Hyundai Repair: Hyundai Terracan Clutch Problem, hyundai terracan, clutch master

Question
Hi, I drive a 2004 Hyundai Terracan 2.9 CRDI.  Lately I have had difficulty in changing gears.  It's very tight going into and sometimes out of a gear.  I have had two incidents where I couldn't get into another gear and had to switch the car off, put it into 1st gear and then switch it on again.  What can be the problem?

Answer
If you can shift with the engine off while the vehicle is not moving, it's possible your clutch hydraulic fluid is low.  Start by checking this.  If low, check the clutch master and release cylinders for leakage.  The master cylinder typically leaks inside the vehicle at the pushrod, and the release cylinder typically leaks into the rubber boot at the end of the cylinder.  Repair any leaks and add fluid and bleed the system until all air is removed.

If the fluid is full, you most likely have a problem with the clutch coming apart and pieces getting caught in the pressure plate.  In this case, the clutch and pressure plate would need to be replaced.  This will be quite expensive, so I wouldn't recommend embarking on this without having a competent shop verify this with actual diagnosis.