Ford Puma Clutch Problem

[sdh2000uk]

Hi, first time post, mainly as this clutch problem has really started to annoy me. It started when my clutch pedal was sticking to the floor and not coming back up, unless it was pulled. Had it towed home. I bought a new clutch kit, which included the release bearing, that was supposedly for my make and model. Arranged for this to be fitted by a mate of my brothers at his garage. Brother phoned me after his mate had fitted and told me that he had fitted the clutch, but the release bearing was not the correct one. Because he had to get the car off the ramp he had to put it all together again, but he did say the current release bearing looked in good shape. He also mentioned that the clutch master cylinder may also need replacing at some point as there seemed to be a slight leakage of air from it. Anyways, I went to pick the car up and drove okay for about ten minutes, then suddenly the pedal started doing the same thing again. I managed to it to my brothers house driving it all the way in second, but whenever I slowed down it would just stall and I had to go through the whole thing of trying to get it started again, which didn't impress the massive queue of traffic building up behind me.

Brother took a quick look at it and he said the fluid levels seem alright and that after bleeding it and topping it back up all of this looked okay. To try and save me time and expense could anybody offer any insight as to what the problem may be. The obvious things it could be are either the master cylinder or the release bearing wasn't actually okay and it is this that is broken. Brother is going to speak to guy who fixed it tomorrow, to find out what the difference was between the release bearing on my car and the new one I bought, but in the meantime I thought it was worth me posting this to see if anybody knew off hand.

I know this is a lot to take in, but thought I would try and put as much info in first post as possible. If you need any clarification on anything then please let me know and I will respond asap.

[Justin S]

Not sure if your is the same, but some master cylinders are plastic and the seals stick in the bores and jam when pressed. I would personally inspect the master cylinder and replace as it is easier and quicker than ripping out the box again. You might find that was the problem all along......................

[sdh2000uk]

Thanks, will get it checked out and will update post. Not likely to be till tomorrow evening at earliest because of work. Thanks again.

[Pumaracing]

I don't know the specifics of your car but clutch pedals usually have their own return spring in the footwell linkage and come back up regardless of the rest of the system. I'd check a return spring isn't broken or a pivot jamming on the pedal itself before suspecting the master cylinder or anything further downstream of that.

[sdh2000uk]

Brother has checked the car. The clutch return spring is in good condition, so it isn't that. The master cylinder was pretty stuffed up, so I am going to get a new one of those and he is going to fit it. I will keep this post up-to-date to let you know what it was.

Sean

[sdh2000uk]

Brother did the car and turns out it was the master cylinder after all. Thanks everybody for their replies.