Unsticking stuck clutches

[Jay Mackro <jmackro@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 08:56 PM 2/18/99 -0500, someone proposed the following procedure
for unsticking stuck clutches:
>
>>> 1. Start car in neutral, let it warm up a bit, turn it off. Then put it in
>>> gear (choose right gear to suit layout of garage!) and start the car while
>>> in gear: it should shake 
>>> and buck and hopefully the clutch will free as it starts to move.

Yup, this is all correct.  And, not that any "Alfa Digest" reader
wouldn't figure it out...but, the procedure failed to mention that
the clutch pedal needs to be depressed when the engine is started
with the car in gear. 

Sometimes, especially with a light car like an Alfa, the clutch disk
is bonded to the flywheel/pressure plate tightly enough to propel
the car just fine (ie, it doesn't come unstuck right away).  It's
sort of hairy, but in these cases, you can drive the car for a
bit, ideally up a hill, alternating between mashing the throttle,
and jabbing the brakes, all with the clutch pedal depressed.  Be
ready to turn off the ignition if you need to stop!

If you store your car for the winter, especially in a place that's
a bit damp, this clutch sticking seems to occur.  Best way to
prevent it is to fire up the car every month or so, and use the 
clutch to rock it back and forth.

Jay Mackro

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