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clutch problems in sw wales

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 10:24
by j_robi
after being a leaving the van for the weekend, i return to find that the clutch pedal goes straight to the floor, and now obviously wont engage any gears. there were no signs when i left it on friday that the clutch was on its way out. could it be the cable gone, or will it be the clutch itself, or something else? how do i check to see what the problem is? expense to repair? its a hydraulic clutch system. im not sure when the fluid was topped up last, wish id checked now, the joy of heinsite!
thanks for your assistance in advance

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 10:41
by Anonymous
First thing is to check if there's any fluid in the reservoir. Pull the top of the speedo panel (2 indents at the back for your fingers, its a tug!) and there is the reservoir.
If its low, then you have a leak somewhere.
If you just want to get it moved to work on it, fill up fluid and pump the clutch pedal up and down a few times, you'll eventually get "some" pedal back but not much.
Now its time to look at the slave cylinder at the back (from underneath) and check out the hard line going to it to see if its corroded away.
If its leaking, the process of pumping the pedal will have thrown fluid out so it should be obvious where the prob is.
Small chance that the Clutch master cylinder has gone... but more likely to be slave cyl.
MG

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 10:44
by protexblue
Sounds like you've lost fluid, check your master and slave cylinders, and piping in between. Oh and don't check the cable coz you aint got one. :wink:

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 11:27
by Diamond Hell
Fluid resevoir is in the instrument binnacle on the dash, if you've not topped it up before you'll need to grab the cover at the back with your hands and pull it up and forwards with some force (I know this will feel against your loving nature and feelings towards your bus, but deal with it). You'll then be able to see the resevoir.

In addition, if you crawl under the back of the bus and peel the rubber boot off the slave and any fluid comes out then you'll know that's goosed too (or not).

How far in South Welsh are you? Assistance can available if it's not too far!

clutch

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 13:44
by j_robi
have ripped the dash off, can see a reservoir (white tanks, black screw on cap), is that the clutch fluid? (where is the brake fluid tank?)
if that is the clutch fluid there is some in it, but its by no means full, how full should it be?
will try the pumping later, and try to get it off the middle of uni campus!
cheers

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 13:59
by tonytech
Brake and clutch share resevoire.

T

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 15:06
by j_robi
how full should the tank be?

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 15:15
by protexblue
There should be a line that says MAX on it.

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 16:24
by guerrero
Top tip !.....

spend some of your student loan on a Haynes manual you'll need it !

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 18:48
by j_robi
ordered a haynes manual, think its going to be a good friend! have just checked the fluid tank, its empty. guessing theres a leak somewhere!!
where is the problem likely to be? what is the best way of going around sorting it? guess i need to put some brake fluid in....

Posted: 07 Nov 2005, 22:29
by Diamond Hell
Go find the clutch slave and give the rubber boot a tug - if fluid comes out then it's there.

Alternatively check the fluid lines on your (elderly) vehicle. That includes the brake lines. Where there's a shared res it could be brake or clutch (sounds like clutch if nothing at all on pedal though).

Another issue with the shared res is that when you've topped it up you'll need to bleed brakes and clutch, to make sure you can brake and change gear!

clutch

Posted: 11 Nov 2005, 18:20
by j_robi
ok, i have checked it out, its the a leak in the clutch slave cylinder.
im in bristol now
does anyone have one of these? thomas?
please!!

Posted: 11 Nov 2005, 18:34
by R0B
gsf do them..look here

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/

Posted: 11 Nov 2005, 19:52
by j_robi
thanks for that
any other options?

Posted: 11 Nov 2005, 20:45
by Diamond Hell
EuroCan'tParts in Filton do them.