Clutchless return from Chatsworth help needed.
Clutchless return from Chatsworth help needed.
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Discussion

Spluffy

Original Poster:

128 posts

250 months

Sunday 22nd April 2007
quotequote all
We had a fantastic day at Chatsworth. Drove down in convoy from West Yorks (thanks to Scott for the organising). Great time looking at all the fantastic cars and "wow what a turn out".

That's where the fun ended.

We set off popping and banging with big grins, but after a couple of mile I noticed the gear selection getting rather difficult. After a few more miles, gear change was impossible. We either had to start in gear (which the clutch just allowed us to do) or took some scary risks at keeping moving through traffic lights and roundabouts. Once on the motorway it was a steady run up to leeds M1 then M62 to Junction 27. The best bit (or not) was after exiting the motorway and negotiating 2 roundabouts and a dual caraigeway before turning into our drive in 3rd gear at 40mph!.

I have searched through the forums with some scary outcomes new clutches up to £1400. Therefore any help or advice is welcome.

Facts as below.

1. A small patch (approx 8" dia) appeared under the front of the car about 5 weeks ago out of the blue with no explaination. I now know this to be clutch/brake fluid.

2. There has been no difference with the car over those 5 weeks whatsoever.

3. The clutch/brake fluid bottle behind the pedals is full.

4. I can start the car in gear with the clutch down, but the biting point is instant with no free movement.

5. With the engine running and in neutral, no gear selection is possible.

6. Gear change is impossible whilst driving.

Sorry to put a downer on the day but you can imagine how I'm feeling. Any help, advice or plain sympathy will be greatly appreciated.

Spluffy



kev 1366

123 posts

252 months

Sunday 22nd April 2007
quotequote all
hi,

just had the clutch/slave cylinder done on my tuscan,got the raceproved kit at a cost of roughly £650 then got my local garage to fit it as was pretty straight forward,took about a day so i guess about £200ish to fit.tvr main dealer price about £1500 so a good saving in all,turned out to be the slave cylinder seals had gone hence puddle of fluid under car.

the clutch pedal is alot lighter now so would recomend it.

kev.

chim666

2,337 posts

295 months

Sunday 22nd April 2007
quotequote all
I might be wrong, but from your description and what you said about the patch of fluid on the floor, IMO it sounds like either the master or slave cylinder seals have given up the ghost. Can't say what the cost of sorting it ot will be, but hopefully, it'll be a lot cheaper than the cost of a new clutch
:fingerscrossedsmiley:

tuscnick

817 posts

268 months

Sunday 22nd April 2007
quotequote all
Spluffy said:
We had a fantastic day at Chatsworth. Drove down in convoy from West Yorks (thanks to Scott for the organising). Great time looking at all the fantastic cars and "wow what a turn out".

That's where the fun ended.

We set off popping and banging with big grins, but after a couple of mile I noticed the gear selection getting rather difficult. After a few more miles, gear change was impossible. We either had to start in gear (which the clutch just allowed us to do) or took some scary risks at keeping moving through traffic lights and roundabouts. Once on the motorway it was a steady run up to leeds M1 then M62 to Junction 27. The best bit (or not) was after exiting the motorway and negotiating 2 roundabouts and a dual caraigeway before turning into our drive in 3rd gear at 40mph!.

I have searched through the forums with some scary outcomes new clutches up to £1400. Therefore any help or advice is welcome.

Facts as below.

1. A small patch (approx 8" dia) appeared under the front of the car about 5 weeks ago out of the blue with no explaination. I now know this to be clutch/brake fluid.

2. There has been no difference with the car over those 5 weeks whatsoever.

3. The clutch/brake fluid bottle behind the pedals is full.

4. I can start the car in gear with the clutch down, but the biting point is instant with no free movement.

5. With the engine running and in neutral, no gear selection is possible.

6. Gear change is impossible whilst driving.

Sorry to put a downer on the day but you can imagine how I'm feeling. Any help, advice or plain sympathy will be greatly appreciated.

Spluffy




Sorry to hear your news -the car looked great though !!

I may be worth giving automedon a ring - they did mine about a month ago - none of this 1400 stuff. I very reasonable price lot less than that.

Cheers

Nick
The other popping and banging (but grey) Tuscan today

tvr5000

391 posts

260 months

Sunday 22nd April 2007
quotequote all
Sounds very similar to my experience. All the way down to Snetterton and a quick drive round Norwich and from struggling to get a gear to no gear at all. Could start it in gear but after a while even that option no longer existed.
They have a common fault with the fingers on the pressure plate and I was told that an average life span of a clutch is 12000 miles. The replacement and fitting cost 800 quid at Harrogate Horseless Carriages.

SEN 18

1,247 posts

242 months

Sunday 22nd April 2007
quotequote all
Spluffy said:
We had a fantastic day at Chatsworth. Drove down in convoy from West Yorks (thanks to Scott for the organising). Great time looking at all the fantastic cars and "wow what a turn out".

That's where the fun ended.

We set off popping and banging with big grins, but after a couple of mile I noticed the gear selection getting rather difficult. After a few more miles, gear change was impossible. We either had to start in gear (which the clutch just allowed us to do) or took some scary risks at keeping moving through traffic lights and roundabouts. Once on the motorway it was a steady run up to leeds M1 then M62 to Junction 27. The best bit (or not) was after exiting the motorway and negotiating 2 roundabouts and a dual caraigeway before turning into our drive in 3rd gear at 40mph!.

I have searched through the forums with some scary outcomes new clutches up to £1400. Therefore any help or advice is welcome.

Facts as below.

1. A small patch (approx 8" dia) appeared under the front of the car about 5 weeks ago out of the blue with no explaination. I now know this to be clutch/brake fluid.

2. There has been no difference with the car over those 5 weeks whatsoever.

3. The clutch/brake fluid bottle behind the pedals is full.

4. I can start the car in gear with the clutch down, but the biting point is instant with no free movement.

5. With the engine running and in neutral, no gear selection is possible.

6. Gear change is impossible whilst driving.

Sorry to put a downer on the day but you can imagine how I'm feeling. Any help, advice or plain sympathy will be greatly appreciated.

Spluffy



What a bastard that.Checkdrivers footwell under carpet and if you find oil common fault pipe connection to master cylinder may be leaking run your finger under union if wet thats your problem,cheap to fix needs recrimping.
Hope this helps. Chris.


Edited by SEN 18 on Sunday 22 April 23:27

Spluffy

Original Poster:

128 posts

250 months

Monday 23rd April 2007
quotequote all
Thanks Chris

A glimmer of hope. fingers crossed.

SEN 18

1,247 posts

242 months

Monday 23rd April 2007
quotequote all
Spluffy said:
Thanks Chris

A glimmer of hope. fingers crossed.
Good man it happend to my last Tiv(T350)if you reach over behind pedal box its the pipe running into the slave cylinder clutch & brake combined.

Spluffy

Original Poster:

128 posts

250 months

Tuesday 24th April 2007
quotequote all
Took the pedal box apart, no leaks at all. Stripped out the air filter box and bled the clutch. Checked for any obvious leaks or damage - nothing.

Looks like I'm going to have to face it, a new clutch is needed.

Hey Ho! doesn't stop me loving the car.

Spluffy

SEN 18

1,247 posts

242 months

Tuesday 24th April 2007
quotequote all
Spluffy said:
Took the pedal box apart, no leaks at all. Stripped out the air filter box and bled the clutch. Checked for any obvious leaks or damage - nothing.

Looks like I'm going to have to face it, a new clutch is needed.

Hey Ho! doesn't stop me loving the car.

Spluffy


Sorry to hear that mate , it was worth a check though - good luck ... Chris

Big Ashy

492 posts

283 months

Tuesday 24th April 2007
quotequote all
scratchchin Its difficult to say at this stage, but from what your describing, it sounds like it might just be the clutch release bearing. Trouble is, by the time the box is taken off to check, it seems daft not to put a new clutch in at the same time!! Good luck. smokin

jamessim

497 posts

290 months

Thursday 26th April 2007
quotequote all
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the email, I believe my fingernails will be getting broken this weekend.

Regards,

James.