fiero clutch issues
bdg85GT
03-20-2006, 02:46 PM
I haven't started my 85 Fiero GT in a few months. Just yesterday I decided to get her running again; which wasn't a problem...she just needed a jump. Anyway...I wanted to get her back out on the road but I couldn't shift into gear. I'm thinking it's the cylinders but I'm not sure. When the car is off I can shift into gear but when it's running I cannot. Any idea of what needs to be done to get this ole girl's wheels a spinin' again? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
southerngent56
03-21-2006, 10:01 AM
Did you check the clutch fluid level in the resevoir?
bdg85GT
03-21-2006, 10:49 AM
I bought Hydro clutch fluid but I'm not sure where I need to add it to. Can you describe the location to me? Thanks!
southerngent56
03-21-2006, 03:28 PM
Up front, next to the brake fluid reservoir. Will have a round plastic cap. Be careful taking off the cap as it will probably be hard to twist off if you haven't opened it up in awhile. If you twist on it too hard you may crack the fluid reservior.
southerngent56
03-21-2006, 04:50 PM
Use the following link for the webpage at the Fiero Store to see a location diagram and pictures of the clutch master cylinder:
http://www.secureleadercom.com/fsstore/default.asp?searchBit=1&searchType=n&searchString=54200+54203+57500+58817&howSearch=AND&searchfield=inetsdesc&map=clutch_hydraulics
Southerngent56
http://www.secureleadercom.com/fsstore/default.asp?searchBit=1&searchType=n&searchString=54200+54203+57500+58817&howSearch=AND&searchfield=inetsdesc&map=clutch_hydraulics
Southerngent56
Ragtop_Renegade
03-21-2006, 08:10 PM
When a Fiero (or any car\truck\van\SUV\motorcycle\high performace bagel toaster with a hydraulic clutch) sits for a while, problems tend to surface.
Rust can easily eat holes in the old steel lines, this is even more prominent when your car gets exposed to or has been exposed to winter road salt or often sees ocean air. Top off the fluid and pump the living snot out of the clutch pedal, then look under the car. If you're getting a wet spot, the line will need replacing to get complete, reliable clutch travel back. If the fluid was low, and topping it off brought the clutch action back, don't assume it'll stay that way!!!! That fluid went somewhere, and it'll leak out again if you don't work to find where.
Remember the seals in your master and slave cylinder are over 20 years old and that's going to make them a bit weaker. Sitting around not getting used can make them shrink, and the older they get the easier this happens. If you're NOT losing fluid, the master cylinder is probably out and needs to be rebuilt/replaced. If you are, and you are positive the line isn't dripping, the slave seal probably failed - this will leak fluid into the clutch bellhousing where you can't see it. In this case the slave must be rebuilt\replaced. Keep in mind that if enough fluid from the slave leaks onto the clutch disc, it will cause slipping and may drastically shorten the life of the clutch.
Rust can easily eat holes in the old steel lines, this is even more prominent when your car gets exposed to or has been exposed to winter road salt or often sees ocean air. Top off the fluid and pump the living snot out of the clutch pedal, then look under the car. If you're getting a wet spot, the line will need replacing to get complete, reliable clutch travel back. If the fluid was low, and topping it off brought the clutch action back, don't assume it'll stay that way!!!! That fluid went somewhere, and it'll leak out again if you don't work to find where.
Remember the seals in your master and slave cylinder are over 20 years old and that's going to make them a bit weaker. Sitting around not getting used can make them shrink, and the older they get the easier this happens. If you're NOT losing fluid, the master cylinder is probably out and needs to be rebuilt/replaced. If you are, and you are positive the line isn't dripping, the slave seal probably failed - this will leak fluid into the clutch bellhousing where you can't see it. In this case the slave must be rebuilt\replaced. Keep in mind that if enough fluid from the slave leaks onto the clutch disc, it will cause slipping and may drastically shorten the life of the clutch.
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