Ok so I got a winter beater, as the weather is getting harsh here, and the fiero is getting prepped for the 4.9L swap so i stopped driving it for a few days. Last day i drove it was a week ago saturday, everything was fine, shifted a bit stiff (because my cables are binding) and clutch travel/pressure was normal. Go today to move it into the garage (supposed to get snow tonight) start it up, putters a bit becaust it likes to do that when it's cold, go to put the car in 1st and it won't go, put it in neutral. let it warm up a bit, push the clutch in and theres no pressure. It's like a wet noodle. The car will shift into gear when it's not on, so i put it in first, started it up with the clutch all the way to the floor and the car started moving forward with the clutch in all the way to the floor. Got it into the garage and put the front end up on jackstands to see if it's leaking anything anywhere. Nothing. any ideas anyone? I'm supposed to be getting it ready for a 4.9, not figuring out why i can't even move it with the car on!
------------------
IP: Logged
12:34 AM
PFF
System Bot
Steven Snyder Member
Posts: 3326 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Mar 2004
i had a similar problem on my '84 which was most noticeable on cold days. check around the slave cylinder for leakage, the old seals get stiff and leak. a rebuild kit fixed mine.
IP: Logged
02:49 AM
Vader Member
Posts: 87 From: A long, long time ago... Registered: Jul 2000
i had a similar problem on my '84 which was most noticeable on cold days. check around the slave cylinder for leakage, the old seals get stiff and leak. a rebuild kit fixed mine.
That was my first thought. Have someone operate the clutch pedal while you watch the slave cylinder. I bet you'll find fluid leaking out the end. Pretty easy to rebuild. If it's not leaking there and there is no movement, then look at your clutch master cylinder.
IP: Logged
10:07 AM
niteviper Member
Posts: 11 From: claremore, ok usa Registered: Sep 2005
I got an '88 fiero with a 4 cyl and a muncie 5 spd and i just got done doing a new clutch job but now its hard to shift into gear what gear oils or fluids do you use in yours ???? I used 80-90w in my tranny but i am wandering if it is to thick of a oil to use please fill me in on whats the best to use thanks
IP: Logged
10:38 AM
RTNmsds Member
Posts: 1104 From: Woodruff, SC Registered: Oct 2003
Even if you don't see a fluid leak, that doesn't mean the hydraulic system isn't at fault. If the slave is moving at all, you might be able to bleed the system & get the clutch back for a little while. If this is the case, you want to fix this correctly ASAP as this is not a permanent solution. If air got in once, it will happen again.
IP: Logged
01:12 PM
lurker Member
Posts: 12355 From: salisbury nc usa Registered: Feb 2002
I got an '88 fiero with a 4 cyl and a muncie 5 spd and i just got done doing a new clutch job but now its hard to shift into gear what gear oils or fluids do you use in yours ???? I used 80-90w in my tranny but i am wandering if it is to thick of a oil to use please fill me in on whats the best to use thanks
yes, MUCH too thick. they were issued with 10w30 in manuals, but GM recommends synchromesh, which can be had at autozone for about $5 a quart.
The car has a newer (like 4 month) master cylinder. and I am running synchromesh. I will check the slave cylinder when someone gets home to help me tonight
IP: Logged
07:27 PM
RTNmsds Member
Posts: 1104 From: Woodruff, SC Registered: Oct 2003
You can bleed the slave by yourself if you can work with both hands. One hand needs to compress the slave and keep it there while the other tightens the bleed valve.
Make sure the MS is full. Crack open the slave bleed valve & push the slave rod all the way in, then close the bleed value and let it return. Do this a couple times making sure the MS stays full. Really helps to have a "one man bleeder" kit to keep from making a mess & to keep from sucking air back into the slave. I used a clear line so I could see if and/or when no more bubbles were ejected from the unit. In addition, that line helped to insure I didn't suck back air if I accidently let up a little bit of pressure prematurely on the slave rod (i.e. while I was closing the bleed valve). If you don't connect a line to the bleeder, be careful not to shoot the hydraulic fluid up into your face / eyes when you compress the slave rod.