Clutch Failure? Twice??

[Scrunchee]

Power Bleeding is what my mechanic called it...I don't know that's what a Ford Tech would call it. Basically it's reverse bleeding. You attached a pressurized container of fluid to the bleeder nipple and force fluid into the system "backwards"...that is, any bubbles would be expelled through the reservoir instead of exiting with fluid through the bleeder nipple.

[Scrunchee]

So....I picked up the car last night. The clutch worked like a charm. I drove to work this morning and just as I pulled into the parking lot I started having difficulty shifting gears....same problem. So I let the car sit for a couple of hours and went back out. I started the car and the clutch/transmission are working fine.

A couple of thoughts:
This seems to happen when the drive train is warm.
I was looking at TSB's today and found one for 2005 Ford Focus that describes a problem as "difficulty or inability to change gears" and this TSB is related to the transmission, not the clutch.

Anyone know anything about this one? Could this be the problem?

[Randym8888]

Scrunchee, hope you sort it out. I had trouble with my 92 Escort 1.9 in the late 90's, same symptoms. Replaced all clutch parts and pilot bushing twice in 2 years, but problem came back each time after a few months. I've never figured out why, but replacing the trans with a used one cured it. I've topped 400k miles and still drive it to work every day.

[thebonster]

hey scrunchee?

There could be a possibility that the transmission gearbox is empty? Or maybe the problem is with the transmission altogether? Just a thought. I know I responded rather late but I was discussing this thread to my boyfriend. He was having problems with his Ranger. In his case it was the gearbox........not the transmission.


thebonster

[tellylgeorge]

Ok Folks, looks like we're getting somewhere.
I spoke to a ford mechanic i know well who is very reputable and he told me about power bleeding through the bleed valve. I've heard about power bleeding before but only when you pressurise the fluid reservoir (not reverse through the bleed nipple). Our clutch causes problems only when engine is warm so i'll definately be warming car up first. I'm gonna be bleeding the system today so i'll keep you posted.

[tellylgeorge]

OK. I was by myself today and I havent bought a pressure bleeding kit YET so I thought I'd try using a length of tube that connects to the bleed nipple, which has a check valve on the end only allowing fluid to be pushed out. Had to use the pedal method. wasn't holding much hope but before I buy an expensive pressure kit wanted to try it. No such luck. Next I'm gonna drain the system and back fill it through the nipple with a pressure bleeding kit. Will keep you posted. The cluth is excellent when it's going ok but this air in the system is a real pain.

[phantom_smack]

I understand now thanks,just never heard it called that

[adrenochrome]

You pretty much replaced everything in the whole clutch system but the hydraulic line right? Replace it! Whats the line look like is it made out of nylon or rubber? It's very doubtful air is getting into the system and it would have to be between the grommets and the reservoir on the master cylinder otherwise elsewhere you would see a leak because everything else in the system is under pressure.

[tellylgeorge]

I managed to sort it now. It was the master cylinder after. It wasn't leaking at all though in the footwell like most people report. Now I have renewed everything in the system (clutch, slave and master cylinder) barr the pipes.

[jonmark1985]

man thats great to hear, I wondered if a component had a problem