Major Clutch/Gearbox problem - please help!

[matts_FTO]

Well after months of working on the car to get it how i dreamed today was the day i finally finished! - i've had it resprayed, fitted evo 8 enkei alloys, fitted stainless system, ran battery to the boot to aid fitting a custom intake, coolant hoses, vac hoses etc....

Anyway i took it for a drive today and out of nowhere the there was a strange buzzing/raspy noise on engine braking when decreasing from around 5/6k rpm (i think this was the new stainless system + decat i had fitted bedding in). On exiting the next roundabout taking it easy, i got to 3rd and the revs started increasing quickly to around 6k rpm but with little acceleration...obviously clutch slipping. I drove on home, and it did feel less responsive taking longer to build revs/accelrate.

(I dont know the car too well as i've only driven it on and off for the past month since it has been stood from march while working on it)

Anyway I took it home, and had the clutch peddle pressed in and out while i checked the slave cylinder was doing its job, which it was. I then had the peddle pressed down for over a minute while i watched the cylinder and it showed no signs of de-pressurising, therefore seals were ok.

I then took it for another drive, again it took slightly longer to build revs and accelerate. Then pulling out of a junction and taking it to reasonably high revs in 1st i went to change gear and there was a loud thud/bang as it came out of gear and i couldnt select any other gear after that. I then coasted into a well positioned lay by!

The clutch at this point felt very soft and i couldnt select any gear (linkages i thought). I turned the engine off, then the pressure was back on the clutch pedal and i could select all gears 1st to 5th and reverse. I then took it out of gear, restarted the engine and immediatly the pressure dissapeared from the pedal and i couldnt select any gear!!!!

I'm assuming a new clutch is needed, but any help in diagnostic would be welcomed

Thanks, Matt - I will post pics of the car and all work done when this is resolved i promiss

[Danny Kierans]

sounds like a vacuum leak of some sort.check all vacuum pipes and brake servo unit...just sound strange u loss pressure when engine starts

[matts_FTO]

Ah right good point. I'll check all the vac hoses as i have changed a few of them to samco (silicone) hoses.

Also where abouts is the brake servo unit & how would this affect clutch hydraulics?

If there are anymore thoughts please let me know

Thanks again, Matt

[matts_FTO]

I pulled back the rubber sleeve covering the clutch lever going into the bell housing last night and instantly found pieces of fibreglass mating inside - needless to say i've ordered a new clutch kit!

If anyone has a few pointers with regards a clutch replacement on an fto gpx (man) i would appreciate it.

Also a word of warning - over the period i've had my car and prior to my clucth going, there was a distint sqeaking noise with the clutch engaged (this disappeared when the clutch pedal was pressed telling me it was more than likely the thrust bearing/throw out bearing on its last legs - this is from what i have read anyway. Hopefully i will find out once i've stripped it appart.