250 SL 4 spd manual clutch/ trans problem

[zak]

I am ashamed to say that today was the first day that I took my pagoda out from winter hibernation.
It was hemmed in by daughter's 3 room of furniture temporarily stored  in our garage since last Christmas.
I have been driving my 107 - 280 SL this spring.

So finally the furniture is gone and I tried to get the pagoda out into the sunshine today.
She started and ran fine but when I tried to put it in first gear it would not slide into position.
It would not go into any forward gear at all with the clutch pedal fully depressed. It felt like the stick shifter was locked out from going into gear.  However I was able to get the stick lever into reverse position with the clutch pedal depressed but when I did this the trans engaged reverse gear with a slight jerk and grinding gear sound ( with fully depressed clutch pedal ) and the car drove backwards a few feet.
It is as if the clutch pedal is not doing it's job to allow me to slip into a forward gear.

I had the shifter bushings replaced a mere 1000 miles ago. The clutch has the same weight and pressure and feels normal.   

I hope my explanation is clear.
Any advises are welcome as to the problem.

thanks,

jz

[jeffc280sl]

Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir.  Earlier this season I discovered the slave cylinder was leaking fluid which cause the clutch disk to not separate from the flywheel.  Easy to install a new slave cylinder

[zak]

Thanks jeffc. for quick reply. I will do that tomorrow.

One important thing I forgot to mention ---
When the engine is off I can slide the shifter into every gear, but with the engine running I cannot.

jz

[jeffc280sl]

You're welcome.  I still think we're on the right track.  Just unscrew the cap on your clutch reservoir.  If it's empty you have your answer

[Cees Klumper]

I recall in a Lancia forum recently the same /symptoms problem being discussed and there it was the clutch disc 'frozen' against the flywheel due to a period of inactivity. The clutch works fine but the clutch plate is just stuck. Remedy was to put the car in gear with engine off, then start the engine with foot on the brake to break the clutch loose.

Have a look here:

http://lancisti.net/wbb/index.php?thread/12273-stuck-clutch/&postID=97271#post97271

[zak]

Yes,  the clutch reservoir was bone dry. I filled it with break fluid.
I tried Cees's solution of putting the car in first gear with the engine off, then starting the engine with my foot on the brakes and after a few tries the clutch disk freed up !
It is now running like normal.
Thanks Cees and jeffc.

I love this forum .

jz

[jeffc280sl]

Awesome news.   Suggest you order a new slave and hose.  You might be ok for a while as the slave cylinder components are charged with pressure.  Over the winter fluid may leak.