clutch problems
 

i have a 96 honda prelude with almost 140k on it. i have ownd it since
70k and have never replaced the clutch or any part of the transmission
in general. i dont drive it ultra hard but i probably put more strain
than average on it.

about two years ago i started getting a problem with the clutch giving
very little resistance and tough to move the shifter into gear. the
problem would go away if i pumped the clutch several times before
started the car. i had my local mechanic take a look and he said that
it was the master cylinder leak but it was a very small leak and if i
added fluid every every few months i would be fine. sure enough, the
fluid was low and i added some fluid religiously anytime i noticed it
got a bit lower and it has never failed me.

about a week ago i started getting an intermittent problem which has
become much more consistent witin the week.... where i was not able to
shift into first gear at all. the clutch completly down- i would start
to move the shifter into 1st but no luck- on top of that as i pushed
the shifter towards where 1st is, i could feel the car alreazdy
catching and moving forward even though i had the clutch all the way
down. if i started the while car in 1st with the clutch down, it would
start catchiong and moving forward even though the clutch was all the
way down. if i am on a bit of an incline at this point its even starts
stalling a bit since im not giving it any gas (almost as if if i had a
couple more inches to go on the clutch pedal- all would make sense, but
this is not the case).

i have read some newgroups already with many suggestions- i should
point out that
A) its not the floor mat
B) i dont think any air has ever gotten in during my 'add a bit of
fluid' time
C) im not sure how long clutches last but this one is atleast 70k old
if not all 140k

Also- when i am driving on the street/highway (after being forced into
starting in 2nd gear by using more force that i would ever wish upon
anybody to use on their shifter), i can rather easily shift from gear
to gear ONLY if i revmatch. if give a bit of force, when shifting from
3 to 4 for example from, against where 4th gear is and only when i
bring the tach to the proper RPM will it let the shifter move into
place (rather harshly though)

my findings so far (thanks groups) have been that it is the clutch
master cylinder that needs to be replaced.

if this is the case (or whatever the case may be)- is this something i
can do myself (or with a buddy pressing the pedal when needed) and
whats involved. otherwise... anybody know a local place in chicagoland
area that decent- i prefer mom/pop shops.