Clutch issue

[monzer]

2002 hymer b524 on the ducato.

I've started to have some issues regarding my clutch. It crunches everytime I try to engage reverse and 1st is getting a bit stiff to get in to as well.

No time to get it seen to as I have ferries to catch. I think it'll see me home but any ideas what could be the issue?

The little ring you pull up on the gearstick before engaging reverse seems very loose but I think that could be my imagination getting carried away looking for a fault.

Any ideas?

 

[tribalbrit]

Check fluid first

 

[monzer]

Fluid level looks fine but crunching is getting worse. Of course I had to reverse park on the first ferry

I'd get it seen when I arrive in Germany but won't arrive until 6pm tonight so nowhere will be open. My next ferry is rotterdam on Tuesday evening so should I wait somewhere near ferry until Monday and hope it can be fixed that day so I can travel to rotterdam or should I just travel to rotterdam and hope it holds out till I get home?

 

[Stealaway]

I would try and limp home. The quotes I got in Germany were horondous.
1700€ from the Fiat dealer. Less than£500 here at home.
How many miles has it done.
My one managed a further 500 miles after it started slipping

 

[monzer]

60k total mileage but I'd say I must be near 500 miles since this became a real issue. Another 300 miles to rotterdam when I arrive in Germany. It's fine up in 5th gear it's just not liking getting in to reverse and 1st.

Seen as it's the weekend I think I just have to chance it and hope I get to Rotterdam.

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[Landy Andy]

Sounds like clutch isn't fully disengaging. When you go to pull away from a start try putting into either first or reverse before starting the engine.

 

[ivorantony]

Often the synchromesh is stronger on second gear so try putting it in second then straight into first before moving off, keep out of towns and use motorways as much as possible,

 

[ivorantony]

Sounds like clutch isn't fully disengaging. When you go to pull away from a start try putting into either first or reverse before starting the engine.

You can see Andy has a Land Rover by the excellent advice he gives,

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

If possible switch the engine of to put in reverse then restart the engine might help.

 

[Landy Andy]

You can drive a great distance with no clutch, once you get going

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[Silver-Fox]

You can drive a great distance with no clutch, once you get going

You certainly can.

You can also double declutch for a giggle

 

[Carpmart]

Try double or triple pushing the clutch pedal before selecting 1st and reverse, as you would if you were losing hydraulic pressure and were pumping brakes to get a pedal.

 

[monzer]

I've had the van into a garage regarding this. It had freed off on way home allowing easy access to all gears but the pedal seemed a bit high to me and same with biting point.

Garage road tested it and seemed to think it was fine.

Thinking of taking my Spain trip forward so is it worth getting the clutch replaced before I go? Can mechanics identify a fault even if the clutch is still technically working?

 

[1967bowesj]

Could be the fingers on pressure plate are weak or release bearing is worn into the fingers, if it’s original it’s nocking 20 years old, think it wise you get it replaced or at least well looked at.

 

[gus-lopez]

Could be the fingers on pressure plate are weak or release bearing is worn into the fingers, if it’s original it’s nocking 20 years old, think it wise you get it replaced or at least well looked at.

This ^^^^^^^^^^ mine was like that weak clutch plate springs& & bearing worn in to them.always does cause a problem with reverse & 1st but on mine changing down in to 2nd became a problem as well. If it goes in with engine off the clutch needs changing

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[monzer]

This ^^^^^^^^^^ mine was like that weak clutch plate springs& & bearing worn in to them.always does cause a problem with reverse & 1st but on mine changing down in to 2nd became a problem as well. If it goes in with engine off the clutch needs changing

Thanks guys. Does something like the £500 mentioned in post 4 sound about right in the UK?

 

[NigelNovice]

Its these modern plastic clutch master cylinders, just have same with SWMBO Seat Leon, the pedal goes to the floor sometimes, you try pulling the pedal up and then pumping the pedal a few times before trying a gear, about £40 for a cylinder from various online retailers, got one for the Seat just awaiting a window to fit it.

 

[1967bowesj]

Its these modern plastic clutch master cylinders, just have same with SWMBO Seat Leon, the pedal goes to the floor sometimes, you try pulling the pedal up and then pumping the pedal a few times before trying a gear, about £40 for a cylinder from various online retailers, got one for the Seat just awaiting a window to fit it.

Doubt his 2002 will be afflicted with a plastic cylinder, mind do agree newer cars really are not made like they used to be and complex to work on.

 

[bigwood]

A lot years ago my 1960 something MG Midget had clutch problems after a weekend at the Nurburgring. The pedal was solid and would not go down. I had to get back to camp lots of miles away across Germany. At one point I had to cross the Rhine on a little ferry or make a long detour. Trying to drive on without being able to release the clutch was a brown trouser moment because I was first to load. I could see me ending up in the Rhine.
Most sensible people wouldn’t have tried the ferry but when you are young and stupid etc.
The clutch springs had come adrift locking the clutch against the flywheel.

 

[Sue and Rick]

Check under the rubber gaiter on the slave cylinder for fluid.

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[TR5]

The master and slave cylinders are notorious for excessive wear, as they are both plastic, and often start failing. This is the most likely cause of the clutch not disengaging properly. Has the clutch pedal travel and pressure required, changed?

 

[monzer]

The master and slave cylinders are notorious for excessive wear, as they are both plastic, and often start failing. This is the most likely cause of the clutch not disengaging properly. Has the clutch pedal travel and pressure required, changed?

Pedal was close to the floor when the engaging issues were present. When it freed off and I could easily get gears again the pedal was quite high off the floor.