> The hydraulic clutch is full and bled.
No
If the transmission will shift into a forward gear with the engine off
but not or only with much force when the engine is running and grinds
when shifting into reverse, your clutch is not releasing all the way.
The most common cause is incomplete bleeding although early models had
problems with the release arm on the transaxle and even later models
could have a bent bracket where the clutch master cylinder pushrod
attaches to the clutch pedal. This last can be checked by looking, the
pin that goes through the end of the rod must be exactly at right
angles. If it is tilted a little the bracket it is mounted on is bent
which reduces clutch travel. Also, if you didn't push the operating rod
of the slave cylinder all the way into the cylinder several times while
bleeding it, you didn't get all the air out. Typically a clutch system
that needs bleeding will feel unusually light, the pedal is real easy to
push down and the force needed doesn't change as you get close to the floor.

Signature
Robert W. Hughes (Bob)
BackYard Engineering
29:40.237N, 95:28.726W or perhaps 30:55.265N, 95:20.590W
Houston, Texas "The city with too much Oxygen"
rwhughe@oplink.net
NunyaBusiness - 22 Jan 2007 00:23 GMT
Sir,
I tried what you suggested and did get out some more air. It does feel
tighter, and altho it got a little better, it's still not good enough to let
my wife drive the car.
I checked the brackets - they all seemed fine.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks again,
C
>> The hydraulic clutch is full and bled.
> No
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> feel unusually light, the pedal is real easy to push down and the force
> needed doesn't change as you get close to the floor.