New clutch? Transmission? Cylinders? If you need more detail please let me know!!?

Question

CALLING ALL MECHANICS! Do I need a new clutch!?
My clutch froze up yesterday, it would go back and forth to the ground, but the gears were stuck. I'm assuming I need a new clutch and have no idea what it would cost!

The clutch was wearing down, you could feel it. The best way I can describe it as someone who knows very little about this sort of thing.. is that it felt as the the clutch came "unattached" so when I went to change gears, it seems as though the clutch wasn't pressed in at all.

Additional Details

It's a 2000 Nissan Maxima

The vehicle will not go into gear when it's running. There was a button down beside the clutch that when it was pressed in the vehicle would still start (the clutch needs to be in on my car in order for it to start)

I guess a worry of mine is that the transmission might be shot?

Someone said it might just be the cylinders.. is this possible?

ONE MORE DETAIL: The gears do switch easily when the car is not running

Answer 1

yes it is possible ,,i might have been the one who told you this,,and now that i know what kind of car is,,it probably is one of the cylinders,,i do this 6 days a week for a living,so at least have someone look at it,,i cant see your car to make an accurate answer on it,,but from what you described it sounds lie the cylinders,,good luck with it.,,you don't have to take my word for it,,but i have 36 yrs at doing this,,and i have a good steady business,,at least have it checked out.

Answer 2

2000 Nissan Maxima has a hydraulic clutch. If the vehicle doesn't want to start without that button pushed than the clutch is not moving at all, there is a problem with the hydraulics. I don't believe you need a new clutch or transmission but ether a new clutch master cylinder (located on the bulkhead just beside the brake master cylinder) or clutch slave cylinder (located on the side of the clutch bell housing/transmission under the vehicle.)
Have you seen any fluid leaks?
Have the fluid level checked in the clutch master cylinder. If it is full than the clutch master cylinder is probably the problem, if it is empty than it is usually the slave cylinder under the car.

Answer 3

Sounds like the clutch cylinder if you have a hydraulic clutch but wait there is more, it could be that the “throw out” bearing froze and damaged the fingers on the pressure plate. I am assuming you are not a mechanic so you need to have a mechanically oriented friend look into it for you by removing the splash guard from the bell housing and look at the clutch material left on the plates. Next you need to press the pedal and they look at the actuator on the bell housing, if it moves the problem is the throw out and pressure combination. If they can replace these items great but if not take it to a reputable repair shop and have them replace what you need and carry on.

Answer 4

Well, if you crank it in gear, does the car go down the road? Are you able to drive the car?
Depending on the miles, it could be that the clutch is gone and it needs to be replaced. If the car still runs down the road but you cannot change gears then it could be that the master or slave cylinder maybe bad....if this is the problem then replace one or both and this should do it. But on the other hand it is a possiblilty that the clutch is gone and if so, you will be able to change gears but the car will most likely not move and if it does move then it will not move quickly as it supposed to. It will feel like your engine is reving but you are on a slippery surface and the car can not get traction. If this is the case then it is most likely the clutch. But by your discription, I think it maybe the master cyl. or slave cyl....are you losing hydralic fluid?

email me or IM me if you need more clarification.

Answer 5

It can't possibly be the cylinders, they have nothing to do with the clutch/gearbox directly...... If it was the gearbox that was knackerd you'd probably have come to a grinding halt in a noisey mess. If you can get it into gear when its not running it should be ok. If it was broke it wouldn't do anything.....because it won't go in with the engine running i'd say you need a new clutch 'coz the clutch separates the engine from the gearbox to allow a gear to be selected, before you release the clutch and the power goes through to the gearbox....... hope this makes sense to you???? Dunno about cost on a Nissan could be dear??? Do you know anyone who could have a look for you??? Could save you £££or$$$

Answer 6

Most likely the clutch slave cylinder. $150.

Unless the engine would "rev up" while the clutch was fully engaged (slip). Or you can't change gears easily between 1-2 when the engine is not running. The first is the clutch itself is shot. The 2nd would be the synchros are gone and the tranny will have to be rebuilt.

Answer 7

What? Cylinders? No. Transmission shot? Likely not. New clutch? Most likely. I've seen this before. One of my friends burned out his clutch on a '95 Nissan 300ZX. It's gonna cost a few hundred dollars to get it replaced. If you're lucky you might have just broke the clutch cable. Not so expensive. But what isn't today with labor, huh?

Answer 8

It sounds like a clutch cable... There's a cable from the pedal to the mechanism that puts the clutch in and out of gear. Get it towed to a shop, that you trust

It does NOT sound like the cylinders at ALL.

Answer 9

Take it to your dealer or mechanic. Sounds like the clutch might be bad, or your clutch cable broke, so you can't engage the clutch anymore, or your throughout bearing has worn through your clutch plate. It does not sound like the tranny is bad and it has nothing to do with your cylinders.

Answer 10

I just had the clutch replaced on my Isuzu Rodeo stick shift and it cost me about $800.00.

Sorry I can't be of more help but it does sound like a clutch problem to me.