clutch problem !!! great!!!!!!

[JOHN MK3 16V]

only had the car 4 a week and it will not go in gear!!!

the gear changes have been smooth as a babys bum , untill earlyer on today , i have got 2 try and force it into 1st and reverse , it makes that griding sound like it isnt clearin to go in gear , the rest of the gears are not as bad but still hard to get in , not smooth and easy anymore ,

its fine puttin it into gear with the engine off ,   and startin it in gear ,and pulls fine ,bitin point is about 3/4 of the way up .

ive looked for the clutch cable !! does it have one or is it fluid operated?  its on an 2.0 16v mk3 golf


does anyone know what this could be ??

many thanks john 

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

Hi,
MK3 GOLF 2.0L 16Vs HAVE A HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SYSTEM.
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR SLAVE CYLINDER IS AT FAULT.
I HAVE CHANGED QUITE A FEW OF THESE IN THE PAST FOR EXACTLY THE SAME REASON THAT YOU ARE DESCRIBING ( THE SEALS FAIL AND FOR SOME REASON RATHER THAN LEAK OUT FLUID THEY SEEM TO DRAW AIR BACK IN TO THE SYSTEM ALTHOUGH THEY CAN ALSO LEAK AS WELL)
TRY BLEEDING THE SYSTEM TO SEE IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE , IF IT DOES THEN REPLACE THE CYLINDER AS IT UNLIKELY TO LAST FOR LONG BEFORE IT STARTS TO PLAY UP AGAIN.
IT IS A RELATIVELY EASY JOB TO REPLACE  ( 10 - 20 MINS )
HOPE THIS HELPS.

[JOHN MK3 16V]

thats great help mate thanks , have u a pic at all of the cylinder  so i know wot it looks like , this vw stuff is new 2 me  aslo i take it theres a bleed nipel somewhere 2 ye , all i can see is a big bar inwhich does the gears  ans wires 

thanks john

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

Hi ,
    The slave cylinder is situated on top of the gearbox below and behind the cable gear linkage ( if you follow the hydraulic pipe you will find it )  the bleed nipple should be , if I remember, 11mm spanner size ( although some were I think 12 or13mm )
not sure the size of the hose union but you should find  two 13mm bolts that secure the cylinder to the gearbox.
hope this helps 

[JOHN MK3 16V]

done it mate bleeded it a bit and seems fine , if it does it again ill get a new cylinder ,how much are they ?

thanks again john

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

Glad to be of some help .  Not sure how much the cylinders are , though make sure you get one from a reputable source i.e. main dealer etc
cheers , Oliver.

[JOHN MK3 16V]

went out in it tonite and it started doin it agian so i will change that cylinder , at least i know the problem now ! hope so 

thanks john