Car suddenly does not change gear engine switched on

[Robb.s]

Hi all,

Hoping someone can help me out and give a bit of advice, I did post on another forum but haven't had a response yet and would like some other opinions.

As the title says, the car was working fine yesterday but suddenly now won't change into gear with the engine running, although I can change with the engine off, though the clutch does feel a little spongy too. Have been suggested conflicting information saying that it could be the master/slave cylinder or that it is the pressure plate that is likely to have gone and whole clutch needs replacing.

If it is the case of either, does anyone have an idea of costs I should expect? Some garages have quoted between £600-£800 which isn't ideal for me to shell out just before I am about to move!

Any help or pointers would be great, I'm a novice and currently at work today so difficult to check anything right now.

[Robb.s]

Thanks Dr Jekyll, how would I go about that?

The car is a Megane 1.9 I did also try to check the fluid level but difficult as its hidden under other components to see if the level is low though I did think about topping it up after work today and see if that could identify an issue?

[Robb.s]

Hi all, unfortunately I've not had time to get anyone out and needed it fixed by close of play tomorrow as urgent meetings Wednesday. Phoned around 7-8 garages they all indicated its more likely a clutch replacement on this type of car not likely to be master/slave issue or anything else. Quotes came in at £600-£900 labour only which is eyewatering to say the least!

Made an executive decision and found a mobile mechanic and negotiated £500 all in for replacement pressure plate, clutch plate, master/slave replacement if needed and 2 year warranty - not sure if that is good but his reviews were good and he said he can come out tomorrow and complete same day.

If I had more time I would do some more investigation, but thanks anyway

[Robb.s]

Hi guys, just as an update the guy has come out but unfortunately hit into more problems. Apparently he said there is a clutch conversion kit on the car instead of a dual fly mass (I think) and it shouldn't have been on there in the first place.

So he says he has to put on a new flywheel setting me back another £260 alhtough he says he's only going to charge cost price for it if I agree to pay his fuel as he has to come back due to none in stock. Nightmare!

[Robb.s]

Yes it is a 1.9 Megane diesel. He showed me the issue and one of the four springs on the pressure plate had broken off or snapped. He also ga e me the choice as to whether I wanted to keep the conversion kit and replace the part or have the dual mass put on and when he phoned round for prices on each they conversion part came in 12 quid cheaper.

He also said that if I opted for the conversion kit then it's likely to last about 12 months before I need replaced again. Another point he said is that they would normally mark it as being a conversion but in this case they didn't which he found odd but that's besides the point now.

Just a hell of a lot of money to pay!

[Robb.s]

Well just had the car delivered to my work, clutch definitely feels different but in total £798 for the parts and labour which I guess I can't complain since I was quoted that for labour on its own.

The conversion was apparently done by the previous owner 6 months before I got it and is unfortunate considering I'll be getting a company car next year. Never mind, just hoping this is the last of the problems before then!

Thanks for your help anyway