Clutch issue

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
Jonathancilia
Posts: 209
Joined: 23 Apr 2019, 17:18
Location: Malta,just under sicily
My Cars: Citroen saxo 1.5D
Lada samara 1.3
x 9

Clutch issue

Post by Jonathancilia »

Hi, my citroen saxo 1.5 diesel is having a bit of trouble shifting lately, mainly into first and reverse, not all the time, sometimes it magically goes away and then comes back.

Gear linkages are new, clutch cable is new, clutch is adjusted a bit high because if it is adjusted the same height as the brake pedal it doesnt go into gear.

This leads me to think its the clutch at fault, any ideas?
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7168
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: Clutch issue

Post by Gibbo2286 »

Does that have an L shaped lever at the box end like the BX? If so have a close look to see if it's split at the middle of the L , they open and close under tension and don't open the clutch enough to clear.

Just guessing really, can't remember the Saxo set up.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
Jonathancilia
Posts: 209
Joined: 23 Apr 2019, 17:18
Location: Malta,just under sicily
My Cars: Citroen saxo 1.5D
Lada samara 1.3
x 9

Re: Clutch issue

Post by Jonathancilia »

It has a lever with a circle in the end where the cable goes in, that is fine its not broken or anything
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Re: Clutch issue

Post by JohnD »

Jonathancilia wrote: 23 Apr 2019, 17:29 Hi, my citroen saxo 1.5 diesel is having a bit of trouble shifting lately, mainly into first and reverse,


How does it shift with the engine not running? Either the clutch is worn or the pedal is incorrectly adjusted. Between fully up and down to the floor, the pedal pad should measure 130mm plus or minus 5mm. That measurement will probably put the pedal a bit higher than the brake pad.
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
Jonathancilia
Posts: 209
Joined: 23 Apr 2019, 17:18
Location: Malta,just under sicily
My Cars: Citroen saxo 1.5D
Lada samara 1.3
x 9

Re: Clutch issue

Post by Jonathancilia »

Shifts fine when off. Clutch pedal was adjusted 130mm or so but was difficult to go in first or reverse, so i adjusted it abit higher and now its abit better
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Clutch issue

Post by white exec »

Check that the oil in the box is 75W-80 GL-4 (eg Total Transmission 8), and not GL-4/5 or -5, or anything heavier, such as 75W-90. Difficulty in engaging gears can result from incorrect oil.
Chris
Jonathancilia
Posts: 209
Joined: 23 Apr 2019, 17:18
Location: Malta,just under sicily
My Cars: Citroen saxo 1.5D
Lada samara 1.3
x 9

Re: Clutch issue

Post by Jonathancilia »

75w80 is in the box at the moment
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Clutch issue

Post by white exec »

...and GL-4 (the important bit) ?

Just thought that was worth checking, especially as you've already checked out pedal movement and mechanism.
Chris
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Re: Clutch issue

Post by JohnD »

If you do find that you need a new clutch there are some great offers for Saxo clutches on eBay just now. There's a Borg&Beck 3 parts for £60 including delivery (in the UK) Yesterday I bought an original three-part + the alignment tool from a Peugeot garage for £68 including carriage. I guess the demand for them has fallen away.
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
Jonathancilia
Posts: 209
Joined: 23 Apr 2019, 17:18
Location: Malta,just under sicily
My Cars: Citroen saxo 1.5D
Lada samara 1.3
x 9

Re: Clutch issue

Post by Jonathancilia »

No. GL5 i got in mine. But it has been in there for 25k kms if its bad it will exhibit symptoms from the beginning no?. Im going to buy a sachs clutch kit. For my diesel engine im told i need a 180mm clutch diameter. With the pressure plate with the bolt holes evenly spaced as opposed to the early model which has the bolts spaced in pairs. Is this right?

And are there any differences in the clutch release bearing? Or are they all the same
Jonathancilia
Posts: 209
Joined: 23 Apr 2019, 17:18
Location: Malta,just under sicily
My Cars: Citroen saxo 1.5D
Lada samara 1.3
x 9

Re: Clutch issue

Post by Jonathancilia »

Clutch pedal is adjusted at 150mm height at the moment. If i go lower it will be difficult to engage gears
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Clutch issue

Post by white exec »

GL-5 it seems can progressively compromise the smooth action of the brass synchronesh rings used in PSA (and some other) gearboxes, resulting in notchy or difficult gear engagement, which is why GL-4 (with a different level of of anti-friction additives) is specified.

Good few of us who have realised this easy mistake, and have switched to the correct oil, have found improved gearbox function. In my own case (same error on both XM and RAV4) the improvement was noticeable, but took a couple of weeks of running to fully work in.

You could well have a clutch problem. The reason I suggested a GL-4 check was simply because it is so straightforward (and cheap) to do.
Chris
Jonathancilia
Posts: 209
Joined: 23 Apr 2019, 17:18
Location: Malta,just under sicily
My Cars: Citroen saxo 1.5D
Lada samara 1.3
x 9

Re: Clutch issue

Post by Jonathancilia »

I will change it out if gl4 is the correct oil then. Im thinking that the clutch is at fault because it is relative to the clutch adjustment. And this happened from a day to another. One day it was good the other it started to grind gear.
Jonathancilia
Posts: 209
Joined: 23 Apr 2019, 17:18
Location: Malta,just under sicily
My Cars: Citroen saxo 1.5D
Lada samara 1.3
x 9

Re: Clutch issue

Post by Jonathancilia »

I will buy a clutch kit just in case. It is due anyway, the adjustment in the clutch is almost all the way back, so its wise to buy one for when it fails. Is sachs a good brand for a saxo?
Dibber
Posts: 56
Joined: 19 Mar 2019, 10:26
Location: Scotland
My Cars: Citroen C2 Furio
x 4

Re: Clutch issue

Post by Dibber »

It does sound like the symptoms of a worn out clutch release bearing. Sachs is a good brand.
Post Reply