the engine pulling the car a little bit. It wasn't fully disengaging.

I would look at the slave cylinder. Check and see if there is any brake fluid seeping from the bottom of the transmission bellhousing. The slave cylinder could be leaking and not able to fully disengage your clutch.

If that is the case, you have to pull the trans, so get a complete clutch kit.

warmonger

Thanks Warmonger, I'll look into that.

I suspect that you still have some air in the clutch hydraulics. Try some more agressive bleeding. You may have a problem with either the slave or clutch master or even the clutch itself, but it is not likely.

You should also add some friction modifier to the trans fluid. It will not likely solve the problem you are experiencing, but the overall shift quality will be tremendously improved. You need 2 oz (half a bottle) of Ford friction modifier. Any Ford dealer should have it.

If the shifts are blocking in all gears it clutch drag...bleed again if you keep getting air could be a master or slave problem...the noise sounds like a release bearing if you only get it with the cluch depressed.When you bleed the clutch overfill the res right up to the top of the neck,you dont need to bleed out much flid to uncover the clutch feed tube and draw in more air...keep it well topped up....

Update:

There is no evidence of leaking brake fluid at the bellhousing. I drained and refilled the trans with Mobil 1 and 2 oz friction modifier. I also bled, re-bled, and re-bled (you get the picture) using a mityvac bleeder vacuum pump. I get no air at all, and refill the master often so no air enters the system. The problem persists.

It feels as though the clutch never fully releases, but what really bothers me is the noises. When letting the clutch out it makes some noise until the clutch is fully engaged. Once the clutch is fully engaged there is no noise. With the pedal depressed (clutch dis-engaged) and in any gear, you hear a noise not unlike a power steering pump low on fluid. With the pedal depressed and in neutral you will hear the noise start as you start to put it into gear, but before it is fully in the gear. In other words it's almost acting like clutch drag, but I don't think the clutch is dragging. The RPM's drop immediately when driving and depressing the clutch pedal. This is driving me crazy.

Terry Haines, I believe you're in MI and work at a dealership or the like..? How close are you to Downriver (Southgate)? I'm going to try to bleeed the system yet again, but I'm getting ready to give up on fixing this myself.

Thanks to all for your input. It's all VERY much appreciated.

It still sounds like a release bearing proble,I know Southgate,the Roush 'Pink Palace'..no I dont work in a dealership, Haines Motor Sports Inc is our own company,we a located north of Grand Rapids ,Mi....PM me ..TH