Clutch - slipping or not disengaging or failing completely?
Discussion
Last night, car not particularly hot - the clutch pedal went floppy, so no gear change possible. (This did happen once before early last summer).
After a little while of throwing it down to the floor to try and release whatever had 'stuck' it did have a little pressure there, very low to the floor though. As the minutes ticked by the pedal seem to get some resistance back - almost like it was on a slow release. So I managed to get a gear and limped home. It was almost like - every time I used the clutch pedal it was sticking down and only releasing very very slowly.
No sign of any fluid in the footwell (but haven't checked fluid levels under the bonnet yet).
So, the clutch is working a little - but not always. With some patience, I managed to get the car home as it was only 8 miles or so, but could smell that horrible clutch smell - so does that perhaps mean that the clutch is slipping and not disengaging properly?
Haven't checked it this morning yet.
If anyone has a check list or had something similar happen, I'd appreciate hearing - thanks
.
(Master / Slave and Clutch replaced February last year).
Just been and checked clutch pedal - it's still only biting very low to the floor.
Thanks in advance!
After a little while of throwing it down to the floor to try and release whatever had 'stuck' it did have a little pressure there, very low to the floor though. As the minutes ticked by the pedal seem to get some resistance back - almost like it was on a slow release. So I managed to get a gear and limped home. It was almost like - every time I used the clutch pedal it was sticking down and only releasing very very slowly.
No sign of any fluid in the footwell (but haven't checked fluid levels under the bonnet yet).
So, the clutch is working a little - but not always. With some patience, I managed to get the car home as it was only 8 miles or so, but could smell that horrible clutch smell - so does that perhaps mean that the clutch is slipping and not disengaging properly?
Haven't checked it this morning yet.
If anyone has a check list or had something similar happen, I'd appreciate hearing - thanks
.(Master / Slave and Clutch replaced February last year).
Just been and checked clutch pedal - it's still only biting very low to the floor.
Thanks in advance!
First thought was fluid loss Nix but not so sure now, the thing that worries me is the mention of the burning smell when you got it driving; this would indicate that the clutch is remaining neither fully engaged nor disengaged, fluid loss through failed seals would I think mean it was hard to disengage clutch in order to change gear etc, but shouldn't prevent a clutch from engaging properly (although as you know, mechanics are not the strongest of my many and varied skills 
) - I'm going to hazard a guess at a sticking/dragging slave cylinder am afraid, hope I'm wrong given it's not been that long since done.
) - I'm going to hazard a guess at a sticking/dragging slave cylinder am afraid, hope I'm wrong given it's not been that long since done.thegreengoblet said:
Was the clutch an AP unit?
Raceproved. I was fortunate that the garage agreed to just do the fitting as a clever TVR friend built the clutch for me. We supplied the clutch and Master+Slave cylinders to the garage - iirc, the slave would apparently not fit (?), so they supplied the slave in the end (need to check paperwork).Do you have an idea of what the problem is?
Hello Amazon
First thing is to check fluid if it is low then it is slave gone check and see if there is any black bits in the fliud if there is then a seal has gone, you might not see fluid on ground as it can stay in the bell housing. You could also have a slight leak try and bleed the system and see if you can engage gears after that but it does sound like somethings gone, good luck .
Mine has lost fluid and was hard to get gear so I have bled it through and fingers crossed it is working but probarbly will go
.
Billy No Brakes
First thing is to check fluid if it is low then it is slave gone check and see if there is any black bits in the fliud if there is then a seal has gone, you might not see fluid on ground as it can stay in the bell housing. You could also have a slight leak try and bleed the system and see if you can engage gears after that but it does sound like somethings gone, good luck
.Mine has lost fluid and was hard to get gear so I have bled it through and fingers crossed it is working but probarbly will go
.Billy No Brakes
Bad luck Nicky!
This is not going to be a quick (long term) fix even if you manage to get it working again. The gear box is going to have to come off I'm afraid as something has gone/shifted/broken/worn etc etc to give you this problem.
You might be really lucky and it's the master cylinder seals as these are quick and easy to change (ok a bit fiddly) and cheap to buy.
The first thing you are going to have to do is remove the top trim under the bonnet that fits up to the windscreen. You'll then see a black buldge on the drivers side inner wing, this is the cover for the clutch fluid/master cylinder. Remove it and unscrew the cap on the clutch fluid container (it will be tight and difficult to get off, use a pair of long noise pliers or similar).
If no fluid then master or slave cylinder, if not then clutch problem and gearbox off time! If not master cylinder then still gearbox off time as the slave cylinder is in the gearbox.
Si
This is not going to be a quick (long term) fix even if you manage to get it working again. The gear box is going to have to come off I'm afraid as something has gone/shifted/broken/worn etc etc to give you this problem.
You might be really lucky and it's the master cylinder seals as these are quick and easy to change (ok a bit fiddly) and cheap to buy.
The first thing you are going to have to do is remove the top trim under the bonnet that fits up to the windscreen. You'll then see a black buldge on the drivers side inner wing, this is the cover for the clutch fluid/master cylinder. Remove it and unscrew the cap on the clutch fluid container (it will be tight and difficult to get off, use a pair of long noise pliers or similar).
If no fluid then master or slave cylinder, if not then clutch problem and gearbox off time! If not master cylinder then still gearbox off time as the slave cylinder is in the gearbox.
Si
amazon said:
thegreengoblet said:
Was the clutch an AP unit?
Raceproved. I was fortunate that the garage agreed to just do the fitting as a clever TVR friend built the clutch for me. We supplied the clutch and Master+Slave cylinders to the garage - iirc, the slave would apparently not fit (?), so they supplied the slave in the end (need to check paperwork).Do you have an idea of what the problem is?
thegreengoblet said:
amazon said:
thegreengoblet said:
Was the clutch an AP unit?
Raceproved. I was fortunate that the garage agreed to just do the fitting as a clever TVR friend built the clutch for me. We supplied the clutch and Master+Slave cylinders to the garage - iirc, the slave would apparently not fit (?), so they supplied the slave in the end (need to check paperwork).Do you have an idea of what the problem is?
Thanks for your help Bill, much appreciated. 
I had a similar problem a while back. The clutch was fine when cold. But as soon as the engine was hot it would stick and release very slowly.
(Very interesting trying to set off from stationery guessing when the clutch would release and timing application of throttle appropriately)
The slave was replaced with a Raceproved unit.
The slave that came out (an AP unit) was very badly scored which was the probable cause of the clutch sticking when hot.
(Very interesting trying to set off from stationery guessing when the clutch would release and timing application of throttle appropriately)
The slave was replaced with a Raceproved unit.
The slave that came out (an AP unit) was very badly scored which was the probable cause of the clutch sticking when hot.
hey Nicky, sorry to hear you got probs, hope it gets sorted soon. I'll let Mark know incase he can think of anything that might help. Have no more updates to add at the moment - I tried to examine clutch fluid last night, but I'm not strong enough to get the 'cap' off and my toolkit is not very extensive! 
The feedback so far is really helpful, but I am bracing myself for the worst! But that could start a whole different thread - on the strength that the clutch has only been in for 18 months (the original lasted 40K). Something not quite right there..........
The feedback so far is really helpful, but I am bracing myself for the worst! But that could start a whole different thread - on the strength that the clutch has only been in for 18 months (the original lasted 40K). Something not quite right there..........
amazon said:
the clutch has only been in for 18 months (the original lasted 40K). Something not quite right there..........
I think its just pot luck Nicky. When I bought my car the previous custodian had just had a new clutch fitted. That lasted about 3000 miles. I had it replaced. That lasted another 5000 miles. The current clutch has lasted so far (fingers crossed) 25,000 miles. 
I don't think 17 monthes is long enough, I have done 17,000 miles and I'm still on the clutch the car came with, and beleive me it's taken a battering at times, it'll probably explode the next time I look at the car after saying that.
I think it's down to fitting a lot of the time, also never rest your foot on the clutch pedalwhilst driving.
I think it's down to fitting a lot of the time, also never rest your foot on the clutch pedalwhilst driving.
Hi Amazon
Same problem happened to mine last week, clutch pedal to the floor, only just biting, stalling the car and then no gear selection, flatbed home
Seals had gone in the master/slave and upon inspection of the clutch which shows some wear and tear it has been decided to replace the whole shooting match whilst its in the garage rather than take the chance on being back there next month for a failed clutch and strip it all out again!
Just waiting on the delivery of the clutch so work can start to get her back on the road...glad the weathers crap at the mo
Good luck with yours anyway
Keith
Same problem happened to mine last week, clutch pedal to the floor, only just biting, stalling the car and then no gear selection, flatbed home
Seals had gone in the master/slave and upon inspection of the clutch which shows some wear and tear it has been decided to replace the whole shooting match whilst its in the garage rather than take the chance on being back there next month for a failed clutch and strip it all out again!
Just waiting on the delivery of the clutch so work can start to get her back on the road...glad the weathers crap at the mo
Good luck with yours anyway
Keith
TON70 said:
Hi Amazon
Same problem happened to mine last week, clutch pedal to the floor, only just biting, stalling the car and then no gear selection, flatbed home
Seals had gone in the master/slave and upon inspection of the clutch which shows some wear and tear it has been decided to replace the whole shooting match whilst its in the garage rather than take the chance on being back there next month for a failed clutch and strip it all out again!
Just waiting on the delivery of the clutch so work can start to get her back on the road...glad the weathers crap at the mo
Good luck with yours anyway
Keith
Hi Keith - thank you - I think! ;-) I always take some comfort when someone has experienced the same thing. Suppose I was fortunate to manage to drive it home - saves hours of waiting around! Think your logic is good to replace the whole clutch whilst you're at it.Same problem happened to mine last week, clutch pedal to the floor, only just biting, stalling the car and then no gear selection, flatbed home
Seals had gone in the master/slave and upon inspection of the clutch which shows some wear and tear it has been decided to replace the whole shooting match whilst its in the garage rather than take the chance on being back there next month for a failed clutch and strip it all out again!
Just waiting on the delivery of the clutch so work can start to get her back on the road...glad the weathers crap at the mo
Good luck with yours anyway
Keith
Thanks! Hope you're back on the road very soon.
julian64 said:
Siezed slave cylinder would be my guess.
Thanks J - with your experience, I would think that 'guess' is probably well informed! Thanks for your thoughts!I have just got some tools to help me get the cap off to check the clutch fluid - supposing there is some there of course!
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