MK1 VR6 Clutch Not Disengaging issues

Post Reply
ExtremeGTi
Cadet
Posts: 405
Registered for: 15 years 4 months

MK1 VR6 Clutch Not Disengaging issues

Post by ExtremeGTi »

hi guys

its been a very long while since i posted here but im in abit of a jam and Not finding a Solution

So few months back, I visited an Auction for a "citi" golf and to my suprize, i saw it was a Mk1 2door GOlf..
When i saw this golf, I immediately recognized the car and knew it had a VR6 Engine in it...

So i proceeded to bid and i won the car..

Aside from the management and other stuff missing, the main issue i noticed was that this car struggled to get gears...
Even with the car off, it refused to go into Gears.
Also noticed there was NO clutch pressure...

So i tried to Bleed the Clutch and This did not help... So i replaced the Clutch Slave Cyl on the gearbox...
NOw i was able to Bleed the system and Was able to build Pressure... As soon as i started the car, i could Feel the clutch lose pressure.
Further investigation, the Clutch Master Cyl was leaking... Replaced that one.

Now the car Builds Pressure and Holds Pressure after being started...

So i tried to drive the car but the clutch was not Disengaging and the Gears was very hard to get into Gear...

Thinking its the Clutch and pressure plate, Removed the gearbox and to my surprise, a Brand new Clutch and pressure plate in it.. Not even 10Km wear on it...

So i sent the gearbox away for a full rebuild... It was not getting gears and the Centre Shaft was not spinning...
the gearbox guy checked and all the gears were worn on this gearbox.
He replaced all the worn gears and the box was now getting gears and the centr shaft spinning..

Proceeded to install in the car, Bled the clutch and IM SITTING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!!!!!

Car will start, you can Push CLutch in but when trying to Shift gears, its like the clutch is not disEngaging All the way
There is a Brand new fork/Release bearing on the gearbox too...

Anyone experience these issues with their Vr6 before???

I was told that the CLutch slave Cylinder bolts may be too long and is causing this issue/... how is that Possible?? struggling to understanding this..

Any guidance please??

Tech info:

Stock 2.8Vr6 engine
Stock/Brand new Valeo Clutch and pressure plate from Agents
Stock Vr6 5speed gearbox

Any assistance would be appreciated
Last edited by ExtremeGTi on Thu Nov 01, 2018 4:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Old School. Like a boss

Rides. Past/Present :
-------------
2001 E46 330i Touring >> Daily/Project <<
1975 Vw Passat LS Coupe >> Project 8V <<
1999 Honda Ballade 150i >> SOLD <<
2002 E46 320i F/L >> SOLD <<
2005 Vw Velocity 1.4 >> SOLD <<
1981 Audi 80 Series >> SOLD <<
1981 Golf GTi >> 2.0l 8v << - >> SOLD <<
1991 Honda Dohc >> B20b << - >> SOLD <<
ExtremeGTi
Cadet
Posts: 405
Registered for: 15 years 4 months

Re: MK1 VR6 Clutch Not engaging issues

Post by ExtremeGTi »

Just some more info:

If i Put my Clutch all the way in, and swing to start the car, The car jumps Forward like clutch is not engaged..

I have no idea what more to do...
Old School. Like a boss

Rides. Past/Present :
-------------
2001 E46 330i Touring >> Daily/Project <<
1975 Vw Passat LS Coupe >> Project 8V <<
1999 Honda Ballade 150i >> SOLD <<
2002 E46 320i F/L >> SOLD <<
2005 Vw Velocity 1.4 >> SOLD <<
1981 Audi 80 Series >> SOLD <<
1981 Golf GTi >> 2.0l 8v << - >> SOLD <<
1991 Honda Dohc >> B20b << - >> SOLD <<
User avatar
Jetta2
Field Marshal
Posts: 14929
Registered for: 17 years 3 months
Car Make: VW, VW, Aprilia
Car Model: Mk3 Golf VR6, Mk4 Caddy, RSV4
Membership No: 1087
Location: Menlo Park, Pretoria

Re: MK1 VR6 Clutch Not engaging issues

Post by Jetta2 »

What does the clutch fork look like? When we got our VR, it had a similar issue. Clutch fork was tearing and was bent (it would not push the release bearing fully to disengage the clutch). Replaced it with one from GW and never had an issue again.
Ryan Demoser

1996 Mk3 Golf VR6
2017 Caddy Maxi Crew Bus 2.0 TDI
2013 Aprilia RSV4 track toy
2021 Aprilia RS660 road bike
VAG Fan
Lieutenant
Posts: 1440
Registered for: 8 years
Location: Pretoria

Re: MK1 VR6 Clutch Not engaging issues

Post by VAG Fan »

ExtremeGTi wrote: Fri Aug 31, 2018 11:27 am Just some more info:

If i Put my Clutch all the way in, and swing to start the car, The car jumps Forward like clutch is not engaged..

I have no idea what more to do...
Just for clarity:
The clutch is engaged (power is transmitted) by releasing the pedal, and disengaged (power transmission is interrupted) by pressing the pedal.

For the rest, it sounds as though Jetta2 has identified your problem.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: MK1 VR6 Clutch Not engaging issues

Post by panic-mechanic »

yes you have an issue with either the stroke length - so either the master is wrong or the salve is wrong or the arm in the box is wrong / broken. I suspect the master is not giving you enough volume. Find out what master was used and compare it's size to a stock VR one. Also see how much stroke the pedal is providing to the master.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
ExtremeGTi
Cadet
Posts: 405
Registered for: 15 years 4 months

Re: MK1 VR6 Clutch Not engaging issues

Post by ExtremeGTi »

Jetta2 wrote: Fri Aug 31, 2018 2:19 pm What does the clutch fork look like? When we got our VR, it had a similar issue. Clutch fork was tearing and was bent (it would not push the release bearing fully to disengage the clutch). Replaced it with one from GW and never had an issue again.

Ai yai yai.. LOL... thats what i meant yes
Old School. Like a boss

Rides. Past/Present :
-------------
2001 E46 330i Touring >> Daily/Project <<
1975 Vw Passat LS Coupe >> Project 8V <<
1999 Honda Ballade 150i >> SOLD <<
2002 E46 320i F/L >> SOLD <<
2005 Vw Velocity 1.4 >> SOLD <<
1981 Audi 80 Series >> SOLD <<
1981 Golf GTi >> 2.0l 8v << - >> SOLD <<
1991 Honda Dohc >> B20b << - >> SOLD <<
ExtremeGTi
Cadet
Posts: 405
Registered for: 15 years 4 months

Re: MK1 VR6 Clutch Not engaging issues

Post by ExtremeGTi »

Jetta2 wrote: Fri Aug 31, 2018 2:19 pm What does the clutch fork look like? When we got our VR, it had a similar issue. Clutch fork was tearing and was bent (it would not push the release bearing fully to disengage the clutch). Replaced it with one from GW and never had an issue again.
Thats some Good advice

bare in mind, the Gearbox was completely redone with fork

Im dreading removing the gearbox for the 4th time ( Though im good at it now.. LOL )
Old School. Like a boss

Rides. Past/Present :
-------------
2001 E46 330i Touring >> Daily/Project <<
1975 Vw Passat LS Coupe >> Project 8V <<
1999 Honda Ballade 150i >> SOLD <<
2002 E46 320i F/L >> SOLD <<
2005 Vw Velocity 1.4 >> SOLD <<
1981 Audi 80 Series >> SOLD <<
1981 Golf GTi >> 2.0l 8v << - >> SOLD <<
1991 Honda Dohc >> B20b << - >> SOLD <<
ExtremeGTi
Cadet
Posts: 405
Registered for: 15 years 4 months

Re: MK1 VR6 Clutch Not engaging issues

Post by ExtremeGTi »

panic-mechanic wrote: Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:51 pm yes you have an issue with either the stroke length - so either the master is wrong or the salve is wrong or the arm in the box is wrong / broken. I suspect the master is not giving you enough volume. Find out what master was used and compare it's size to a stock VR one. Also see how much stroke the pedal is providing to the master.
Hi

Before i make a Donkie out of myself,

Master - Clutch pedal side
Slave - Gearbox side
is this correct?? lol

Gearbox Slave was replaced with one from goldwagen.
The master is the questionable one...

the Builder of this car used one from the "INYATI" taxi vans... The one that was on there was Leaking fluids so i replaced it with the same...

but the issue remains.. Since my first post, i removed the Valeo Clutch/Pressureplate and Flywheel and sent it to get tested...

The pressure plate was Warped so i bought a New LUK clutch kit by Goldwagen and installed... GUESS WHAT!!! ISSUE REMAINS!!!!

So im only left with a pressure related issue where its not building enough pressure...

Note to myself - NEVER BUY OTHERS HEADACHES... Thwt it would be a Fun toy... Turned out to be a money pit

Thankfully got it cheap

Thanks for the advise... will compare to the VR6 Master. Might just get the VR master and Pedal and try to get that fitted somehow...
Old School. Like a boss

Rides. Past/Present :
-------------
2001 E46 330i Touring >> Daily/Project <<
1975 Vw Passat LS Coupe >> Project 8V <<
1999 Honda Ballade 150i >> SOLD <<
2002 E46 320i F/L >> SOLD <<
2005 Vw Velocity 1.4 >> SOLD <<
1981 Audi 80 Series >> SOLD <<
1981 Golf GTi >> 2.0l 8v << - >> SOLD <<
1991 Honda Dohc >> B20b << - >> SOLD <<
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: MK1 VR6 Clutch Not Disengaging issues

Post by panic-mechanic »

Again. Yes master is the pedal side.
You have not got enough stroke or volume to move the slave far enough to disengage.
Sobthe master cylinder is not moving enough fluid to extend the slave far enough.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
ExtremeGTi
Cadet
Posts: 405
Registered for: 15 years 4 months

Re: MK1 VR6 Clutch Not Disengaging issues

Post by ExtremeGTi »

to update this Post.

Got the issue sorted out!!!!

So i gave up and towed the car to MRP ( Waanie Phillips )

He Extended the Pin on the Slave Cyl Side
Could get CLutch but gears still grinding... But progress

He removed everything again and Found the Flywheel was out of Spec..

Had it skeemed and ITS WORKING 100%

Car drives perfectly now...

Thanks to all who responded
Old School. Like a boss

Rides. Past/Present :
-------------
2001 E46 330i Touring >> Daily/Project <<
1975 Vw Passat LS Coupe >> Project 8V <<
1999 Honda Ballade 150i >> SOLD <<
2002 E46 320i F/L >> SOLD <<
2005 Vw Velocity 1.4 >> SOLD <<
1981 Audi 80 Series >> SOLD <<
1981 Golf GTi >> 2.0l 8v << - >> SOLD <<
1991 Honda Dohc >> B20b << - >> SOLD <<
User avatar
amstel18
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4834
Registered for: 16 years 3 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Tiguan Allspace
Membership No: missing
Location: Brackenfell, Cape Town

Re: MK1 VR6 Clutch Not Disengaging issues

Post by amstel18 »

well talk about buying a lucky packet. Even if it's a money pit, it's a nice surprise you found yourself there.

Post some pics or create a rides thread?
Current:
2022 GWM P-Series LT 4x4
Ex:
2018 VW Tiguan Allspace
2013 Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI S-Tronic
2015 Pure White 1.2tsi Comfortline
2011 2L BiTdi ROK D/C Highline
2006 Seat Ibiza Cupra TDI
91 Caddy, ADY motor on mp9, wildcat 4-1 branch and 50mm Evolution s/s exhaust
96 1600 Chico (sold)
Post Reply