Hello, I just picked up a 2004 X-Type 2.5 with the manual transmission. It will not go into any gear when the engine is running.

If you turn it off you can get it into gear. I was able to start the car with the shifter in gear. At that point the clutch engages well without slipping and I was able to drive it onto/off of the trailer. It is just stuck in whatever gear it was in when the car was started. It feels like the clutch isn't fully releasing. With the pedal fully depressed the car will creep forward like an automatic.

Am I stuck dripping the front subframe to replace the clutch/slave cylinder or might there be a simpler fix?

 

It does indeed sound like a problem with the clutch hydraulics. Have you checked the fluid level (it's the same reservoir as the brake fluid)? You may also want to try and bleed the system. If you're really lucky it's just gone soft from sitting a while, though if it's a failing master or slave cylinder it will get worse again fairly quickly. The nipple for bleeding is under the battery tray, you can see it without removing anything but really need the battery tray out of the way to access it. If none of that works it's likely either your clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder. I haven't replaced either on the Jag but cross your fingers it's the master as I believe that's located near the clutch pedal and the jag has one of those unfortunate slaves cylinders inside the bellhousing. Check for leaks, a bad slave will often leak out the bottom of the bell housing.

 

+1 on first checking the clutch hydraulics for leaks/loss of fluid. Try bleeding it as mentioned if the pedal is spongy or does not appear to have any resistance.

If the vehicle has been unused for some time, the clutch driven plate may be stuck to the pressure plate, which requires removing the the engine and gearbox.

Be sure to also check the fluid and operation of the transfer case as they're a known failure point on the X400.