Can't get into gear...

[jpalmer1717]

I've been noticing that getting into gear from a stop has been difficult. It got worse quickly. Now I can't hardly get the shifter into gear and also noticing the clutch is catching almost instantly when letting it out. What is happening??

[SAHall]

I had a similar issue and it turned out that my clutch fluid was very low. I filled the reservoir and it was like I installed a new clutch. Good luck.


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[LGAFF]

Also check the fork/Pivot ball .....

[jpalmer1717]

I had a similar issue and it turned out that my clutch fluid was very low. I filled the reservoir and it was like I installed a new clutch. Good luck.


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Dumb question- where is the reservoir located?

[32valvZ]

Dumb question- where is the reservoir located?

under the computer on the driver side firewall

[SAHall]

Yes, it’s on the driver’s side, close to the firewall and under the computer.


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[jpalmer1717]

Yes, it’s on the driver’s side, close to the firewall and under the computer.


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Well, that definitely would appear to be the problem as the well looks empty...but for the life of me I cannot get the cap off.

[Paul Workman]

If...when you do remove the cap, you or your mechanic should bleed the clutch MASTER and SLAVE cylinders first. Then keep a close eye on the level, looking for signs of leakage.

Good luck!

[lfalzarano]

Channel lock pliers for the 1st time is needed.


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[We Gone]

I also had to use Channel lock pliers the first time, just wrap the cap with a rag. When refilling keep the level below the full mark or when you insert the black cup it will overflow.

[WARP TEN]

When I first got my '93 in 1994, on a Friday afternoon I took a business trip to Indiana from Chicago across the notorious I-80/94 interstate then down I-65. I started losing my clutch the same way, pedal catching progressively closer and closer to the floor, and it eventually got to the point that I was driving without a clutch. I really didn't want to drive back on the usually horrible Friday afternoon I-80/94 traffic without a properly working clutch, so just by luck I found a small rural Chevrolet dealer just before they closed at 4 PM. They fairly quickly diagnosed the problem as lack of clutch fluid (a slow leak). They fixed it quickly by refiling it for me, and didn't even charge me for it. They were so excited to see a ZR-1--they had never had one at their dealership--that they were happy to do the work for free. Got home safely, then a few days later got a new master and slave cylinder just to be sure. Never a problem after that in 70,000 miles of driving. --Bob

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

What they all said!
Don't kill the cap when you tighten it.
Try not to overfill, clutch fluid, like brake fluid, could be used as paint remover.
First time I wrestled with that cap, was sure I was going to break the reservoir off of the base, but I didn't, nor should you.
Rarely have I had to bleed it, just depends how low it becomes, but working the pedal 20-30 times always restored my pedal even when near dead to the floor.
Marty

[jpalmer1717]

Well thank you everyone! This site is such an awesome resource.

[Paul Workman]

For future reference, you can join the Registry and access the Heart Of The Beast (on-line) magazine. #46 contains the complete procedure for replacing and bleeding the clutch hydraulics, should you ever need to. OR, PM me with your email address and I can send you a copy.

Welcome to the club!