General clutch question....

[silverback mike]

My shed has an issue. I think it's the release bearing, but thought I would throw the symptoms out to the masses...
Merc c180 of M 1995 vintage. Not a bad old thing but the manual gearbox seems to 'snatch', ie I can't pull away smoothly, and to do so in first it's rather kangarooesque unless I give it more throttle than average, which, I suppose in effect slips it.

The clutch doesn't slip, judder or anything else in any other gear....

Any ideas? fixes?

I really can't be arsed to pull the clutch out as the car isn't worth much, but the rest of it is spot on.

To clutch or not to clutch that is the question!! if that's the snag.

[Ozzie Osmond]

I doubt it's the release bearing. The bearing is small and in the middle so usually has only two possible states - working quietly (normal) or working noisily (if worn).

My bet is your problem has something to do with either,
i. contaminated friction surface, or
ii. dodgy release mechanism (don't know if it's cable or hydraulic on those Mercs.

All I'd do is check the release mechanism and otherwise leave well alone until it gets a lot worse....

....and keep an eye out for anything dripping under the car.

[S Line Luxury]

is it a hydroponic clutch?

[miniman]

S Line Luxury said:

is it a hydroponic clutch?

[S Line Luxury]

miniman said:

S Line Luxury said:

is it a hydroponic clutch?

Or have i just walked into this one and all Mercs are cable?

[hairykrishna]

S Line Luxury said:

miniman said:

S Line Luxury said:

is it a hydroponic clutch?

Or have i just walked into this one and all Mercs are cable?

I think you meant hydraulic...

[S Line Luxury]

i did, well spotted

cheers

[pinchmeimdreamin]

hairykrishna said:

S Line Luxury said:

miniman said:

S Line Luxury said:

is it a hydroponic clutch?

Or have i just walked into this one and all Mercs are cable?

I think you meant hydraulic...

Well its an old Merc so it may well be growing a few plants in there too

[catman]

I would also say that there may be oil on the friction plate, or faulty release mechanism.

If the clutch is cable-operated, then the cable may be frayed and catching.

Tim

[silverback mike]

pinchmeimdreamin said:

hairykrishna said:

S Line Luxury said:

miniman said:

S Line Luxury said:

is it a hydroponic clutch?

Or have i just walked into this one
and all Mercs are cable?

I think you meant hydraulic...

Well its an old Merc so it may well begrowing a few plants in there too

hey, don't knock these old things, I've owned more exotic metal ....ish... The last old merc I had was faultless at knocking on 495,000 miles, well, it was an old e class diesel (aka dafur taxi)
hydroponic fab the hydroponics I've dealt with normally involve a lot of heat, a wrecked house and some chemically enhanced foliage
thanks to all though, release mechanism seems a good call, didn't think of that, back to a dafur taxi maybe......

[bazking69]

S Line Luxury said:

is it a hydroponic clutch?

I think you have not only reitterated but indeed confirmed the fact that you know as much about cars as Raoul Moat knew about reason. You present yourself as the stereotypical Audi S-Line driver.

Regarding the clutch, it could well be a knackered or contaminated clutch plate.

[king arthur]

S Line Luxury said:

is it a hydroponic clutch?

Now we know what you've been smoking.