Mondial 3.2 QV Clutch Partial Engagement

I was a fine morning to take the Mondial out for a spin with a buddy and unfortunately ran into an issue I have not experienced before, the clutch, suddenly and without warning, seemed to be stuck in a position where it was only partially engaged. This happened at an intersection waiting for oncoming traffic to clear with clutch pedal fully depressed before turning left.

When the clutch was let out, the car barely crept forward and once through the intersection we pulled over and parked the car to investigate.

Clutch pedal felt normal, reservoir fluid levels normal and no sign of leaks under the vehicle. Could easily shift the car between gears but every time the pedal was let up to engage the clutch, only slight power was transmitted to the wheels and not enough to move it. Could also hear some slight rotational noise from inside the car but nothing that sounded catastrophic.

Let it cool for a bit, tried again but no joy. Called a neighbor and towed the car a short distance home. When home, tested the clutch again and low and behold, it worked normally.

My buddy suspects the throwout bearing. I agree in that the bearing itself is rotating as it should by somehow became bound between the bearing housing and transmission input guide sleeve.

Am I on the right track?

 

My bad. US spec 86 3.2 QV w/49K mi. Flywheel resurfaced, clutch disk, pressure plate, release bearing replaced by previous owner at 35.3K.

Vehicle has not exhibited any usual signs of worn out clutch disk, ie clutch slippage. Tested for slippage after getting car home and it was gripping tight.

 

Thanks Alden,

The clutch has never been abused in my ownership. So if I focus on hydraulics, as far as I know most failures there lead to clutches that do not disengage; air in lines, leaky seals and the like.

For the system to not fully engage, then something has to hang up, not allowing the throw-out bearing to fully retract.

In that scenario, it seems the likely culprit might be at the slave cylinder given that the pedal feel was unchanged before, during and after the episode.

Have you ever run across an instance where the slave or master for that matter were binding?

Brock