Whats wrong with this clutch?

NightShadow · 15 May 2009 at 14:03

Have a bit of an issue with the clutch in my dad's car and as I will be borrowing it for a long trip it needs sorting. The car is a 2000 Seat Leon 1.6 with 150K miles and has a hydraulic clutch.

The problem is that the clutch biting point seems to be at the top of the pedals travel so you foot is almost off of the clutch when you are trying to pull away and it can be very hard to get into 1st gear (others are fine once moving). I though it could be the clutch on the way out but have never driven a car with a dodgy clutch before to know from experience. I have tested it in 5th at 30th and flooring it and on A roads and it doesn't seem to slip at all. The only other thing is that the slightest bit of pressure on the pedal causes the clutch to slip. Is it simply due a replacement clutch or is there somthing else wrong?

Shadez · 15 May 2009 at 14:05

check the fluid level, could just need topping up.

Vigoro · 15 May 2009 at 14:08

Sounds a bit like what my clio was like a couple of weeks back....just before the clutch gave up on me

B@Th*nG · 15 May 2009 at 14:11

probably the clutch slave cylinder, it doesn't sound like the plate is worn or anything like that.

B@

Thomas. PLease. · 15 May 2009 at 14:11

Yeh i would have thought that, but strange that its not slipping in 5th.

Will Gill · 15 May 2009 at 14:12

i concur with shadez, check fluid levels had similar in my scoob a while back, turned out to be a leaking slave cylinder, I could keep topping it up to temporaily fix the problem if that helps

B@Th*nG · 15 May 2009 at 14:14

Thomas. PLease. said:
Yeh i would have thought that, but strange that its not slipping in 5th.

it wouldn't do if the slave cylinder is gone. There might be a leak under the car if that's the case, but maybe not.

B@

Matt82 · 15 May 2009 at 14:16

Shadez said:
check the fluid level, could just need topping up.

if the level was low then it wouldnt be disengaging, ie hard to disengauge

NightShadow · 15 May 2009 at 14:27

Hmm, will try and pop round and check the levels later on, he tells me hes checked it and that its OK though. It's been like this for nearly a year now apparently but he doesn't use the car much as has a motorbike. When you say the slave cylinder could be gone, do you mean leaking or just not working?

B@Th*nG · 15 May 2009 at 15:38

as i say, there are instances where it leaks and instances where it just doesn't work properly. The clutch plate sounds like it's ok so it leaves limited options - The master clutch cylinder and the slave clutch cylinder. It's more likely to be the slave.

B@

kaiowas · 15 May 2009 at 15:42

in my experience if it was a slave cylinder leak it'd work fine under normal operation until the fluid level got so low that the master cylinder sucks in a slug of air then you'll have a spongy clutch with a really low bite point until you bleed it all through and refill.

A high bite point sounds more like the friction plate is nearing the end of it's life but it's not quite bad enough to have started slipping yet.

B@Th*nG · 15 May 2009 at 16:15

surely it'd be progressive though? and you'd be able to get it into first easily? It's not necessarily a leak, as i say.

B@

NightShadow · 15 May 2009 at 16:22

Thanks for the pointers, will have a look at it later on and check the levels are OK. Is there any easy way of diagnosing if the slave cylinder is actually faulty or anything obvious I can check without pulling it apart?

AtlanticP · 15 May 2009 at 16:42

does it judder at all as it bites mate ?

NightShadow · 15 May 2009 at 18:10

Just been round to have a look, clutch/brake fluid res is at max (assuming it is shared). Went for a drive and the biting point is very high, about 1cm from the top and there is a slight judder as it bites. Seems to go into gear OK though, couldn't get it to slip unless I pressed the pedal though. Assuming it is just the friction plate that's worn (not sure if its ever had a replacement after 150K miles) does £220 sound like a good price for a clutch change inc. parts?

Shadez · 18 May 2009 at 09:39

NightShadow said:
Just been round to have a look, clutch/brake fluid res is at max (assuming it is shared). Went for a drive and the biting point is very high, about 1cm from the top and there is a slight judder as it bites. Seems to go into gear OK though, couldn't get it to slip unless I pressed the pedal though. Assuming it is just the friction plate that's worn (not sure if its ever had a replacement after 150K miles) does £220 sound like a good price for a clutch change inc. parts?

Clutch and break should have seperate resivours.

B@Th*nG · 18 May 2009 at 10:19

Shadez said:
Clutch and break should have seperate resivours.

my car doesn't

B@

Dogbreath · 18 May 2009 at 10:43

kaiowas said:
A high bite point sounds more like the friction plate is nearing the end of it's life but it's not quite bad enough to have started slipping yet.

Almost certainly this. Has the clutch ever been changed? If it's the original at 150k it will be worn out.

A leaking slave does not move the biting point right to the top of the pedal, though one that is partially seized could do this.

NightShadow · 18 May 2009 at 10:52

Am going to try and get it replaced in the next week for him. Can anybody reccommend anywhere in London to get it done? My dad has had a quote of £220 from MrClutch but I've heard mixed opinions about them.

Camalot · 18 May 2009 at 11:42

What do you guys mean by slipping? What do i look out for to see if my clutch is slipping? My bite is at the top of the pedal, never thought anything of it.