Clutch!

[Retro82]

Evening everyone, just had my van recovered after losing power on the road tried changing down but still losing power until eventually putting it in 1st at a roundabout made a sudden jault then the clutch pedal went completely slack... And the gear stick wouldn't select anything? I let everything cool down after being worked up from having to push the van off a big roundabout and busy traffic and realised if I pushed the gear stick up with pressure it would constantly drive but still no tension or a slight vibrating feeling in the pedal but no mechanical grinding noises? Thankfully. Any help or advice to look for ? Cables or linkages or new clutch plates?

[Ian Hulley]

Engine type ? Age ? Cable clutch (aircold 1.6) or hydraulic ? etc etc

[Retro82]

1.9 watercooled c reg caravelle

[kevtherev]

Hydraulic clutch then
Could be slave or mastercylinder fail.

When you depress the clutch have someone look at the slave arm and see if it moves
I trust you have checked the reservoir?

[Retro82]

No it's not yet down at the garage got to go see it tomorrow I probably will fix it myself as I don't like paying for help . Yes I will check the slave and master cylinder. Do these normally go? The van has done 81000 miles I thought it might be a linkage pin or bracket?

[Plasticman]

or a nice pipe has split
mm

[Retro82]

Ok we' ll I shall update tomorrow on the progress , how do I know if the master cylinder has gone ?

[Ian Hulley]

Ok we' ll I shall update tomorrow on the progress , how do I know if the master cylinder has gone ?

Most common fail is the slave (check for fluid loss into the rubber bellows) Master cylinder usaully manifests by clutch/brake fluid running down the back of the pedals onto the carpet/mat. Clutch pipe usually goes above the fuel tank or where it passes (and rattles ) through the chassis crossmembers. Mr Baxter does a repair section I believe (2 compression fittings and a length of kunifer).

Ian.

[kevtherev]

No it's not yet down at the garage got to go see it tomorrow I probably will fix it myself as I don't like paying for help . Yes I will check the slave and master cylinder. Do these normally go? The van has done 81000 miles I thought it might be a linkage pin or bracket?

Remote diagnosis is difficult.
We here can't see your issue.
So our comments are based on your descriptions and any effort to find the fault.
Like any component on the van cylinder seals fail
If the fluid isn't changed regularly water is absorbed and this will have an effect on the cylinder bores.
I could even be a clutch pressure plate problem.

[printmonkey]

My clutch pedal went straight to the floor yesterday on the way to the MOT test station. Fun times

[Retro82]

Fluid reservoir is full no leaks but bottom of engine is stinking of heard oil sounds like the clutch seal has gone? Can I replace the clutch myself do I need to take the engine out to work on it

[Ian Hulley]

Fluid reservoir is full no leaks but bottom of engine is stinking of heard oil sounds like the clutch seal has gone? Can I replace the clutch myself do I need to take the engine out to work on it

You need to start off by doing a search ... this was covered earlier in the week.

[kevtherev]

bottom of engine is stinking of heard oil

eh?
it smells of loud oil?