MkIV 5-speed problem

[Feenz99]

I own a 94 MKIV non turbo with the original 5 speed. Today as I was driving home from work the transmission didn't seem like it could get any power to the wheels. Every time I would hit the gas to car would rev and depending on how hard it would go to the redline. And still no more than a little of that power would go to the wheels. As I drove home it also got progressively worse till in first gear I was barely able to get going after stopping at a light with a very slight incline. Please can someone tell me what is wrong with my car?

[bgrieger]

clutch failure. Coming on that quickly leads me to believe it is contaminated with oil or perhaps brake fluid from the clutch slave cylinder.

[Feenz99]

What needs to be done? Do I need to get a new tranny or is there an easier fix?

[bgrieger]

no, you need to replace the clutch. The trans should be fine. Given what seems to be a lack of mechanical knowledge, I'd recommend letting a professional evaluate it first, and perform the replacement. If there is a case of fluid contamination, the source of that will need to be fixed as well or you'll have the same problem in a couple of days, requiring the re-replacement of the clutch. Sources could include the rear main seal, the clutch slave cylinder, or in a very unusual possibility, it could be the trans seal (I say unusual as trans fluid is not under pressure, and is the furthest away possible source of fluid).

[Feenz99]

Thanks alot