Help! Car won't go into gear!!!!!

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by ched454

The hydraulic slave cylinder doesn't care whether the car is running or not running.

True, but... excerpt from this website

"...The clutch pedal is connected to the disengagement mechanism either by a cable or, more commonly, by a hydraulic system. Either way, pushing the pedal down operates the disengagement mechanism which puts pressure on the fingers of the clutch diaphragm via a throwout bearing and causes the diaphragm to release the clutch plate. With a hydraulic mechanism, the clutch pedal arm operates a piston in the clutch master cylinder. This forces hydraulic fluid through a pipe to the clutch slave cylinder where a another piston operates the clutch disengagement mechanism. ..."

The slave cylinder is used to engage/disengage the clutch; if there is insufficient hydraulic pressure the slave cylinder would be unable to perform its function properly. There is more stress (pressure) on a clutch when the motor is running vice when it is not.

I say check the slave cylinder, it is a win, win. If it is the slave cylinder, you just fixed it, if not, then you know it is something mechanical; throwout bearing would be my guess.

[Blitz Kafer]

Sorry, its been a while I was going to sell the car but, I decided not to so I started to tear into it to check the clutch and when I pulled the slave cylinder the green boot was ripped and it was leaking fluid. I'm going to replace it but is this the problem?

[simonsi]

Originally Posted by ched454

The problem doesn't sound hydraulic to me or else he would have trouble getting it into gear when the car is running or not. It sounds mechanical under a load and is probably the pressure plate especially if it is the underrated OEM original part.

NoR is right, no hydraulics won't affect going into gear without the engine running. Try it in yours, stop the engine, don't touch the clutch, you'll find she will go into gear just fine...