clutch disengaging when pedal down..?

[apcomark]

Hi

was in traffic earlier and put my foot on the clutch as you do in traffic ... after about 30 seconds the clutch started to disengage although the pedal was down to engage it whilst in gear (yet at a stop in traffic)

the van eventually tried to creep forward (even though clutch pedal all the way down) and i had to keep my foot on the brake to stop inching forward .... eventually the van stalled .... it keeps doing this ...was wondering if anyone could tell me whats causing it ...seems quite intermitent at the moment ...but ominous nonetheless....

rgds mark

[72BUG]

You might want to pm Si "Toomanytoys".

He's the man when it comes to all things clutch / gearbox related.

I had a similar problem but it cured itself in a couple of days and has never done it since so I just put it down to crud on the flywheel.

[Martin]

sound like air in the clutch fluid and needs the fluid changing and bleeding.

[VWCamperfan]

Check master cylinder at top of pedal isn't leaking and the same for the slave cylinder at gearbox end. Sounds like fluid is creeping past the seals and will probably be leaking out by now.
Check level of fluid in resorviour too. If low you could well have air in system and will need bleeding. You will need to keep an eye on this level too as it will creep down if the seals are leaking and letting fluid past.

[Red Westie]

Clutch pedal down = DISENGAGE
Clutch pedal up = ENGAGE

If there is no leak at the rear (slave cylinder) then as the previous poster has said, it sounds like fluid leaking past the clutch master cyclinder seals.
You would be advised to try and bleed the clutch first and then test but on probability I would say the clutch master cylinder is failing.

Martin

[apcomark]

hi

thanks for the info folks.... yep master cylinder is leaking, not a lot but deffo leaking...can see fluid by base of steering.....

how do i fit a new one ...? cant see how too get it out ... do i have to take instrument panel/dash out...???? aint a lot of room...

guess needs bleeding too...

any advice....?

[kevtherev]

if you have a Haynes it's a simple proceedure

[billy739]

your not to far away , and i have to got to ross later in the week if you need parts , or help/advice?

[apcomark]

hi

fixed now ...got a new master cyl from gsf .... fitted it today ....

GGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRR... to just kampers manual .... told me to take out split pin ...didint realise plunger came out of cylinder thought it ws connected ...spent all day upside down trying to get at split pin....

clutch seems ok ....bites very low and vicious ..seem a bit spongy ...might just be my paranoia....(",)..........reckon it might need bleeding .... do i need mechanical bleeding system ....anyone...????? or do i just undo blled nut on slave and pump through

thanks for the help everyone... especially billy ....nice to know someone local ...

rgds Mark

[billy739]

make sure fluid is topped up.
pump the clutch a couple of times then 'hold it down'
whilst pushed down get someone to open the bleed nipple on the slave cylinder on the gearbox(slowly)
when fluid stops coming out close the nipple.
repeat a few times .

keep the fluid level up
that should do it.
7mm spaner on bleed nipple from memory.