Christmas Clutch Cheer

Dvorak · 16th December 2013, 09:29

Hi guys,

I hope everyone's having a good December.

This isn't a problem so much as paranoia I think. I have a 52 plate CDT, and I love her to bits (she's called Victoria).

I came to drive her this morning after a few weeks of neglect, and though the clutch feels really good, it doesn't feel normal. It's very heavy (I'm used to this) and has no real bite point - just a sort of gradual fade in of power quite near to the floor. It feels great and is perfectly easy to use, but I'm worried that it might be on the way out (all original at 86k) - December is not the best time to ask Andy to come up to Cumbria to fix!

What do you think?

Thank you!

stevestrat · 16th December 2013, 09:39

If the biting point is heading south towards the shagpile it's more likely to be hydraulic rather than the clutch itself. Check the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir (top of clutch pedal) and top up if necessary, may require bleeding after topping up.

Dvorak · 16th December 2013, 09:45

Thanks Steve. I will check that this evening. Is it normal behaviour not to have a definite level at which you can feel the clutch engage? I guessed it was some smoothing effect of the DMF but I'm not sure.

stevestrat · 16th December 2013, 10:42

Can't say I've ever come across a "wandering" biting point other than it heading for the floor if the fluid starts getting low. Could be something about diesels?

andy willi · 16th December 2013, 17:48

i would advise you to bleed it asap i will be around all Christmas if you need help

andy

Dvorak · 16th December 2013, 19:19

That's good to know! Thanks Andy.

I went out and had a play - There is some play in the pedal before it feels like I'm putting pressure on the fluid. Does this mean a bleed is in order, or is this something about the clutch pivot before the hydraulic system starts? I'm just a bit wary of trying to bleed because I'm possibly the worst mechanic in the world - is there a really easy tutorial somewhere?

RPWC · 16th December 2013, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dvorak

That's good to know! Thanks Andy.

I went out and had a play - There is some play in the pedal before it feels like I'm putting pressure on the fluid. Does this mean a bleed is in order, or is this something about the clutch pivot before the hydraulic system starts? I'm just a bit wary of trying to bleed because I'm possibly the worst mechanic in the world - is there a really easy tutorial somewhere?

get yourself a couple of large syringes and a length of clear pipe the same diameter of the bleed pipe, make sure you have supply of fluid available.
use the first syringe to top up the master, then the second to bleed the clutch. Open the bleed valve once the pipe is secured to the end of it, then suck the fluid through checking for bubbles. Once syringe is full, close the bleed valve. Then repeat the process until there are no bubbles coming through when you suck the fluid through the valve.

16th December 2013, 09:29	#1
Dvorak Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon CDT Copperleaf Red Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cumbria/Oxford Posts: 100 Thanks: 7 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Christmas Clutch Cheer Hi guys, I hope everyone's having a good December. This isn't a problem so much as paranoia I think. I have a 52 plate CDT, and I love her to bits (she's called Victoria). I came to drive her this morning after a few weeks of neglect, and though the clutch feels really good, it doesn't feel normal. It's very heavy (I'm used to this) and has no real bite point - just a sort of gradual fade in of power quite near to the floor. It feels great and is perfectly easy to use, but I'm worried that it might be on the way out (all original at 86k) - December is not the best time to ask Andy to come up to Cumbria to fix! What do you think? Thank you!

16th December 2013, 09:39	#2
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,573 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	If the biting point is heading south towards the shagpile it's more likely to be hydraulic rather than the clutch itself. Check the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir (top of clutch pedal) and top up if necessary, may require bleeding after topping up. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

16th December 2013, 10:42	#4
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,573 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Can't say I've ever come across a "wandering" biting point other than it heading for the floor if the fluid starts getting low. Could be something about diesels? __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

16th December 2013, 09:45	#3
Dvorak Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon CDT Copperleaf Red Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cumbria/Oxford Posts: 100 Thanks: 7 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks Steve. I will check that this evening. Is it normal behaviour not to have a definite level at which you can feel the clutch engage? I guessed it was some smoothing effect of the DMF but I'm not sure.

16th December 2013, 17:48	#5
andy willi I really should get out more....... PRE LAUNCH 75/ZT 190/XJ 550 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: carcroft doncaster Posts: 2,866 Thanks: 101 Thanked 680 Times in 342 Posts	i would advise you to bleed it asap i will be around all Christmas if you need help andy

16th December 2013, 19:19	#6
Dvorak Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon CDT Copperleaf Red Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cumbria/Oxford Posts: 100 Thanks: 7 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	That's good to know! Thanks Andy. I went out and had a play - There is some play in the pedal before it feels like I'm putting pressure on the fluid. Does this mean a bleed is in order, or is this something about the clutch pivot before the hydraulic system starts? I'm just a bit wary of trying to bleed because I'm possibly the worst mechanic in the world - is there a really easy tutorial somewhere?