I had a very recent clutch change done on my Mk1 1.6 Focus. Its done 95k. The gearbox has been a little notchy (1st & 2nd) and snaggy (lift clutch slightly to get in reverse) since I bought it at 72k. The clutch change seemed to remedy that...

Except in the last few days. When starting the car from cold in the AM, I cannot get the car into gear. Not even with the clutch pedal all the way to the floor. When I try to force it into 1st, the car tries to move as if the clutch pedal is up. Reverse just grinds. Not good. I really have to FORCE it into gear for the first 2/3 miles. Once its warmed up its better....

I'm worried that I will end up forcing it just that little bit too hard, and destroying the gearbox one morning. Just in time for the summer. Ideal.

Any advice? My MOT is due in a couple of weeks... At the same garage that did the clutch. Could an adjustment be made to fix this issue? Or would it be best to sell the car on ASAP?!

I'd rather not get rid of the car. Other than this, its been a trooper for the past 24k.

Cheers.

PS - My clutch pedal return spring snapped a while back... I have the replacement part and have even stretched the spring out... but cannot find a garage to do it for me for less than £150. And i've tried and failed several times to do it (6ft3in and bulky) without taking the driver seat out... Not convinced that would be the problem though. Seems like a possible hydraulic issue when the fluid is cold.

 

check the clutch hydraulics, had the exact same problem and had to replace the clutch master cylinder on mine to rectify it, a right pain in the arse of a job.

 

LUK 3 part clutch kit was fitted. Clutch & Release Plate plus the slave cylinder.

A new 'slant' to this is that I live on a hill. Instead of parking facing up the hill last night, I parked facing down. No problems whatsoever with the GB this morning. Could the oil or fluid be so low that this could make a difference to selecting first/second or reverse?

 

master cylinder is leaking i would hazard a guess.
pain in the arse job. its the pedal end.

 

Can't see or feel any fluid leaks from the MS at the pedal. The fluid is not dropping in its levels either...

 

Was the box oil changed along with the clutch ?

 

No. And I had the clutch bled again when it was MOT'd. Problem has come back again.

When I pump the clutch it goes away. Pain in the ass though, doing it every time I start the car from cold.

Passed its MOT with flying colours though. Something to be happy about.