Hi guys. After driving a horrid hire car for a few days I’m home and Fred’s clutch feels ever so heavy. Maybe the cables got a bit tight or maybe the clutch needs changing. Think I’ll change the cable first. I have done a few clutch changes but it’s been a while. Anything to watch for please? Car has done 200,000kms, I’ve had her for the last 100,000 so pretty sure this would still be the first clutch.
Thanks.
Xantia - heavy clutch
Moderator: RichardW
Xantia - heavy clutch
Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
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- Donor 2023
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- My Cars: 2013 Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.6HDi - FD63 FWA VF3**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1995 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD S1 - M728 GDL VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1996 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD SX S1 - N707 MGP (Currrently laid up)
2000 Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi S2 - X435 JGJ VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] (Clutch died Dec 2017 - Resurrected Easter Sunday 2021)
1997 Citroen ZX SX TD - P788 AJL
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Oh! and two Harley Davidsons - A 1990 Sportster and a 2003 Fatboy 100th Anniversary (the only vehicle I have owned from new) - x 78
Re: Xantia - heavy clutch
They normally go around that region. Think my old S1 went at 140,000 miles.
Check the cable adjustment by measuring pedal height! The other issue with these is that if it is out of adjustment, one day you'll push the clutch pedal down and it won't come back up. There is a little plastic clip that secures the clutch cable to the pedal and it is an horrendous job to change. Car seat out, lie upside down for a couple of hours, unbolt the pedal box, put it all back together and then a visit to an osteopath to realign your body...
Check the cable adjustment by measuring pedal height! The other issue with these is that if it is out of adjustment, one day you'll push the clutch pedal down and it won't come back up. There is a little plastic clip that secures the clutch cable to the pedal and it is an horrendous job to change. Car seat out, lie upside down for a couple of hours, unbolt the pedal box, put it all back together and then a visit to an osteopath to realign your body...
- chinkostu
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- My Cars: N Xantia 1.9TD SX
03 Fiesta 1.4 Zetec - x 30
Re: Xantia - heavy clutch
I remember the TD being a pull clutch that when they start getting on a bit the pedal goes heavy owing to the fingers on the pressure plate.
Mines always been a touch heavy but i'm leaving it until I have a good week to tear everything down to do cable and clip too. Tbh mines been heavy for the last 4 years!
Mines always been a touch heavy but i'm leaving it until I have a good week to tear everything down to do cable and clip too. Tbh mines been heavy for the last 4 years!
Stu
Cars
1995 Xantia 1.9TD SX in (faded) Red
2003 Fiesta 1.4 Zetec in GREEEEEEEN
2001 206 1.9 LX
2001 Saxo VTR
1999 Saxo 1.1 East coast
1999 Punto
1996 306 1.8 XN Auto
1996 Fiesta 1.3
Cars
1995 Xantia 1.9TD SX in (faded) Red
2003 Fiesta 1.4 Zetec in GREEEEEEEN
2001 206 1.9 LX
2001 Saxo VTR
1999 Saxo 1.1 East coast
1999 Punto
1996 306 1.8 XN Auto
1996 Fiesta 1.3
- Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur
- (Donor 2018)
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- x 232
Re: Xantia - heavy clutch
I concur with Stu, think it very likely the pressure plate's on its way out; and he's also right about the TD being a 'pull' clutch
Seeing as its only the hire car that's highlighted the issue I'd be inclined to live with it til it demands attention unless you're desperate to enjoy doing the job
Seeing as its only the hire car that's highlighted the issue I'd be inclined to live with it til it demands attention unless you're desperate to enjoy doing the job
Puxa
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Re: Xantia - heavy clutch
The XMs were the same but they would go on for many thousands of miles providing the cable didn't break and I think the cable is easier to change on the XM than th Xantia.
Peter
Peter
- moizeau
- (Donor 2022)
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AND a 1980 Z650 (my moped) - x 315
Re: Xantia - heavy clutch
I got given my BX in 2005 by my parents when they bought a newer car and the garage wasn't interested in a part chop. They were told after a previous service that the clutch was a little heavy and the fingers were probably getting tired. It's done another 140000miles since, no problems at all. I must be lucky, I've had 3 cars with over 200000m and all on original clutches. One did 450000 on the original. The gearbox was nicely 'bedded in' and you only needed to use the clutch for pulling away and down shifting! If it's not knackered leave it alone, old cars don't like change. Similar to rattles, if it still rattles it's still there. It's when the rattle stops...
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
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- Moderating Team
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- Location: Charmouth,Dorset
- My Cars: Currently:
C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red
In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars. - x 1199
Re: Xantia - heavy clutch
We had a TZD estate many years ago until someone ran into the back of it and wrote it off, lovely car for its day. Most of my diesels have been high mileage ones, I had two XM 2.1s with nearly 300k on them, the clutch started slipping on one and I still did about another 15k in it by not allowing it to slip.
Reliability is mostly dependent on the way you drive, it sounds as though you drive like me, but I don't suppose you'r as old.
Peter
Reliability is mostly dependent on the way you drive, it sounds as though you drive like me, but I don't suppose you'r as old.
Peter
- moizeau
- (Donor 2022)
- Posts: 1580
- Joined: 12 Jan 2015, 16:08
- Location: France 36
- My Cars: 91 BX TZD Estate. Dead but loved
407 HDI 136 auto
C4 2l petrol coupé
2010 Dispatch III HDI 90
AND a 1980 Z1000ST
AND a 1983 GPz1100 inj
AND a 1995 Zephyr 1100
AND a 1980 Z650 (my moped) - x 315
Re: Xantia - heavy clutch
Probably do drive like you.
Rule 1: Never hold it stationary on the clutch.
Habit 1: Pull away without touching the accelerator until the clutch is released then free to go.
Age wise, I've no idea, it makes no odds. I've always driven cars like this. Doesn't mean you're slow, just smooth. One of the smoothest and fastest chaps I rode with was during my advanced bike test, retired bike copper on a Pan. Whipped me round the small lanes. I was on a Blackbird! Smooth is efficient and if you want fast.
Rule 1: Never hold it stationary on the clutch.
Habit 1: Pull away without touching the accelerator until the clutch is released then free to go.
Age wise, I've no idea, it makes no odds. I've always driven cars like this. Doesn't mean you're slow, just smooth. One of the smoothest and fastest chaps I rode with was during my advanced bike test, retired bike copper on a Pan. Whipped me round the small lanes. I was on a Blackbird! Smooth is efficient and if you want fast.
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
-
- Moderating Team
- Posts: 11563
- Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
- Location: Charmouth,Dorset
- My Cars: Currently:
C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red
In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars. - x 1199
Re: Xantia - heavy clutch
Slow and smooth makes the fuel go further
Peter
Peter
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- x 31
Re: Xantia - heavy clutch
They can be quite heavy for a long time, they can have a high bite point for a long time, ISTR engaging the clutch release fork with the thrust bearing requires a leap of faith. buy one of those clutch cable clips and carry it as a lucky charm
BXs since 1993 built 1.9 TZD turbo, got a S2 Xantia estate, brilliant car! 2013, Xantia HDI LX 110 2000 new car with 122,000, l C2 HDI Rusty rocket, C3 Picasso HDI new to me.
Re: Xantia - heavy clutch
Thanks folks. Haven’t done anything about it yet...hopefully she lasts the summer. The pedal is a bit high but no slipping. I will get one of the clips. I’ve never changed a pull type clutch, though I’ve done at least a dozen normal ones. Something to not look forward to.
Fred, a silver 1998 1.9TD SX Xantia.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.
Gwin, a white 1994 1.1 AX.