Strange clutch Problems. Options

[mark95turbo]

OK. So my car isnt liking to go into any gear and when I push the clutch in I hear a strange "hissing" noise coming from the transmission. Also, when i start the car the starter sounds like it is making a funny\loud noise. It doesnt really sound any different, just louder than normal. Any suggestions? I really dont want to tear this tranny ou for like the 4th time in the past 7 months.

[ranta18]

Maybe a hole in your clutch line or slave cylinder? Are you low on clutch fluid? That would make sense. If there was a hole and pressure was leaking out, there would be a hizzing noise, and it wouldn't be pressing the pressure plate all the way, making it harder to get in gear. Check the fluid level and if its leaking.

[mark95turbo]

Already checked that stuff. The Starter is deffinately LOUDER upon startup and when i push the clutch in the RPM's drop alot and I hear a strange grrrrrrrrrrr noise. When its fully warmed up its more of a hissing noise. the clutch assembly is an ACT2600 and has maybe 5K miles on it. I put a new TOB on at the same time and switched it over to the new transmission when I put it in just maybe 1K miles ago.

Edit: Also, the starter seems to be covered in a moly lube looking substance. Its is a dark grey color. Its not t dirty grey, its supposed to be that color whatever it is and its very thick like a moly lube.

[wortdog]

Not to say that this is what's wrong with yours, but mine made that noise when a TOB locked up and broke the shaft that it rode on.

RPMs dropping when you push the clutch in is never a good sign.

[mark95turbo]

I hate this car. It has run fine since right before cordova and now that I have a date on Sunday Its broken. LOL!

[90GSX]

Have you checked your CV shaft for a tear in the boot? I have one in mine, which threw goo all over my starter. Probably not causing any of your problems, but could be where the lube is coming from. Also maybe a slight hole in your tranny housing could be slinging stuff on it too. Just something to check.

[KOU In3]

I've got like 4 spare starters on the shelf if you need one but if yours is working and things aren't liking going into gear your starter is most likely fine.

But before you just throw a new starter at it you might as well get to the root of the problem.

I know this is probably redundant to things you've already checked but:

Have you checked the fluid level in the tranny?
Fluid level in the clutch fluid resevoir? (I could see a hissing if it was sucking in air or something from being low but doubt the noise would come from the tranny itself.)
Any chance the moly lube is excess grease from when you lubed the shaft and installed the TOB?
Did you have the flywheel correctly restepped when you installed the ACT 2600?

Last car that I heard that type of grating noise on had actual fingers broken off of the pressure plate. and the grrrrr noise was from grooves being quickly ground into the remaining fingers on it. Problem was that was a high mileage non-performance vehicle so it's doubtful that it's the same situation here.

I'd defiantely try to track it down with the tranny on the car before pulling lest you be right back where you started.

I've rarely seen Wortdog to be wrong though when he speaks up so if I was a betting man I'd put my money on his TOB pointer.