So on my way home last night, my clutch pedal just kind of took a dump on me. That is, it's practically on the floor, and the car won't go into gear from a stop. It shifts fine, however. So the only way I can get the car to go anywhere is to put it in first while it's off, then start it. And I'm not about to drive it like that.

So my question is, do you think this is a straight up clutch problem, or could it be the slave / master cylinder? I checked the reservoir and it's full, so I know it's not a leaking fluid issue. If it is the clutch, what do you guys recommend I buy? This is a daily driver that will see some occasional track use, so I don't want to get anything overkill, but I do want something better than OEM.

 

its your clutch. ever heard of shifting without the clutch? its a truckers technique, but itll work in the meanwhile. just rev match. search for it, its been discussed here. as for what clutch, i dunno really. depends on hp goals...

 

Yes, I've heard of shifting without the clutch, but I can't do it. :P Anyway, maybe I wasn't all that clear, but I'm not having a problem shifting. The problem is I can't get the car to go into first gear from a stop while it's on. The only way to get the car going is to turn it off, put it in first, then start it and go.

 

Just start off in 2nd for the meantime

 

Well, I'd say you probably want to have your slave/master cyl looked at, if there is no pedal pressure at all. If you can't get it into first gear, it's probably because your clutch is not being put on the flywheel for it to stop spinning. The real question is, why only first gear?

Any grinds in first prior to this?

I'd have it looked at by a mechanic if you can't locate the problem...