clutch problem :(

kez

kez

Jan 29, 2007
1,014
0
Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
went to start the car this morning, however was unable to select a gear.

the clutch pedal just drops to the floor, and has to be pulled back up.

if i switch the ignition off, i can force it into a gear, but can't while the engine's running. if i do this, the bite point is pretty much at the floor. ie as soon as i start to lift it, the car moves

any ideas?

i've noticed the carpet is wet under the pedal, but not sure if that's just the door leaking, as i think that needs fixing too

HELP!!!
 
yeah i can't really tell lol :(

the mat is really quite wet though, and i suspect it has come from the pedal area, rather than the door

what does that mean??

i've noticed it being wet for a while now, but the car drove fine, hence why i'm not sure if it is clutch fluid.

i just know it's gonna cost a wedge :(
 
Clutch and brakes share the same reservoir, back of the engine bay, lefthand side, has a yellow cap. Check the fluid level, but I expect that you've lost it all through a failed master cylinder back seal.

This happened to me after the clutch pedal failed on my old Ibiza - the little spot-welded box on the pedal failed at the weld and allowed the master cylinder pushrod to ping through, breaking the white plastic clip in two and resulting in clutch failure. The force of the master cylinder piston pinging back was enough to cause the back seal to fail, leaking hydraulic fluid into the footwell.

The clutch fails first as hydraulic fluid leaks out, it takes its feed from higher in the reservoir. Failed clutch is safer than failed brakes :)

Hydraulic fluid will feel very slippery if you touch the wet patch then rub fingers together. Be ready to wash it off straight away, it's not good for your skin :( If it is hydraulic fluid you will also want to clean it out of your carpets and the footwell, it'll be attacking the paint.
 
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aww jeez. i'll take a look when i get back home.

if it is the master cylinder, how much am i looking at to get it fixed?

is it much work to do? is it worth doing anything else at the same time. i have engine mounts to go on :)

also, i assume the clutch itself will be ok, or is it an excuse to get a new one of them, too? ;)

thinking about it, i suspect it is brake fluid on the mats as it felt a little 'greasy' :(
 
Dealer fix is to fit a new master cylinder, as if the back seal has gone the others are probably on their way. I don't think the new part is too expensive (I seem to remember about £50 but it is a few years ago). If you're ok with diy it is something you can tackle yourself - access is a bit difficult but the fitting is straightforward. I'd guess 1-2 hours dealer labour tops.

Pull the footwell carpet back and make sure which cylinder is leaking - it just might be the brake cylinder.

You can still drive the car if you have to, just keep adding hydraulic fluid and accept the fact that you're losing most of it to the footwell. Check your shoes before you go indoors or you'll add new carpets to the bill.
 
cheers for the tips. i'll go home and take a look and post some pics.

what do i top it up with, and where? i have some motul bf600 that i got from badger5 bill it's not what's currently in there. i'm clueless at this sort of thing :(

lol @ the house carpets too. luckily, i have tiles ;)
 
The brake/clutch reservoir is on the back bulkhead of the engine compartment, above the pedal box, and has a yellow screw-top lid with an electrical connector on it (for the fluid level warning float)

Hold on, I have some pics that I used in an earlier thread about getting those connectors undone...

Okay, heres an annotated underbonnet view. The brake/clutch reservoir is out of sight behind the EGR valve and the intake pipe, about where the number "18" is on the photo.


And here's a close-up of the reservoir top
 
I had to google Motul before I could answer. RBF600 is a high-performance synthetic polyglycol based fluid (he says quoting from the site) as well as expensive, and Motul recommends NOT mixing it with mineral or silicon based fluids. If you don't know what's in there, I'd assume a generic mineral-based fluid, so you shouldn't mix it. Get some dirt cheap Halfords stuff, or supermarket if you have one that does car stuff. It's only going to end up on the carpet in a few days anyway :)

If and when you do change to RBF600 you will need to flush the system completely, bleeding through all four brakes and the clutch system until you are sure that the previous fluid is completely out. Is the Motul a distinctive colour, so that you can tell?
 
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Um - That's a TDI 110 underbonnet pic, by the way. Your engine will look a bit different, but the location of the brake fluid reservoir should be the same :)
 
Any news, Kez? Curious as to how you've got on, if you found the brake fluid filler ok, and if it turned out to be the clutch cylinder after all?
 
AA came out bled the system and topped up the fluid. they couldn't see any signs of a leak, and the fluid in the footwell was definitely water. there nothing on the drive where the car's been stood for a few days.

it's still doing it though :( i've checked the fluid and it's right at the top :confused:

oh and rik -> :p
 
It will be master cylinder my dear
Common failure
If you pull the pedal up , it will be Ok for a while.....
Master cylinder
They are not expensive no , I thought more £35 ish + VAT
IIRC not a big job either
Get it checked before you get one though , as believe it or not , I have been known to be wrong before

Oooh and no , dont mix different fluids,,,,,
Sarah
 
ta luv :)

dunno where it's leaking to though, as the fluid level's not dropping. nor is there any fluid inside or outside the car (unless it's somewhere i cant see it)

i might give you a call tomorrow to see if you can take it in to be looked at, plus the fitting of the other bits :)
 
Deffo the clutch master cylinder. Mine has gone 3 times in two years, first time was replaced by garage with genuine VW parts, cost be about £180, although they did say it was a pig of a job to do as they are working inside the car and the engine bay at the same time. Has gone twice since which SEAT have had to pick up the bill for. Apparently it is all caused because the piston inside is plastic and can distort with use and pressure. Crap huh. Once it starts, it will not go away, get it to the garage while you still can.

Matt
 
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