Thread: need help with sigma

Just read a bit more of the posts.....

you said nothing was hanging down....this is just a thought...since it's a cable clutch has the cable jammed and the clutch is now in a disengaged position.

Two person job, one to deprees the clutch and one to watch the lever move. If it doesn't move then the cable is frozen and the clutch is in a disengaged position.

Originally Posted by Calm

Your explanation sounds very much like a slipping clutch.

Try this. - start the engine and without your foot on the clutch try to put it in first or reverse - it should grate - this will mean the driveline is as it should be. (it may be able to be forced in with a grate then no more noise - this would be the clutch slips after you get it into gear.

Then try - with no engine running and the car in gear probably top gear open bonnet and push /rock car while watching to see if the fan or alternator pulleys are moving.

then try - start engine at idle try to take off in first or reverse - does the car move at all or does it try to move then nothing.

From your initial description i don't think it is engine or brakes but most likely clutch -now to the question of how much -

Well if you haven't got $10,000 to replace the car then the car you replace it with could well have all the same problems you have now.

To put a clutch in your car would cost about 2 or 3 hundred for parts and about 4 to 5 hours labour (thats a guess - allow 8) so you are looking at 8 x $100 plus the parts $300 so about $1100 should repair it.

As i said if you cant afford to buy at least a 2000 model car you could be getting exactly the same wear & tear as you have.

BTW i am a qualified Mechanic and i am going off the information you have supplied/described.

Had a thought - is there a thread and nut (might be hexagon or thumb nut) where the cable from underneath go through the "firewall" into the inside of the car (you said near speedo) if so you can try to loosen off the nut till you can get some movement of the cable (pulls in and out a little bit) - some Lancers and sigmas had a clutch adjustment here some have no adjustment. not sure about the 1982 models.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Calm not hiring you to do a clutch in any vehicle
I am also a licenced mechanic
car set times is 2 1/2hrs tops thats from start to finish.
Have done coaches and buses in 3 hrs yeh ok there are ones which have taken a week damn MAN's engineers.

Pioneer Coaches used to change motors in 4 hrs.

went to 3 garages

1 got on the phone to price a kit then said i will do it for $500.00

2 Have to look at it but about $500.00

3 $800.00 to $1000.00

Will try to buy a car for 7 to 8 thou, went to cars guide victoria and there were plenty around that price 1998/1999/2000

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Calm not hiring you to do a clutch in any vehicle
I am also a licenced mechanic
car set times is 2 1/2hrs tops thats from start to finish.
Have done coaches and buses in 3 hrs yeh ok there are ones which have taken a week damn MAN's engineers.

Pioneer Coaches used to change motors in 4 hrs.

Ray i could beat my chest and tell how fast i am too but the OP asked for an estimate of cost - so i thought it would be better to give a conservative figure (approx $1000) instead of ending up trying to explain why my "quote" was only half the actual cost.

As for the things to try - the answers would have given me a good idea of the problem and would definitely have the slipping clutch confirmed or eliminated.

Next time i want some work done i will come for a trip to the coathanger city - your speed and mechanical ability would easily save the cost of travelling

Cheers

Originally Posted by Calm

Ray i could beat my chest and tell how fast i am too but the OP asked for an estimate of cost - so i thought it would be better to give a conservative figure (approx $1000) instead of ending up trying to explain why my "quote" was only half the actual cost.

As for the things to try - the answers would have given me a good idea of the problem and would definitely have the slipping clutch confirmed or eliminated.

Next time i want some work done i will come for a trip to the coathanger city - your speed and mechanical ability would easily save the cost of travelling

Cheers

Dave if I wanted to beat my chest I would have said "I have done a Landcuriser clutch in 1 1/2 hours" of course this was with everything set up ready to go the night before. Using airtools, propper jacks on the floor not on hoist.

Or the VW beatle in my back yard in 1 3/4's in with only light from the back step light and a lamp, while LOML and female owner had a cuppa.

Now days it would take me that long to get the jack out and lift the car then a week to do the clutch.

As for all the questions to ask I tried to cover the possible answers and causes I have come across. Costing well difference between state rates doesn't look to far out and thats just going off what our mechanic charges here.

Yep its tough to believe someone like me could have done such as I have.