Sticky clutch???

[72BUG]

Ok so we've had our new (to us) bus for a week now so this weekend we decided to have a run out to pick up a roof rack then on to see some friends. Saturday approx 200 miles and ran like a dream. Sunday making our way back home again ran like a dream until we called in to see some other friends about 15 miles from home.

So after the compulsory cups of tea and about an hours chat we got back in the bus to get on our merry way. I put it in reverse and crunch! No clutch. Tried all the other gears and same result.

So I then tried the usual stuff. Does the clutch pedal feel normal. Yes, nice and springy no foot to the floor moments. Is the fluid level ok? After about 20 minutes of looking for the resevoir and ringing a friend (well bugger me its hidden inside the dash behind the speedo! Of course it is, where else would it be?) yes it's fine. Any leaks? Nope dry as a bone under the van. Is the linkage still in tact? Yes, without the engine running the gears select fine.

This is the point where I ran out of ideas and rang the RAC.

So an hour and a half later along came the RAC man in his bright orange van full of self importance with his flashy lights. I explained the sympoms and he put it in gear with his foot on the clutch and turned the starter. The van lurched forward a few feet then the clutch freed off and away she went.

Right long story short this happened about another 3 times before I got home. It would appear to the untrained observer (me) that for some reason the clutch is sticking to the flywheel. Sometimes it feels like everythings fine but it makes a horrible clunk when I put it in reverse.

Anyone got any ideas what's causing this? It's run fine up until today with silky smooth gear changes and the biting point is only about 2/3 - 3/4 of the way up the pedal.

It's a 1982 2ltr Aircooled.

Is this a new clutch job? If so what's the approximate cost fitted?

Thanks

Martin

[toomanytoys]

Poss rust or crud on the input shaft preventing the plate moving away from the flywheel.. but as soon as the pressure is lifted off the pressure plate it would slip... But for the plate to grip that well something would have to be quite damaged...

More likely it could be the spigot bearing failed/failing.. either way you dont want to be going anywhere in it as all you are going to do is wreck it some more...
Its an engine/gearbox out job I am afraid so while its apart for the 90 ish quid in parts a new clutch is worth doing.. depending on whats gone wrong... Might need an input shaft if the bearing has chewed it up...

I aint to far from you...

[72BUG]

Poss rust or crud on the input shaft preventing the plate moving away from the flywheel.. but as soon as the pressure is lifted off the pressure plate it would slip... But for the plate to grip that well something would have to be quite damaged...

More likely it could be the spigot bearing failed/failing.. either way you dont want to be going anywhere in it as all you are going to do is wreck it some more...
Its an engine/gearbox out job I am afraid so while its apart for the 90 ish quid in parts a new clutch is worth doing.. depending on whats gone wrong... Might need an input shaft if the bearing has chewed it up...

I aint to far from you...

Thanks

Sent you PM

[rallyraid]

Sounds the same as my problem i posted earlier. I cant help, but if i find anything i'll let you know!

[72BUG]

Sounds the same as my problem i posted earlier. I cant help, but if i find anything i'll let you know!

Just read your thread. Sounds very similar to what's happening with mine. Looks like a strip down and possible new clutch just a week after I bought the van.

Welcome to the joys of T25 ownership eh

[toomanytoys]

Oops... its double posted...

[toomanytoys]

I am afraid its the reality of buying a 30 year old vehicle I am afraid...

I have a 1983 caravelle 2wd, one of the first wbx, owned it 10 years and done prob 200k miles in it.. easier to say the only thing I havent rebuilt is the gearbox (and that will be done soon)...
The Syncro Doka is one of the last built 1992.. its had quite a bit of effort and cash so far.. a little more to come too...

But I wouldnt give em up without a fight...

[72BUG]

Ok just to update. Just been ou in the van and it seems the repair faries have been at it in the night.

Gear changes are once again silky smoothe both up and down. The only symptom that anything was ever wrong is a very slight clunk when putting it in reverse that wasn't there before. I've had this happen on several vehicles so I know it's not uncommon.

What I'm thinking (i.e hoping) now is that maybe it was just a bit of rust or crud on the flywheel stopping it from disengaging properly, or maybe a slightly siezed but now freed thrust release bearing. Would this make sense?

I know the sensible thing to do would be to strip it down, check everything and put a new clutch in but I can't justify the expense when everything is (for the moment ) running fine.

[rallyraid]

Mine's going in to a garage on Wed(Cardiff Aircooled). He says £175 plus cost of clutch ( £80) plus VAT.

Doesn't sound too bad . I'd try myself but just don't have time.

Just got to transport it there 12 miles! Hmmmmm.

[toomanytoys]

Rust on the flywheel will have been wiped off within a short time..
siezed thrust bearing would have "screamed" and most likely collapsed..

Does sound very much like a spigot bearing problem... but as I said.. we cant be sure until its opened..