Weekend Clutch Failure ... and Diagnosis ...

[yg649]

Just had the diagnostics back from the Dealer regarding lack of clutch pressure on my '99 4.5.

Basically, after having to replace the seals on the Master cylinder only 2 months ago, the Slave has gone. Something instinctively says that if 1 goes with natural wear, the other has done exactly the same amount of work - therefore, I shouldn't have been too surprised. However, just done a search through previous threads and haven't really been able to pick that up as a trend. Any interesting thoughts ?

Would really appreciate if anyone can tell me what the reservoir is actually feeding. Took cover off to access clutch fluid reservoir immediately upon detecting weak clutch action. Whilst low (guilty - Rule #1: ALWAY's check fluids (no matter how bloody awkward it is to do so ......)), reserve was not completely empty. Is this only providing fluid for the Master Cylinder and maybe not the Slave ... ? However, would've expected that clutch fluid MUST'VE been topped up after Master cylinder seals were replaced - therefore, I'd like to think that it's feeding both...

The clutch slave cyclinder of course being within the bell housing, therefore, not much opportunity to find out what it looks like - search i-net etc. to find out whether this is a recondition / throw away option i.e. what's the life-cycle before this could happen again :duckshowlongisapieceofstringshots:. If it's just a case of new seals ...

Of course, like all good dentists, we've just had the "whilst we were in there ......" conversation and I've got a new clutch plate on order (see original master > slave > clutch plate similar wear theory). Thankfully, as the gearbox is already out on this one, then it should only be a case of parts !

Anyway, apart from the new clutch plate, I'm hoping that this one will go through on Warranty ... here's hoping !

[barry]

Sorry to hear the bad news. I can confirm that the resevoir feeds the entire clutch system (both master and slave cylinders).

As you say, logic says that if one has gone the other will not be far behind it!

Good luck with the warranty company.

[joelk]

Would recommend speaking to Joolz at Joospeed. He sorted my clutch last week and it's like it's a different car!

[olly]

Our slave went last June, and the warranty (WH) paid for it, apart from the release bearing (£19.98). We didn't need anything else doing (clutch plates etc), so was only of the road for a week.....

Good luck !

[Billy_rfc]

Hey there, How much have you been quoted for the work to replace the slave? If you dont mind me asking. Or if you give me an idea of the amount of time taken to do the change that would be good too.
Just replaced my master and still having problems selecting gears so think it could be slave.

Billy.

[Billy_rfc]

Hey Guys, just found out it would take somthing like 5 hours for the slave.

Billy.

[yg649]

Thanks for the feedback. Great news that WH has paid out before on this one ... Think I can cover the 20 quid in light of what it could've been ...

Still awaiting the nod from warranty, therefore will only be able to confirm actuals later on in the week. Of course, accessing the bell housing was required to confirm slave failure ... Therefore, 50% of the labour must already have been done. Food for thought if WH are a bit reluctant here ....

[Julian64]

I had this in january. Warranty holdings agreed to pay for the slave but would only allow labour at £23 per hour.
Took a lot of arguing to get them to foot any more. I think they're getting wise to TVR's. I was told that they were making TVR's a seperate entity because of the increasing expenses.
Warranty ran out in may and I decided after all the trouble I had with them to drive the TVR naked!!!