Posted by David Sherman on Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 9:29PM :
In Reply to: Transmission slipping posted by Matthew - Nebraska on Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 9:15PM :
Is there any way you can see the thickness of the clutch lining by taking the bottom cover off? I don't remember just how it's set up. I would take the bottom cover off the clutch housing and try to see what's in there. If lots of oil runs out, that's your first clue. If the lining is good and thick, and oil runs out, it's pretty surely the oil. I've had success temporarily cleaning off an oily clutch by having somebody work the clutch in and out with the tranny in neutral, while I lay underneath and spray a full can of brake cleaner onto the lining or as close as I can get. Goggles are a good idea.
If it doesn't look like much oil in there (a couple drops is okay), either the lining is worn out or the springs got broken or weak. As long as there's free play in the linkage, it should be engaging as tight as it can. Either way, you'll need to pull the tranny and fix the clutch. If the rear main leaked and got it soaked with oil, it will never be the same again even if you clean it pretty well with brake cleaner. When the clutch is out, you can do the rear main and check the clutch springs.