Help, Car Guys! Lost Clutch on '94 Geo Prizm

[frigilux]

Well, at 227,000 miles, I think the clutch finally failed on my '94 Geo Prizm (which I believe is a rebadged Toyota Corolla). Backed out of the driveway and it wouldn't go into 1st---or any other---gear.

My question: What's a ballpark estimate for a new clutch + labor for installation? This car has a lot of miles left in it, so I want to get it fixed.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[toggleswitch2]

In an emergency it will probably get into first--with the engine off.

Mine got in to higher gears (once into first) without much priblem.

I spent $1,200 on leaking hydraulic clutch cylinders and all the problems AROUND replacing the clutch. When that all did
not work (it was extrmely hard getting the car into gear...) I spent another $1,800 for a clutch. Now the thing works.

I was asking this board if I got rippoed off-- but from what I surmise and reading betwween the line, the bottom line vaires. Some spent more and some spent less for simialr repairs.

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP US INFORMED!

 

[qsd-dan]

If you have a hydraulic clutch, check the fluid first. Could just be a clutch master cylinder/slave cylinder leaking or the rubber hose exploded. If the fluid level is correct, the pressure plate crapped out.....which means clutch replacement time.

 

[tristarcxl]

Hydraulic Clutch

It could also have air in the line. Happened in my Civic. The pedal got REALLY spongy and even when stomped to the floor, not much was happening.

Turns out it had a loose fitting and all was needed was to bleed the slave cylinder and tighten the fitting. Works like new now.

 

[yogitunes]

yeah, I would check the hydraulic clutch fuid, this happens so much and people don't realize it's there, usually around the master cylinder, but if you do need a clutch, shop around and get quotes, some cars are more expensive than others to fix....

 

[hydralique]

Try this: with the car on level ground, set the parking brake and turn the engine off. The shift lever should then go into any gear with no problems at all. If it doesn't, then the problem isn't the clutch. If car does go into gear, then the problem is almost certainly the clutch or clutch actuation system. The most common cause of a clutch not disengaging is as noted above, either the clutch hydraulic system, or a broken cable in a cable operated system. Quite a few cars use a shared reservoir for the clutch and brake master cylinders so be aware of this when checking the fluid.

I have seen a couple of bizarre mechanical failures in clutch systems through the years, one on an old Corvette where one of the springs on the clutch disc itself came loose and would intermittantly jam things, and another on a Porsche where the fitting on the firewall for the cable's sheath fractured and prevented the cable from working correctly, but these kinds of failures are rare. Usually slippage means a new clutch is required, while failure to disengage means something is amiss in the actuation system and the clutch itself isn't at fault.

 

[frigilux]

Thanks for your help, guys! The car is being towed to a trusted mom/pop repair service. I know the people who own it, so I have no fears of being ripped-off.

Hydralique--if the car hasn't been towed by the time I get home for lunch, I'll try to move it into gear. Thanks for the tip.

Hopefully it won't require a new clutch, but if it does, it does. I can't afford a car payment, and the car still runs very well. I need to squeeze another year (or more) from it.

 

[j2400]

Repairs should be cost effective. I don't think the miles are high for a Toyota.

I knew someone with a not-too-well maintained Honda who managed to get nearly 300,000 miles with only relatively minor repairs (including two clutch replacements--the car was heavily driven in the city).

Good luck--let's hope it's something really simple and minor!

 

[frigilux]

Good news!!

The hydraulic something-or-other was leaking. The clutch itself is fine. My repair guy refilled it and found a leak, so the part will be replaced. Total cost installed: $225. The part should be in Thursday.

That's MUCH better than $1800 (or whatever) for a new clutch.

In the meantime, I'm driving a friend's Jeep Wrangler, which makes The Mighty Geo's ride feel like that of a Lexus by comparison.

Thanks again, to all of you who weighed in with info and encouragement!

 

[j2400]

"In the meantime, I'm driving a friend's Jeep Wrangler, which makes The Mighty Geo's ride feel like that of a Lexus by comparison."

Sometimes it's good to try something that's not as good as what one usually uses so one appreciates what one has!

Glad to hear this worked out!