Technical Clutch.

[Blackie27]

Hi All.

I was looking for a similar post but could not find one.

Has anyone had an issue when their clutch pedal is pressed in for too long (about 15 to 20 seconds) at a busy junction
and then have problem trying to select first gear?

Other than that I have no issues with clutch or gear selection.

Thanks
Ian.

 

[koalar]

Is it the same when the car is parked and the engine is off

 

[Blackie27]

Is it the same when the car is parked and the engine is off

 

[Blackie27]

I have only noticed it when the engine is running.

 

[koalar]

If you test it a few times with the engine off

Any grinding noise, vibration on the stick


We know it's

Hydraulic
Selector mechanism
Clutch release bearing
Selector cables
Gearbox synchro
Gearbox input bearing
Clutch plate dragging

It's now a matter of diagnosing as much as possible

If it still fails with the engine off, we can eliminate two

Couple of quick checks, check the the clutch fluid level and there isn't a carpet stuck under the pedal

 

[Blackie27]

If you test it a few times with the engine off

Any grinding noise, vibration on the stick


We know it's

Hydraulic
Selector mechanism
Clutch release bearing
Selector cables
Gearbox synchro
Gearbox input bearing
Clutch plate dragging

It's now a matter of diagnosing as much as possible

If it still fails with the engine off, we can eliminate two

Couple of quick checks, check the the clutch fluid level and there isn't a carpet stuck under the pedal

No there is no noise, it just will not go into gear..
When I take my foot off the clutch pedal for about 5 seconds then everything works fine again. I thought it might be the slave cylinder maybe needing bled, but not sure.
I have had the car 4 weeks and it has happened twice.

I will give it a go tomorrow with the engine off to see if the issue occurs.

 

[koalar]

If it's only failed twice in 4 weeks is going to be hard to prove

You need to see if you can make it happen by leaving the clutch down, it could have been coincidence, maybe a bit of experimenting

My money is on the selector cables, which you can normally diagnose by putting some thin oil down them at the gearbox end, unfortunately you need to find a way for it to fail more often first

I don't sit with the clutch pressed down it's creates extra unnecessary wear on the clutch parts, if I am waiting at a junction or lights I knock it into neutral and lift the clutch, so I have no idea if any of my Pandas have ever done this

 

[Blackie27]

If it's only failed twice in 4 weeks is going to be hard to prove

You need to see if you can make it happen by leaving the clutch down, it could have been coincidence, maybe a bit of experimenting

My money is on the selector cables, which you can normally diagnose by putting some thin oil down them at the gearbox end, unfortunately you need to find a way for it to fail more often first

I don't sit with the clutch pressed down it's creates extra unnecessary wear on the clutch parts, if I am waiting at a junction or lights I knock it into neutral and lift the clutch, so I have no idea if any of my Pandas have ever done this

Many thanks for your replies and advice.

I will keep trying to source the fault over time and get to the bottom of the issue. I am not a "Car Mechanic", but I
am a qualified "Electrical Mechanical" engineer. I have retired and have started finding my way around and tinkering with cars.

I am vey good a fault finding and never give up. Over the years I have been kept awake at night trying to find a solution to a work related problem, and I have always got there in the end.

As you say it is all about experimenting and elimination. I suppose I was hoping to fined an easy way out and for a quick solution on here. Lol

I have ordered quite a few items to replace i.e. timing belt, water pump, service kit, coolant thermostat, new pads and shoes. There was no indication from the previous owner about the last time these parts were changed. So I though I better be safe than sorry, especially in regards to the Timing Belt.

As I have never carried out a timing belt change, I have ordered a camshaft " Locking Kit". I don't want to feck that one up.

Cheers again.

Ian.

 

[Blackie27]

No there is no noise, it just will not go into gear..
When I take my foot off the clutch pedal for about 5 seconds then everything works fine again. I thought it might be the slave cylinder maybe needing bled, but not sure.
I have had the car 4 weeks and it has happened twice.

I will give it a go tomorrow with the engine off to see if the issue occurs.

Hi Koalar.

I found that the clutch fluid was low so I topped it up today. So-far I have not had any issues.

Fingers crossed your advice has cured my problem.

Many thanks for taking time to assist me with my fault.

Have a nice weekend.
Ian,