[Waggy]

Hey, Well Just recently I've been having Problems with my 1994 Ford Escort Wagon 5 Speed. 40.1k Miles original Miles on Everything. But just recently, Mostly when it started getting around 30 degrees outside, when my Car is cold, It wont shift. I have to let it warm up for a few minutes, Yesterday I flushed the tranny and put new fluid in. Still does the same thing, Even while moving and being warmed up it will still do it, Won't shift. Unless the Car is at high Rpms. The clutch however isnt slipping, Nor grinding when going into gear, but shifting has been alittle rough, Its deffinately not butter. The clutch pedal feels alittle mushy, But gets pressure back up while shifting at high rpms. I really have no experience when it comes to clutches. Maybe the Cable needs to be adjusted? I have nooo clue.

And, I have no idea if this has anything to do with it. But For example, I can be in first, Mash on it and it will accelerate. While doing that, My clutch has full Pressure, Like it always had, I can barely press it and The Rpms will shoot right up, Because im disengaging the Clutch, Which means that my clutch is working fine. Im quite a newbie when it comes to Clutches. I need advicee!

 

[LOWETGT]

Your clutch is hydraulic and doesn't have cables. You maybe having a clutch master or slave cylinder issue. What fluid did it have/ did you use?
How's clutch pedal end play? It could be out of adjustment.

 

[DangerRanger]

Wacky Clutch

You say your clutch releases fine but is still is making it hard to shift and especially when COLD ( ??? ) Maybe the pilot bearing on the end of the transmission input shaft which supports it in the end of the crankshaft is dragging, either because it is falling apart or just maybe it has some very thick grease in it which makes it very stiff when extra cold. Either way when it is dragging it can be as bad as the clutch not releasing all the way. How is it if you are standing still with it in gear and the clutch pressed in, does that make it warm up and drag less ? Does it make any extra noise when you do that?
One of my cars makes a moaning noise under those conditions but otherwise works fine, I fear the pilot is greaseless and hope it lasts through the winter. The problem with any of this is you have to take the trans off to get at it.

 

[Waggy]

Woa, I have a Hydraulic Clutch? Thought it was cable, When I swapped the Tranny FLuid i used the recommened Dex/Merc I believe its called, I still have the Ford Escort Manual, And thats what it recommended, And i also checked with my local auto shop. But as for Clutch Fluid, I couldnt find a resevoir at all, Soo i just assumed i had a cable. Yeah My clutch release is fine, I think the Clutch might just be out of adjustment, It has been feeling alittle different lately. Alittle More play then usual, And the Pedal gets mushy sometimes. But yeah, The Clutch Doesnt Slip, No excessive Revving, I found out yesterday that, When i disengage the clutch To shift and it wont shift (I Don't Force Anything into Gear, And Never will) I found that pushing the clutch again once or twice, Will make it not only shift into gear but its smoother.

Its just weird, Because sometimes I can jump into my car, Let it warm up alittle like always and take off and shifting is smooth. Then Out of nowhere I wont be able to shift from 2nd to 3rd, So i Pump the clutch a couple of times and it will usually slide right into gear

 

[drewhall07]

or it could be just the stock shifter bushings being really cold and not wantin to move right. lol ive heard of this before, havent really had any probs with it cuz it hardly gets cold here. but yea.

 

[Waggy]

Oohh Thanks For the Tips Guys. And MERRY Xmas To everyone . I hope everybody has a great Day tomorrow.

 

[DangerRanger]

Clutch

Oh ,yeah. It sounds more like just hydraulic clutch parts getting old and cranky. Not necessarily air in the system, but rubber pistons and things that don't always hold full pressure. Sometimes the fluid is more like molasses than brake fluid, that really messes things up.

 

[cklaubur]

Just so you know, the reason you couldn't find the clutch fluid reservoir is because Escorts don't have one. The clutch shares a reservoir with the brake system. That hose sticking out the side of the brake fluid reservoir leads straight into the clutch master cylinder.

Casey