300E 5speed tranny problem

Got in the 300E tonight and put my foot on the clutch noticing that it did not not come back up at me. I thought uh ohh. Further examination revealed that if i pull the pedal back with my hand the spring helps bring it back to it's normal position. But everytime I push the pedal it stays down to the floor. The clutch is not disengagd at either position so it is stuck in gear...my thought is that it's a pin or gear from the pedal to the clucth that is out of place or broken. If this has happended to any one let me know. I'll investigate more tomorrow.

Thanks,

Shaun

[Glen]

Check the fluid level in the brake fluid reservior and then check the line to the clutch slave cylinder. What you describe happened to mine when I bled the clutch and left some air in the system.

[JimSmith]

Shaun,

Sounds like the master or slave cylinder or both are leaking. If the cylinder behind the clutch pedal is leaking you will see it on the rug. If it is the one at the clutch you should see some evidence of leaking on the ground. In any case, it looks like it is time to replace one or both of them. I had this happen when I came home from a long business trip and picked my car up at the airport. Got in and pushed the clutch to the floor and there it stayed. I drove home with no clutch, starting the car in gear and then shifting clutchless. Mostly a highway drive, so I had relatively little shifting and starting in gear, but it can be done (this was on the 1986 190E 2.3-16). When I got home I added some brake fluid and the next day the clutch was slightly functional. Had both cylinders changed and works fine again. Good Luck, Jim

[Jim Anderson]

They could also be leaking past the cylenders not out leaving a puddle.

Thanks! It seems to be the master cylinder.

Shaun