[shovelhead88]

I have a 1987 Camry with 215K all was well 2 days ago, and yesterday I felt i had lost at least a 1/2in. to point of engaging. This morning it will not engage even when pressed to the floor. I have limited funds and am about ten miles from the tranny shop, If anyone can give me advice on what to do even if its only to get me to the shop (full repair would be nice...beggers can't be choosers). P.S. I am not auto inclined so pics would be of GREAT help Thanks.

 

[touringcamry]

Hows the clutch fluid level?

 

[shovelhead88]

Well, I've looked at all the fluids under the hood and they seem to be ok. Now assuming I'm an idiot (which i am when it comes to automobiles) how would or should i go about trying to adjust the linkage? Or is that not necessary?

 

[Mike Gerber]

Like touringcamry said, check the fluid in the clutch master cylinder resevoir carefully. You must remove the top and look down in to the resevoir. Over time the fluid will stain the inside of the translucent resevoir, making it look as if the resevoir is full, when it is actually empty. You may have a leak in the clutch slave or master cylinder that has allowed all the fluid to leak out. When all the fluid leaks, out you will not be able to depress the clutch to shift.

Mike

 

[marc780]

If the clutch fluid has not leaked out then the car may have a bad pressure plate in the clutch. sometimes the springs go bad in it. (Here are some images of what the clutch parts look like)

The fix is to replace the clutch parts. (diagram shows side view of clutch parts assembled in the car)

 

[toyomoho]

Have someone press on the pedal while you watch for action at the clutch release arm on the bell housing. Make sure the arm is moving

 

[Mike Gerber]

Have someone press on the pedal while you watch for action at the clutch release arm on the bell housing. Make sure the arm is moving

Good point. This will show if there is an internal leak in the clutch master that may not otherwise show up. The clutch master seals could be bypassing fluid internally and not producing enough hydraulic pressure to move the clutch release arm. The clutch master can leak externally and a loss of fluid will show in the master cylinder resevoir being low or empty. An internal leak will only show up as a loss of hydraulic pressure, producing an inability to move the clutch release arm.

Mike