clutch issue on (2.0l xantia turbo) 1996

[spliffy]

hi all cheers for your help with the last problem this forum is simply exellent. I have another problem, all of a sudden iv noticed my clutch pedal has gone weird.
On the first 3 inches theres nothing it only disengages on the last 2 inches.
Gears seem to be working ok but iv got to push the pedal right to the floor and if i have the car mat up and under the pedals as usual i cant get gears. The pedal sometimes seems to stick just before the free travel i.e 3 inches from the top.(now and again)
Pumping the pedal does not make more travel.
Does it sound like a hydraulic fault or a thust bearing/plate fault.
By the way its making no unusual noices.

[CitroJim]

If it has suddenly gone from biting near the top of the pedal travel as most hydraulic Xantia clutches do, to right to the bottom almost than you have grounds to make an investigation pronto.

Generally the hydraulics are reliable. However, it's worth looking at the end of the master cylinder in the drivers footwell for leaks of brake fluid and doing the same on the lowest part oft he gearbox bell housing as a fluid leak from the clutch hydraulics could cause this. The clutch hydraulics use normal brake fluid.

Also, if you can reach in, pop the lid of the clutch master cylinder reservoir (it lives on the bulkhead in the engine bay and is a bit shy) and check it is brim-full.

As the clutch is a pull-typre with a captive release bearing it is possible the release bearing is pulling itself out of the diaphragm spring. It is secured in there by a wire C clip and they have been know to tear completely free. If they do pull free the clutch slave cylinder will push itself apart and deposit itself in the bellhousing as a kit of parts.

They slave can be reassembled but bleeding is a whole world of pain.

So, if the hydraulics seem good based on the above tests then I'd get a new clutch fitted post-haste just in case the worst happens.

Oddly, all hydraulic clutches I've know have the bite point near the top of the pedal travel except my own Activa. That's quite low-down but as it's always been like this then it's not a problem. If it suddenly changed, as yours appears to have, then I would be worried.

[spliffy]

as i said before jim the pedal is sticking above the biting point then it release on its own accord back to the top what does that sound like

[CitroJim]

as i said before jim the pedal is sticking above the biting point then it release on its own accord back to the top what does that sound like

I'd say that sounds like the release bearing is unhappy as I alluded to in my first reply Spliffy. That thought is reinforced by the fact that it seems to be sticking at the release point.

[spliffy]

sorry its been a while replying , took my car into citroen specialist to get clutch diagnosed , slave cylinder is leaking , they topped up fluid and clutch been ok since ( but still leaking ) got me on holiday thank god .
Anyway got a quote of ( are you sat down ) £350 for slave cylinder apparantly only comes complete with solid plastic pipe and master cylinder attached !! they wanted £ 300 to fit it (ouch !!) so i said no thanks . Is there a cheaper way of doing this ?? cheers.

[myglaren]

Jim certainly has a fix BUT if it can be substituted the C5 has a bleed nipple on it and appears to be replaceable on its own, not the whole system as with the Xantia.

Xantia HDis could possibly be the same.

[HDI Dave]

on the first 3 inches theres nothing it only disengages on the last 2 inches.
Gears seem to be working ok but iv got to push the pedal right to the floor and if i have the car mat up and under the pedals as usual i cant get gears.

I've just had this on mine, (altho I rebuilt my clutch system 2 years ago ish so I thought it might need a tweak).

Simple fix for me this time!

The tiny round bulkhead reservoir (the 'sealed' one,which says 'do not open' on it ) was empty. I'd only rough guessed my level anyway, as there's a rubber insert inside the 'res. Re filled it half way, and when caps on the clutch pedal pumped up fine..has been fine for the last week


"Anyway got a quote of ( are you sat down ) £350 for slave cylinder apparantly only comes complete with solid plastic pipe and master cylinder attached !! they wanted £ 300 to fit it (ouch !!) so i said no thanks . Is there a cheaper way of doing this ?? cheers."

Yup, they quoted me 450 iirc.. Pahh..sealed my a$$ (can i say that?change to difficult if offended )

I am off on a rare night out! so please search my 'clutch slave kaputt' or something like that thread.

If you're ok with a spanner it's not too difficult..Between me and Jim etc we got a novice on the road when his slave was knackered.

.helluva lot cheaper too,under £50, or even cheaper from the scrappers,(slave cylinder)

Jim around?

ok, parte' for me