Hey dubbers! A few questions..

[TattoedDubist]

So I realize that many times young guys such as myself(19 years old) come onto the vortex and just spit out questions without ever having searched through the vast network that is the vortex. Personally, I try to avoid making myself look like an idiot, and so I have searched through the vortex in search of answers but I have yet to find the answers that I am looking for.

To begin, I have owned two VW's the most recent and pertinent to my questions is a 1986 Jetta GLI Wolfsburg edition. Recently while cruising around downtown portland my clutch decided to randomly drop to the floor and not allow me to shift without performing a delicate clutch and throttle dance So I finally get her home and begin all the primary checks that I'm able to perform at my current location (i.e. pedal cluster, cable(manual adjust of course) and the position and movability of the arm). All checked out and so I decided my baby would have to wait until I could afford a tow to shop and just get it taken care of. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what the problem could be? I was thinking either slave cylinder or master cylinder?

Secondly, being the poor bastard that I am I would like to keep the 8v until I am able to drop a 16 or 20v Turbo in there. Until then, I would like to continue to add power, and so I was considering a dam intake, new headers and a better exhaust. Any other ideas?

Finally, I apologize if I missed any threads that answer these questions, but I appreciate any answers I may receive.

Cheers Fellas!

[ps2375]

If you have the auto adjusting cable, it is prolly time to replace the cable. You could do another auto adjusting cable (as this one prolly lasted a long time) or you could go with the older manual adjusting cable. You'll be able to tell the auto from the manual cables as the manual cable has a screw-in end at the tranny and the auto adjust cable has a larger diameter section on it that will compress when pushed on.

[ziddey]

No master/slave cylinder with a cable setup.

So you said you verified the cable is still hooked up to the pedal and the clutch release arm on the transaxle? If that is the case, it sounds like the cable is toast (and perhaps the auto-adjusting version.

[ps2375]

And before I forget, BUY A BENTLY MANUAL FOR YOUR CAR if you are planning on doing any work on it. That is the first and best tool to have.

[TattoedDubist]

If you have the auto adjusting cable, it is prolly time to replace the cable. You could do another auto adjusting cable (as this one prolly lasted a long time) or you could go with the older manual adjusting cable. You'll be able to tell the auto from the manual cables as the manual cable has a screw-in end at the tranny and the auto adjust cable has a larger diameter section on it that will compress when pushed on.

No master/slave cylinder with a cable setup.

So you said you verified the cable is still hooked up to the pedal and the clutch release arm on the transaxle? If that is the case, it sounds like the cable is toast (and perhaps the auto-adjusting version.

And before I forget, BUY A BENTLY MANUAL FOR YOUR CAR if you are planning on doing any work on it. That is the first and best tool to have.

First, thank you for the prompt replies, yet another reason I love being a VW owner. Community is everything!

Second, I have the manually adjustable cable because I don't like the problems that are often associated with the auto adjusting cables.... I removed the cable to check it and couldn't find any problems with it, its in great condition... Also I have a Bently but it is lost in storage at the moment because I have been moving around so much I did some digging through the interweb and I am wondering if the problem could be that the pressure plate has been punctured? The manually adjusting cable was backed all the way out, so I'm wondering if the PO mis-adjusted it and the constant pressure on the pressure plate caused it to puncture.. I'm honestly at a loss at this point, so come monday I will be getting her towed to my local garage. I will keep you updated as to how this all ends up!

Cheers Fellas

[ziddey]

I don't understand the situation. The clutch pedal is on the ground, even though the cable is fine and hooked up? That doesn't make sense.

[TattoedDubist]

I don't understand the situation. The clutch pedal is on the ground, even though the cable is fine and hooked up? That doesn't make sense.

Exactly my point! thats why I'm assuming that there is something wrong inside the clutch

[ziddey]

I'm not sure if there's a spring at the pedal or in the transaxle for that car. Assuming it's in the clutch release fork, if the clutch pedal is on the ground, it means the cable is disconnected or snapped / frayed--stretched.

Watch the clutch release arm while someone presses the clutch pedal.

[ps2375]

AGAIN,

BUY A BENTLY MANUAL FOR YOUR CAR if you are planning on doing any work on it. That is the first and best tool to have.

As you don't seem to grasp how the clutch works on this car.

[TattoedDubist]

I'm not sure if there's a spring at the pedal or in the transaxle for that car. Assuming it's in the clutch release fork, if the clutch pedal is on the ground, it means the cable is disconnected or snapped / frayed--stretched.

Watch the clutch release arm while someone presses the clutch pedal.

AGAIN,


As you don't seem to grasp how the clutch works on this car.

The release arm still has movement when pressing on the pedal. I guess the cable could be stretched or frayed, but it did not appear to be when I removed it from the assembly.

And honestly ps2375 I guess don't. Therefore I chose to ask people who do understand it and could assist me with the problem. If you read above posts you will see that I don't have access to my Bently Manual at the moment, so I'm doing the best with what I've got. I apologize if for some reason my lack of knowledge offends you, next time I'll make sure to ask questions about subjects that I am completely knowledgeable of, because that is after all how we learn correct?

[retoropak]

Check the actuation finger under the green cover on your tranny if it is good.
It happend to my cabrio that the pushrod punctured the thrust plate in that case you need to drop the tranny.
Both things will give you simmilar sympthoms that your car has

[ziddey]

how much movement does the arm have? can you easily move it the same with your hand? it may have a bit of play, especially if the cable is loose.

if you can apply a lot of force and actually pull the arm up, you know it's fine.

still sounds like the cable is bad.