C5 X7 2.0l Hdj Clutch pedal hit the floor

[Estately]

Good evening,
I would like to get some idea of what to expect to repair our C5 VIN VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff].

Whilst driving along and attempting to change gear,

the clutch pedal went to the floor and had to lifted up manually. But of course the clutch could not be operated and the car had to be removed on the bed of a breakdown lorry.

This happened in France Thusday 19 May, we have continued our journey with a hire car, assuming that the clutch slave has failed I am guessing that engine and gearbox will need separating as I think the slave cylinder is inside the Bell housing.

If someone could break it to me gently that would be great. I will update as matters become clearer and no doubt more expensive.

Thanks
Andy

[MattBLancs]

Hi,

Sounds very similar to what I endured recently, though fortunatly for me close to home - driving along normally, put pedal down and it didn't come back up again. Could pull it up by hand but any pressure put on it and it flew down and stayed down (springs on pedal assembly as to why it shoots down so rapidly)

I investigated and came to (incorrect) conclusion that it was the pedal end - master cylinder - at fault. On the basis slave cylinder replaced in 2016 and also as I couldn't seem to get a consistent "squirt" out the disconnected pipework at the slave cylinder connection (connection is external to the gearbox)

However, new master cylinder fitted and pedal still dropped to the floor!

Slave cylinder had failed. On the 2.2 HDi it is inside the gearbox bellhousing (I think the 2.0 uses the same six speed ML gearbox) so box removed to change. 1.6 HDi has BE4, 5 speed gearbox I believe - slave external on those.

Part is cheap (£67 for Valeo from Autodoc) but quite involved to get at it. Make sure you don't loose the little seal on the end of the pipe quick connector - £7 each for tiny lump of plastic!

Good luck, hope you get it sorted ok

Matt

[Estately]

Hi Matt and Thanks,

My misspelt hdj is obviously an HDi 2.0 l. I was being told that it would be 2 weeks before the repair could be done and at least 2000 Euros.

Well it is actually now repaired but a 12 hour drive to go and collect it. Thursday 26 May is French national holiday, so we travel up Thursday, drop off the hire car Friday morning then taxi to the repairer and then drive back.

The repair cost is a shade over 500 Euros and they have replaced both the clutch master and slave cylinders, similar to your own. I am guessing, by the price, that they can be fitted without separating the engine and gearbox.

I will update when I speak to the repairers on Friday, but it did come as an unpleasant surprise, though thankfully it does not seem to be that common a fault. As for the cause, who knows.

Andy.

[MattBLancs]

Glad to hear it's fixed so quickly. Price sounds ok to me given typical labour rates.

Good luck with the collection and hope the drive back is enjoyable

Matt

[Estately]

Well it seems we are the only ones to experience this failure.

Came down through San Sebastian then A23, Spain is unusually green and it wasn't too bad a trip.

The repair has now had a good testing and I'm pleased to say all seems well. The under tray wasn't disturbed so they must have worked from above.

As a non service part I would really like to know the probable cause.

Andy.

[MattBLancs]

Hi Andy,

Glad to hear that all now seems ok. I'll try and conduct a bit of a "postmortem" on my failed slave cylinder when I get chance,

Matt