Strange clutch incident ...

CamofCT · #1 11-17-2011, 09:38 AM

Purchased a 1999 Ranger with 110,000 miles about a month ago. It drove well then but recently during a heavy rain storm I experienced some weirdness with the clutch. After backing out of a parking space, I shifted into first, eased out the clutch and nothing happened. Shifted back to reverse, nothing happened. Double checked the parking brake. Went through the first then reverse sequence several times. Eventually the clutch engaged (slowly) and I eased back into the parking space. After crossing my fingers, I tried again and all worked fine and made it home without incident. The clutch pedal feels normal, not soft, and engages at what seems the right distance from the floor. Any thoughts on what may have happened? TIA

pooleo · #2 11-17-2011, 09:54 AM

must have been an air bubble

CamofCT · #3 11-17-2011, 11:37 AM

If an air bubble, is this a symptom of a more serious problem? TIA

MUDFLAP · #4 11-17-2011, 11:59 AM

Id bleed the clutch and go from there...

Badmotorfinger1 · #5 11-18-2011, 01:05 PM

I'm not completely convinced it's air in your clutch as if that was the case you wouldn't have been able to shift in any gear without grinding the gears. However, bleeding the clutch is a cheap and easy thing to do, so I'd agree to do that 1st.

Based on your description, I think your clutch disk is wearing out. An easy way to check for a slipping disk is to park your front wheels against a curb stop, put the truck in 1st and very slowly let out the clutch without giving it gas. If the disk is good, the RPM will drop very quickly and the truck will stall. If the RPM stays the same or drops slowly, your disk is on it's last legs.

It's also possible your flywheel got wet during the downpour and the clutch disc couldn't get a good initial grip, but I can't fathom how that much water could have gotten inside your bellhousing to cause that condition.