Hard to select gears

hi All

i have a Freelander1, 2.0L, TD4 - 3 door on an 02 plate. Over the last few weeks it's been getting really hard to select gears. The car is now setting off before i lift the pedal when i finally manage to select a gear. For reverse, i now have to switch the engine off, put in reverse and then turn the engine over while keeping the brakes on. When i'm actually driving, there's no clutch slip and it picks up speed like it should. I have a feeling it's the master cylinder? Any thoughts greatly appreciated

dave

Is it loosing clutch fluid?

This does sound like clutch release failure I agree Nodge.

Hope for your sake it is the master. If not it's a gearbox off job to fix the slave.

Everyone complains about the external slave cylinder on the 1.8's, but at least it is accessible!

I'd imagine a leaking slave would result in clutch judder as an early sign as the friction material becomes contaminated with hydraulic fluid?

hi guys

Been told it's the clutch by my local garage. They fitted a new master cylinder and it improved slightly. I also need a new clutch pedal switch but have no idea what that is or what it does. I put it into google and it comes up with nothing so it may have another name.

So, ended up with a whole new clutch including flywheel, master and slave cylinders........costly.
It still bites almost on letting the pedal up even though it has been bled several times over several days. There's also about an inch of play on depressing the pedal. Should i be concerned?