intermittent sticky clutch -Master or Slave????

[FRESHMODE]

Hi all, SLAVE or master cylinder??? recently I've been having some issues with the clutch. Mainly from cold start, clutch bites almost instantly in 1st and reverse and then gradually returns to normal within about 5 mins driving.

The pedal is not staying on the floor and neither do i need to lift it up with my toe, its just a bit sticky. I have experienced this before once or twice over the last year but dismissed it thinking it was catching on the car mat

I'm assuming something is on its way out, any suggestions at all?

I hav'nt checked the clutch fluid yet, (not really sure where that is)

cheers

 

[sockpuppet]

Have you had the brake fluid changed? This is supposed to be done every 60000 miles or 2 years.
The clutch shares the fluid with the brakes, so this may help.

I had a similar issue with my car, it started when I tried to get it into 1st gear and it wouldn't go in. I released the clutch put the clutch pedal back down and it was fine. For the next 50000 miles (Not a mis-type) I had intermittent problems with the clutch.

In the end it got less intermittent and the clutch would sometimes be biting when I had the pedal fully to the floor and other times it would bite about 3/5 of the way up. In that time I had 2 brake fluid changes and bleed the clutch fluid 3 times.

In the end I had the slave cylinder changed (Inside the gearbox) and also had the clutch done as the gearbox was off and there was labour charge for fitting the clutch. This fixed it for me.

 

[FRESHMODE]

Have you had the brake fluid changed? This is supposed to be done every 60000 miles or 2 years.
The clutch shares the fluid with the brakes, so this may help.

I had a similar issue with my car, it started when I tried to get it into 1st gear and it wouldn't go in. I released the clutch put the clutch pedal back down and it was fine. For the next 50000 miles (Not a mis-type) I had intermittent problems with the clutch.

In the end it got less intermittent and the clutch would sometimes be biting when I had the pedal fully to the floor and other times it would bite about 3/5 of the way up. In that time I had 2 brake fluid changes and bleed the clutch fluid 3 times.

In the end I had the slave cylinder changed (Inside the gearbox) and also had the clutch done as the gearbox was off and there was labour charge for fitting the clutch. This fixed it for me.

thanks for the quick response mate, 50000 miles of clutch issues, fair one thats a while!

I have a service/mot due next month so will get them to change fluid then. How much did it cost you to replace clutch/cylinder + labour just out of interest?

I've also had somebody suggest the clutch cable could need tightening? this woud'nt explain why its intermittent though surely

 

[Muttley]

Clutch is hydraulic. That's why you're going to change the fluid. If it were a cable clutch, changing the hydraulic fluid wouldn't help at all.

 

[sockpuppet]

Are you sitting down? £716.32p

Slave cylinder was about £40, Brake fluid about £7, Clutch & Dual Mass FlyWheel about £300 and the rest was labour & Vat.

Clutch was optional, but as I had done 107000 miles it was an easy decision.

 

[FRESHMODE]

So are we thinking its the SLAVE cyclinder and that my intermittent problem will get worse until I can't change gear!?

If so how long have i got!? lol

I have just finished paying for repairs after ruining my rear axle beam and front hub/shock and bearing housing!

thanks for your advice though, much appreciated

 

[FRESHMODE]

Clutch & Dual Mass FlyWheel about £300!!!!!!!!!!????????? any need?

excuse the ignorance

 

[sockpuppet]

Clutch & Dual Mass FlyWheel about £300!!!!!!!!!!????????? any need?

excuse the ignorance

If the clutch needs replacing it's about 5 hours labour as the gearbox has to be removed from the engine to get to it (The exact same as changing the slave cylinder)

It's one of those decisions you have to make, I had done 107000 miles and maybe the clutch might have lasted till 150000? If you have done low milage like 20000 then it's not worth changing the clutch.

If it is the slave cylinder then it will probably get worse over time, I drove about for 2 1/2 years with it gradually getting more frequent.

 

[FRESHMODE]

If the clutch needs replacing it's about 5 hours labour as the gearbox has to be removed from the engine to get to it (The exact same as changing the slave cylinder)

It's one of those decisions you have to make, I had done 107000 miles and maybe the clutch might have lasted till 150000? If you have done low milage like 20000 then it's not worth changing the clutch.

If it is the slave cylinder then it will probably get worse over time, I drove about for 2 1/2 years with it gradually getting more frequent.

I probably would change the clutch at the same time as i've done 97000

2 1/2 years eh! ok I hope to last til next month! - savings gone.........again!

By the sounds of it, (still waiting to see if anyone has/had same issue (and after reading various threads on here)), its more than likely the slave cylinder than the master then

thanks again

 

[FRESHMODE]

ok, cold morning, clutch now stuck to the floor, lifted it up with toe and then it worked fine but with bit of play in pedal/quick bite point

oh dear! Its getting worse

Slave or Matser anyone!!!!!!!!????????/

 

[buzbi]

Alright there chap, I have the exact same problem with mine, I have already replaced the master as the rod was bent but still got the intermittent low pedal. so I'm going to do the slave tomorrow

 

[FRESHMODE]

Alright there chap, I have the exact same problem with mine, I have already replaced the master as the rod was bent but still got the intermittent low pedal. so I'm going to do the slave tomorrow

dude, you feel the same pain!

Have you got it in the garage? if so how much is reasonable amount to expect do you think? where you ordered parts from?

I've been researching a lot on this and although i'm anxious to get the car properly diagnosed by my local dealer/specialist, i'm more inclined to believe its the Slave Cylinder and am just hesitating now whether to make the leap forward and just get it done!? Its just such a costly decision

I've got no leaks in the footwell and nothing has snapped. After couple of days of intermittent stickyness, today was the first time I couldnt initially change gear (until I lifted pedal up with my toe to get hydraulics working again) you get the same?

judging by the fact you had a bent rod, did you snap the white clip attached to the pedal?

keep me posted mate

 

[FRESHMODE]

Right, managed to bleed the clutch a little yesterday, bit of air in there. How its got in there am not sure. If there was a leaking hose; a) it certainly wasn't visible from around the master cylinder b) brake/clutch fluid level near maximum so still not sure if it is Slave cyclinder on way out. Would be expensive option to check!

Clutch now working fine anyway, but for how long...........?