M20 potential master cylinder isssue but is it?

[dimebag_from_hell]

Towards the end of last year before I stored it, I noticed just all of a sudden it didn't want to take gears. I stored it over winter and just took it out this morning, difficult to take gears but when it does the gearbox almost feels dry if that makes sense.

The gearbox itself is the best I've ever experienced in an e30 so I know it ain't that.

Anyone any ideas?

Cherrs

[Brianmoooore]

If clutch M/C is leaking past the internal seal, the car will gradually start to drive if you sit with it in first gear and the clutch pressed.
If a problem is letting air into the clutch hydraulics, then bleed it and see if you get a temporary cure.
A small quantity of oil leaking onto the clutch can make it stick and fail to disengage properly when the pedal is pushed, or, after storage, rust on the flywheel/pressure plate surface can do the same thing.

[Carmo13]

When my clutch slave cylinder failed, it failed without warning.
Yours could be on the way out.
The "dry" feeling that your are experiencing could just be the fact that the clutch is only partly disengaging causing a slight "crunching" of the gears.
I dont know if there is anyway of telling the difference between a failing M/C or S/C except for physical appearance.

[Brianmoooore]

I dont know if there is anyway of telling the difference between a failing M/C or S/C except for physical appearance.

Very easily. Failing slave dumps fluid into the bell housing, and then through the slot at the bottom, onto the ground. Failing master either leaks inside the cabin or doesn't leak at all.