Itinerant Air-Cooled

Ok...stock 1972 Kombi stuck clutch. Engine cranks freely in neutral, put it in gear and it has no clutch action at all.

I'm thinking the disc is rusted to the flywheel or pressure plate?

It cranks like the clutch is not engaged and if my foot wasn't on the brake, we would hit my workbench.

Any suggestions on freeing this baby up without pulling everything apart?

Start it in first and drive it around maybe?


thanks,
Ryan

Ryno wrote:Ok...stock 1972 Kombi stuck clutch. Engine cranks freely in neutral, put it in gear and it has no clutch action at all.

I'm thinking the disc is rusted to the flywheel or pressure plate?

It cranks like the clutch is not engaged and if my foot wasn't on the brake, we would hit my workbench.

Any suggestions on freeing this baby up without pulling everything apart?

Start it in first and drive it around maybe?


thanks,
Ryan

Clutch pedal gives you a springy return?
Pull the engine. Damage can be quick and severe if you try to play around. The things that cause sticking often need a tender ministration of cleaning and lubrication.
Colin

Amskeptic wrote:

Ryno wrote:Ok...stock 1972 Kombi stuck clutch. Engine cranks freely in neutral, put it in gear and it has no clutch action at all.

I'm thinking the disc is rusted to the flywheel or pressure plate?

It cranks like the clutch is not engaged and if my foot wasn't on the brake, we would hit my workbench.

Any suggestions on freeing this baby up without pulling everything apart?

Start it in first and drive it around maybe?


thanks,
Ryan

Clutch pedal gives you a springy return?
Pull the engine. Damage can be quick and severe if you try to play around. The things that cause sticking often need a tender ministration of cleaning and lubrication.
Colin

It does give the springy return. The more I think about it, pulling the engine is the right answer. I hadn't considered the pilot bearing either.

So I took a gamble and tried to start the bus in gear. Just a little cranking and it popped loose.

Ryno wrote:So I took a gamble and tried to start the bus in gear. Just a little cranking and it popped loose.

And now the question is how long until the pilot bearing explodes or the input shaft scores to death . . . if it was the pilot bearing. If it was just a clutch plate stuck to the flywheel surface or pressure plate surface, you might dodge the bullet.
Colin

Either way, the engine is getting pulled this winter for a thorough PM rundown.

I'm glad it will move on its own now, I've got daily driver PM to do before the snow flies.