Citroen Xsara - Clutch

[pusb]

Car is a 2002 Citroen Xsara 2.0HDI 90 - Mileage 116k

Hi,

Just 2 weeks after making my first post on here, I now have another issue.

This time its my clutch.

It actually started a few months ago, but I wasn't too concerned at first.

Initially the only problem was a noise. The engine was making a chirping/whistling sound, in line with RPM (a bit like a slightly worn fan belt). The noise was there whether moving or stationary, but would stop the second the clutch pedal was pressed. Once released the noise would return. Whilst it was doing this, gear change and clutch operation was fine.

It stayed like this until a few days ago. Now when I press the clutch down, it is quite stiff until about an inch from the floor, where upon it lets out a clunk and drops straight to the floor without much resistance. Gear change is still ok, however it might be my imagination but gearchange does feel slightly more grabby (if thats the right terminology!)

The stiffness of the pedal is now enough to leave me with a sore leg after driving through rush hour traffic.

I'm inclined to think its the release bearing, but not 100% sure. It has a type of servo fitted to the clutch pedal, could it be this instead?

Not sure its worth putting too much effort into a car this old.

[Buff Mchugelarge]

I'd put money on it being the release bearing..

[Sardonicus]

Buff Mchugelarge said:

I'd put money on it being the release bearing..

Yep me too the bearing face is rather small and they wear the fingers on the cover-plate before breaking the finger tips off with nasty consequences or complete bearing break-up/failure with similar results

[E-bmw]

Sardonicus said:

Yep me too the bearing face is rather small and they wear the fingers on the cover-plate before breaking the finger tips off with nasty consequences or complete bearing break-up/failure with similar results

I think that is more likely than the release bearing being the sole issue.

The noise will have been the bearing.

That has likely caused an issue with the clutch fingers as above.

Full new clutch kit required, check also on your car for the requirement of concentric slave cylinder & any specific bleeding/fitting/alignment requirements if doing it yourself.

[imagineifyeswill]

Citroen Xsara doesnt have a concentric slave cylinder, they have the cheapest crappy plastic based release bearing which normally goes long before the clutch wears out.

[E-bmw]

I didn't say it did have, I said "check". Same as I said check for any specific bleeding process etc.

[imagineifyeswill]

I wasnt getting at you merely stating a fact having done countless numbers of these clutch changes,

[E-bmw]

I know you weren't don't worry about it.

[OnTheEdge]

Would a 2.0L HDi of this age have a DMF? They can make chirping noises when on their way out.

[Sardonicus]

Nope