The 'E' Type Forum

Hi;
I purchased by 1965 4.2 Coupe just over a year ago and have done around a 1500 miles, making sure it gets a little run out every month. Took it out last Saturday for its first 'proper' run out this year (approx 200 miles) and it was perfect, no issues fish n chips at Wetwang and all... Went to it on Saturday, started up on the button as always, engaged reverse all good backed it up out of its bubble, put it into neutral to warm up whilst i opened the shed doors.. Got back in and no way could I get it into any gear. The pedal felt a little strange but was still there, so I pumped it a little and it went rock hard at half way, let my foot off and it then pressed straight to the floor as normal but when I tried to engage gear impossible.. switched it off, got out, had a little cry, more so when I googled the labour required to change the clutch.. I got back in, started it up and it engaged reverse perfectly..... stopped after a few yards tried to put it in first and again it was like trying to change without a clutch, impossible.. In my head it now seems impossible to be the clutch itself and thinking hydraulic issue, now I know no one can diagnose by email but can anyone point me in the right direction of an honest specialist in the Yorkshire area, thanks for any help. Richard

You could try Ken Verity in Rotherham 07977 198350 (I think that's his number)
Ken Jenkins is also a good man to contact http://www.ukjag.co.uk/stock/. He knows classic Jaguars very well and is the technical advisor to the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club.

I'm guessing it is hydraulic from what you say. Good luck

Geoff

Hi Richard....first thoughts are to bleed/replace the clutch fluid if it hasnt been changed recently..if you dont have a hard pedal you have air in the system.....then check the clutch adjustment on the slave cylinder pushrod....details in the service manual....Steve

I would agree with Steve. Sounds like a hydraulic issue rather than a clutch issue. Try bleeding the system. If that does not sort the issue you may need to rebuild (new seals) or replace either the master or slave cylinders...or both. All eminently doable on a drive. J

I had the same thing. Needed new master and slave cylinders

Check the condition of the hose between the reservoir and the clutch master cyl. If it looks old and knackered, it may be the problem. My hose broke up internally when it got old. The bits got sucked into the master cylinder where they gummed up the little valve that shuts off the master cylinder from the reservoir when the pedal is pressed. Black fluid in the reservoir was the giveaway, despite me having changed it only a few weeks before the clutch hydraulics finally failed. When it went, the master cylinder would only pump fluid back and forth to the reservoir.

Thank you for the advice Gents, had a look around the Clutch hydraulics and fluid colour looks OK, looks like it’s leaking a little from the reservoir, thinking that new hoses and master and slave is the way to go. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty but I know my limits so defiantly need some recomendations for who could do the work, have tried Mr Verity but no answer as yet any other thoughts, I am in East Yorkshire, thanks.

Suggest you contact Phil Leeson at The Heritage Car Company in Malton. He does the more challenging work on my '62 OTS and I can't fault him on knowledgeability, timeliness and reasonable charging rates .

Other local Jag owners also hold him in high regard.

www.heritage-car.co.uk

Geoff

Pickering, N. Yorks

If you have a leak in either the master or slave you probably have a load of air in the system by now. I would try the simple things first, fix the leak and bleed the system through.

Thanks for the advice, got it booked in with Mr Verity on Saturday....