Weird clutch

[andy-xr]

My snotter has developed an interesting problem, noticed it the other day. From cold the clutch pedal rises back up really slowly, enough that you can pretty much sidestep the clutch altogether when depressed and it'll set off. When it's like that, it slips under load. When it's warmed up, it's fine, bites no problem and no noticeable slip that I can find (and I took it over the Peaks today up and down hills)

I've had it where a clutch has slipped all the time under any load, but not from cold and gradually getting better. Makes me think there might be moisture somewhere? Anyone have any ideas? It's a Rover 25 diseasel if that matters

[Flatinfourth]

When my E28 BMW does that it's a seized pedal pivot shaft, when my old Land Rover did it it was a seizing up master cylinder piston. Beyond that I have seen delaminated clutch hoses that return the fluid only very slowly, sticky slave cylinders. Time to check it out a bit! Good luck

[SebastienClement]

andy-xr said:

My snotter has developed an interesting problem, noticed it the other day. From cold the clutch pedal rises back up really slowly, enough that you can pretty much sidestep the clutch altogether when depressed and it'll set off. When it's like that, it slips under load. When it's warmed up, it's fine, bites no problem and no noticeable slip that I can find (and I took it over the Peaks today up and down hills)

I've had it where a clutch has slipped all the time under any load, but not from cold and gradually getting better. Makes me think there might be moisture somewhere? Anyone have any ideas? It's a Rover 25 diseasel if that matters

Possibly slave cylinder? I know it's an issue which gives similar symptoms on the 75.

[Ozzie Osmond]

The "return spring" is in the clutch itself so your problem could be any of,

• slave cylinder
• pipework
• master cylinder

On some cars the slave cylinder is first suspect as it's hanging out in the salt and crud under the car. Depends on type of car.

[andy-xr]

I think if it is the slave cylinder I'd be looking at a repair bill around half the value of the car. I'll get it booked in to a clutch/gearbox place and let them make a stab at it. Cheers for the thoughts

[marmitemania]

andy-xr said:

I think if it is the slave cylinder I'd be looking at a repair bill around half the value of the car. I'll get it booked in to a clutch/gearbox place and let them make a stab at it. Cheers for the thoughts

Slave cylinder is on the outside of the gearbox, so no big job you could do it yourself. Thats if you are talking about the 25 of course.

[andy-xr]

Just a quick update, had chance to get it looked at today, there's me checking fluids and it's a cable! My local friendly place has suggested replacing the cable first to see if it gets better before going any further, which needs ordering but isnt too expensive

[thiscocks]

As mentioned, check pedal pivot also. If not that or cable, must be something to do with release lever on gearbox or release bearing inside

[leef44]

andy-xr said:

Just a quick update, had chance to get it looked at today, there's me checking fluids and it's a cable! My local friendly place has suggested replacing the cable first to see if it gets better before going any further, which needs ordering but isnt too expensive

it doesn't make sense why it would only be a problem in the cold start if it is the cable.

[bimsb6]

leef44 said:

it doesn't make sense why it would only be a problem in the cold start if it is the cable.

Perished boot on cable letting in water then freezing .

[andy-xr]

leef44 said:

it doesn't make sense why it would only be a problem in the cold start if it is the cable.

How so? I dont know the answer, interested in thoughts. If it is just the cable, and there's no guarantee that's the only problem (!) then might it be that once its been used and warmed up a bit it gets easier to operate. There's still a fair few parts to go at I guess if it's not just the cable itself but what it connects to possibly

[leef44]

bimsb6 said:

Perished boot on cable letting in water then freezing .

ah! fair point.

[M4cruiser]

WD40 down the cable can work for a time.

[Mr2Mike]

It is not unknown for the clutch release shaft on the Rover PG1 box to seize up. This runs through the bellhousing, and has the release fork attached within the bellhousing and the arm the cable mounts to at the end. The shaft seizes at the "bearing" points, i.e. just under the operating arm and at the other end of the shaft which is unfortunately inside the bellhousing.

This gives a heavy clutch, and one that is prone to snapping cables, but could also explain slipping if it isn't allowing the release bearing to return fully.