Clutch or Slave/Master? Help, Please!

[SunfireGuy88]

Hey AF, big fan.

I have my 1998 sunfire 2.4 here, with a MAJOR problem.

has 194000 k on it.

Today driving home from work, I noticed that the car wouldnt accelerate. It felt as though the clutch wasnt engaging, as it was quite limp feeling. So i revved the motor to test... as soon as it hit 5000 RPM, the car started moving normally, so i let off the gas, and the clutch felt like it had engaged. I changed to 2nd gear, same behavior. I'm near certain the clutch is taking about 15-30 seconds to fully engage, and even then, if i apply quick gas, it just revs high and doesnt speed up.

Seems to me, as a semi-educated person ( ex- 3rd year apprentice) that it's a hydraulic problem. Why? because the clutch ALMOST engages... but the pedal is weak and has ZERO resistance, as well as the revving up endlessly.

There is no leaking of clutch fluid, as far as I can see... 'Slave cylinder diaphragm' comes to mind.

Help? please

[rhandwor]

Normally when a clutch slave or master cylinder go bad they leak. As the unit helps push the clutch to release it I would suspect the clutch. It could be hanging up but I doubt it. Some of the older chevy's the slave bolted to the side of the transmission so you could watch it work.
If you have to drop the transmission replace all the parts.

[txpelon]

above post is good and agree if it was the cylinder it would be leaking. and suspect seems to be your clutch going out. not easy or cheap fix if done at a shop, if you do it, a new clutch is not much, the work will be hell, if your are mechanically inclined do not attempt this. if you are and know you can do this read below

1. is car leaking oil or tranny fluid to tranny side, meaning oil and or tranny fluid could be getting onto the clutch causing slipping <- fix leaks

2. when you "noticed" or felt the clutch not engaging you should of been able to smell a horrid nasty smell as the clutch is burning (metal burning smell?) burning smell only furthers proof of a clutch going bad

3. did you go threw large puddle of water, or had car washed as this will cause clutch to slip

i dont agree with replacing "all" parts in the tranny as this is nowhere cheap to do. replacing the clutch/plate and throw out bearing and other parts assosiated yes. including any leaks be it oil/tranny fluid leaking on the tranny side.

if there are shavings inside the tranny oil then yes replace tranny not parts
if you do this on your own, and find shavings in the bell housing of the tranny dont freak out, its shavings from the clutch.

if your driving one day and all the sudden you hear a loud explosion and feel it, it will be your clutch, you will know when you wont be able to shift gears and car will not go, it will scare the C@#P out of you do trust that.

other then that, if you have never done this get the repair book, and make sure you have tools, and a full day to do this. with alot of patience

[rhandwor]

I meant the clutch parts not all the parts.