Clutch problems

[davhughes]

For the last few weeks my car's clutch has been getting progressively worse.

The clutch pedal seems – I guess – slack and wishy washy in its movement. The biting point is very low (early) and vicious. It’s now that bad that its almost impossible to engage reverse or first gear. Needless to say the car is now put to bed in the garage.

Is the clutch buggered – or is there some other explanation? Is the linkage from the pedal to the clutch mechanism a cable?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Dav

[Red V8]

I believe the linkage is hydraulic, could simply need bleeding...

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Sounds like a fluid problem somewhere. When the clutch itself is fecked it normally gets stiffer, or slips. (in my experience that is)

[victormeldrew]

It does sound like you are low on clutch fluid. Under the black cover inside the engine bay you will find a master cylinder, and you can top the fluid up there. You might want to bleed the system while you are at it as it obviously hasn't had any attention for a while!

[davhughes]

2120 and three replies already - thank you.

Will take a look tomorrow.

How do you go about bleeding the system? Also, any special type of clutch fluid required?

I'd search the archives, but the search functionality seems to be dead tonight!

Thanks again.

Dav

[victormeldrew]

There is a bleed nipple on the clutch slave cylinder, down by the starter motor. Its an under the car job I'm afraid, and either a two man job or use an EastBleed. Top up with clean fluid (any decent dot3 fluid will do) and pump the pedal while opening the nipple until clean bubble free fluid flows.

[harrow_chim]

If you are low on clutch fluid, the next question is "where has it all gone?". Check for signs of leaking around the master cylinder (usually ends up on the carpet in the footwell) and the slave cylinder (damp patch on the garage floor). If there are no signs of a leak there might be other problems in the clutch actuating mechanism itself.
It is always best to sort problems out as soon as they start to show rather than hoping they will go away - especially with TVRs!
Nick

[Tunnelmeister]

Mine had similar problems, it was the actuator linkage, a grub screw had come loose and progressively had the same problems as yours, might be worth checking 1st...

[DavHughes]

OK, I've booked the car into my garage for next Monday (to be safe), but in the meantime, I thought I'd have a snoop around. Looking at the reservoir (exposed via the black cover) it looks pretty much dry. So, will just topping up (without bleeding) make any difference? Obviously I want the garage to have a proper look, but I'm wondering if the idea of topping up before attempting to drive it to the garage is worth it?

Cheers.

Dav

[harrow_chim]

Definitely worth a go - top it up and pump the pedal a few times. Quite often the air in the system will make it's way up to the master cylinder reservoir of it own accord without the need to bleed.
But where has all your fluid gone????
Nick

[davhughes]

Topped the reservoir up. Surprised how little I could get in – I guess the level couldn’t have been much below the reservoir. Pumped the clutch pedal. Instantly better. Went for a 10 minute test drive – an hour later – everything fine.

Could such a small amount of fluid make such a difference?

Cheers.

Dav

[harrow_chim]

davhughes said:

Could such a small amount of fluid make such a difference?

It must have - as soon as the system starts sucking in a small amount of air you'll notice the difference. I would recommend that you find out where the fluid has gone. It will require to be topped up a very small amount as the clutch wears - but not that much.
Nick