First Glitch - Soft Clutch Pedal

[k1ano]

Interesting one this ...

Got the V out the garage today to go for a spin. Had a clunk as I pulled out the garage as if the brakes had stuck on, but I tend to leave the handbrake off anyway - I do leave it in gear though. Don't know how relevant this is but thought i'd mention it anyway.

I managed to pull out the garage OK but when I stopped to shut the garage door and tried to set off again I couldn't get the car in gear. All selectors were working OK as I could hear and see them operating, when I took the engine cover off and moved the stick. One of the benefits of having the engine inside the car !

I realised quite quickly it was the clutch. The pedal had become very soft and went to the floor with very little effort - almost like it was full of air. I could feel pulsing on the clutch hydraulic pipe but it was very slight. I figured the clutch arm wasn't operating the clutch correctly not allowing it to clear.

I was a bit worried as to what to do, I could only get the car in gear with the engine off - not much fun.

Anwyay after a bit of head scratching I pumped the pedal vigourously and the pedal seemed to be restored a bit. The bite point was very low though but at least I could engage gears. I am always up for taking a risk so I went for a drive and the clutch operation got better and after a few miles returned to normal. Strange ...

The level on the fluid reservoir is above min but not up to max, I don't suspect a leak but will top it back up at some point and monitor. I was actually surprised to find it was hydraulic but can't see the slave cylinder, but didn't really take much of a look either. It looks, on quick glance to be inside the bell housing rather than bolted to the outsied of it ?

Any ideas or anyone with similar issues with the clutch pedal operation ?

Martin

 

[® Andy]

Martin ... the only clutch hydraulics related problem I can recall was when somebody (maybe Peter?) managed to get air into the clutch side of the system (since I believe the whole system is shared with the braking circuits!?) after some over vigorous driving (maybe at Clarkie's airfield?).

Sorry it's so vague .

 

[k1ano]

The only think I can think of is air in the system but can't explain how other than low levels - I will top these up anyway as I always like to be near maximum.

The brake pads are all OK but as there are 8 pistons on the front pair of calipers I expect there is quiet a relative drop for a small amount of pad wear.

I noticed the reservoir was shared too between clutch and brakes. Come to mention it brakes have been a little off too i.e. I seem to have to press harder and there isn't quite the feel that I remembered when I first got the car - hmmm.

Martin

 

[philthy]

mine is always marshmallowy when cold or been sitting for a week or so, then after a few miles of use its back to having some return(push back) on it.

 

[Ginagarus]

If the clutch feels soft it could be air as you say, also if you stamp on the pedal does it work? could be passing in one of the cylinders? just another thought for you to try. :wink:

 

[DennisV6]

Definetely sounds like Air in the system to me, had mine parked on a slope and was just enough to let air into the pipe.

Made getting it into gear a nightmare.

Have a look on your brake fluid resevoir and look how far up the pipe is.

Its only gotta get slightly low and the air gets in.

You still got a warranty?

AA came out and bled mine for free.

 

[John V6]

Clutch could have gone, release bearing etc