I appreciate the time taken to reply I will order the wrench as it seems I might need it in the future, I will persevere with trying to loosen clutch release, I will also change the fluid anyway every little helps apparently.
Thanks

If the clutch arm is very stiff, or seizing, then the bracket that holds the clutch slave can get distorted or break, which then alters length of movement, which can the problem you describe, clutch pedal to the floor, before it releases.

Is it just me or is anyone else reading this thread and wondering how the fck changing the gearbox oil is going to help non-functioning clutch hydraulics?

Seriously....think about the sequence of events here.....
-clutch pedal was heavy.
-replaced master and slave
- now cant engage gears at all.

The problem isnt the gearbox oil - I promise you that.

freelance said:

If the clutch arm is very stiff, or seizing, then the bracket that holds the clutch slave can get distorted or break, which then alters length of movement, which can the problem you describe, clutch pedal to the floor, before it releases.

Click to expand...

I should have said I changed the bracket when fitting new slave. Thanks

I presume you have fitted it all ok putting back onto the peddle one word of warning those 1800cc petrol clutch slave and master should not be opened they are seal or so it says before I fitted one to the wife's car I hung it up with the slave up in the air just in case for a hour ,the mechanism on those do get very hard so go over the couplings and lubricate them hope this helps.

dave21478 said:

Is it just me or is anyone else reading this thread and wondering how the fck changing the gearbox oil is going to help non-functioning clutch hydraulics?

Seriously....think about the sequence of events here.....
-clutch pedal was heavy.
-replaced master and slave
- now cant engage gears at all.

The problem isnt the gearbox oil - I promise you that.

Click to expand...

Dave, You make a very good point.......
Heavy clutch - new hydraulics.....
I would consider jumping in at the deep-end and rip the g/box out to ensure forks / thrust races / pressure plates etc. are all ok.

No.
Use your logic, man.

It was heavy. He replaced the hydraulics, it now doesnt work at all.

Unless he has forgotten to mention something important or is telling porkies, then the most recent problem is with the hydraulics or their mounting. I Guarantee it.
Either the master cylinder is faulty, not mounted properly, the slave cylinder is faulty, not mounted properly or there is air in the system.

If the hydraulics all worked as they should, he would have a working car, MAYBE with a heavy clutch pedal.
The clutch lever will not have seized up in the time it took him to fit the new system - everything else is as it was before, the hydraulics are the only thing different therefor the fault MUST be with what he has just done.

The initial problem of the heavy clutch - yes it could be a partly seized release arm or a failing pressure plate but until he eliminates the current problem there is no point in speculating as it could also have been down to a weak slave cylinder or bent mounting bracket.

yes.... you have a valid point....

Hmmm... Were the replacement parts genuine parts..... could be a poor quality slave cylinder.. - and how "mangled" was the slave cylinder which came off the car? (or why was it mangled) - if bent.... it could explain the heavy clutch...
but... now.... I'm thinking along the lines of poor quality products and the plungers / seals are allowing fluid to pass by in a not very helpful - non actuating clutch kind of way!