Probably the clutch ...

.... but I'd like to confirm it if possible.

I have a 1992 Saturn SL2 with 140,000 miles. The symptoms are:

- It has recently seemed to be slipping - the RPMs go way higher as it
starts, there is virtually no "slipping of the clutch" as part of the
process to get started

- Finally, with the engine on, gear selection is rough, but can be
made; but the car does nothing when the clutch is let out - no lurch,
no nothing; engine runs on fine

- With the engine off, it can be pushed with, clutch in, in gear, with
no sense of engine compression.

Is there ANY chance at all that a failure of the hydraulic master/
slave linkage could cause this? I don't see how, but am just
wishing...

Thx,

Thomas.

 

Oops... about that last bullet, that's with the clutch OUT - the pedal
not pressed - but the gear selector in gear, that there's no difficult
rolling the car...

 

Sounds like the clutch itself is shot to me.
If th erpms rev up, there has to be slipping somewhere, and if you have
the car in gear and are not dpressnig the clutch and still can roll the
vehicle something is not fully engaged, unless your motor has zero
compression.

But I am no mechanic <s>