I bought a 1987 rx-7 se. It has a new engine and a new clutch.
The problem is, after i drove it home, and was about to go do some shopping, i stopped at a stop sign. and then the engine died on me. i am able to put in gear while the engine is off, but once i get the engine running, the gears won't go in, like the clutch isn't engaging.
It seems the clutch engages while the engine is off, and when the gear is in neutral.
I put it in 1st gear with the engine off, and try to start it up, it starts jerking as if the clutch isn't pushed in, but indeed i have it in all the way.
Maybe the guy that replaced the clutch did something wrong?
this is my first FC, and do not know much about these cars. Is there something i can do to fix this? or am i better off taking it to the shop?
please help...

 

welcome to the board.

a similar scenario played out with me a few years ago. i went out of town a few months after changing my clutch and it just wouldn't go into gear at a red light. shut the engine down and started it in gear to limp it into a parking lot and examine it.

anyway, based on my experience, i'd say check your hydraulics first, but to me, it sounds like it could be your pilot bearing. if it is indeed the pilot bearing, it's not really THAT hard to do it with the right tools, but it is a colossal pain in the ***! if you're not mechanically inclined, then take it to a competent and reliable shop.

 

Check your hydraulics.

It might be low on fluid so check your master cylinder, slave cylinder, and lines for a leak.

Or

It just needs to be bled.

 

we just bleed it through, but it didn't do a thing...
We are talking about just taking it to a shop and having the master cylinder, pilot bearing, and hydraulics replaced like every one has been recommending.
I have two questions, one is that does any one have an estimate of how much it'll cost to replace the three above and/or if there are any other parts that have to do with the clutch that we should just get replaced while we're there?, and two is that where is this "hydraulic" located, and what exactly is it doing?

 

hydraulics just refers to the fact that it is fluid-operated. it's not a "part" called "hydraulics".

go ahead and replace it all if you can afford to do so. you should be able to get all the parts (master cylinder, slave cylinder, pilot bearing and brake fluid) at your local chain auto parts stores. labor will entirely depend on who and where you take it. the hydraulics stuff can be a tad time-consuming, but is no big deal. however, the pilot bearing requires the transmission and engine to be separated and also a special bearing puller (or ingenious substitute), so that will likely take some time.

 

The master cylinder or slave cylinder may be bad. I doubt it is the clutch or pilot bearing since the clutch is new.

 

same thing happened to me. pilot bearing exploded