New clutch issues slipping

[mattrosersv]

Recently (500 miles ago) replaced my clutch with AP clutch and new standard slave.

Took the car out yesterday and the clutch started slipping a couple of miles from home. changed through a couple of gears and still the same. I thought the bite had moved up the peddle when I took it out the last couple of times.

Went down a gear to put it in my drive and started working again.

Clutch peddle has felt 'sticky' on the first depression every time I have used it since clutch change. But felt solid at all times even when clutch was slipping.

Can't figure out in my small brain what it might be. Possibly air in the fluid expanding when hot? Poss leaking slave fluid on clutch? sticking slave/bearing?

What have I bodged on the install? Not really looking forward to possibly pulling the box on a cold weekend Won't get the chance to investigate until Saturday.

Ideas appreciated!

Matt

[C3BER]

What's the fluid level like? Sounds simple and I hope it's just that, low fluid and needs bleeding.

[ukkid35]

I also had a 'sticky' clutch after fitting new seals to the standard slave, this definitely caused the clutch to slip when changing gear, but the clutch didn't last much longer anyway. When I put the RP slave in with a new clutch the pedal action was transformed - light and silky smooth.

[a1rak]

sounds like the slave cylinder sticking and then not releasing when you lift off the pedal. Check if you fluid level has dropped which will mean again a faulty slave. Don't think it will be air. Either way I think you are in for a cold weekend. Get the RP slave if yours is faulty.

[mattrosersv]

Thanks guys. As A1RAK suggested I don't think it is just low fluid in the master as if this was slow I would have a spongy feel/ lack of operating clutch, rather than a slipping clutch. I will check and bleed anyway at the weekend. It certainly had fluid in after replacement and first 100 miles so if fluid is gone I have a failure somewhere and probably has to come to bits anyway.

Slave was brand new when installed so will be a little bit gutted if I have to replace . It certainly feels like sticking slave. Will post back when I figure it out.

I was hoping the initial sticky feel would go after a bit of use.

Matt

[WIL35]

I had a slipping clutch after I replaced my slave and clutch assembly a few years back. It turned out to be the valve in the end of the Master Cylinder.

My additonal symptom was clutch fluid shooting out of the bleed pipe when I pulled over. It would be ok for a short while after releasing the pressure but would then start slipping after a few uses of the clutch. It must have somehow pressurised the system.

I replaced the Master and it was fine, hopefully this might be the case with your one!

[greenracing]

do you have a standard flywheel? i had issues with slippage after i replaced by standard ( or so i thought) slave with another new standard slave. only after doing so i realised that the original slave had previously had the centre piston shortened to allow for the 4-5mm additional overall depth of a raceproved clutch and uprated flywheel. i did post some pics up on another post, i will try and find the link.

[greenracing]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... may find this useful

[esso]

greenracing said:

do you have a standard flywheel? i had issues with slippage after i replaced by standard ( or so i thought) slave with another new standard slave. only after doing so i realised that the original slave had previously had the centre piston shortened to allow for the 4-5mm additional overall depth of a raceproved clutch and uprated flywheel. i did post some pics up on another post, i will try and find the link.

I had this problem too but my clutch slipped straight away.I would try bleeding the clutch again because the seals may have failed in the master-cylinder,if you struggle to bleed the clutch this is most likely the case(i had this happen too.)Its easier to replace this first rather than having to remove gearbox/bellhousing etc, again.

[mattrosersv]

Thanks guys. greenracing i found your thread before I posted so thanks for taking the time with that. As I have AP clutch and standard new slave I figured I would be OK. Wish I had measured up before putting it all back together!

Master was new last year, however I guess the fluid return could be faulty. Certainly worth a go for the sake of 30 quid. I bled it with a presure bleeder so can't say if had an issue with bleeding by the pedal. It has however done a few hundred miles with no probs.

Matt

[mattrosersv]

Just to finish off this thread hopefully.. Bled the clutch again and been around the block a few times. Clutch does not have the sticky feel it had before.

Still not that confident it won't have to come apart again but will find out tomorrow when I head up to Neil Garner's open day..... wonder if I'll make it....

Matt

[Jhonno]

• Fingers crossed*