lubricating clutch on xant-1.9td

deian · Unread post by **deian** » 14 Dec 2009, 19:48

My goodness, what did I see before me, after taking the airbox off, another cover bolted onto the gearbox covered in cables and pipes, how on earth do you guys lubricate the clutch mechanism without taking that plastic cover off.

In all honesty, the engine bay in the xantia 1.9td is pretty crowded, nice but crowded, my wife's golf 1.6 of the same year is so so so prehistoric in comparison.

Any ideas? It does seem dry and catching and stiff.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Dec 2009, 21:06

Call a 1.9TD engine bay crowded Dei? Try telling that to a V6 owner

That plastic cover will come off but it's a swine to do. Basically, all the clips that secure the pipes and electrical harnesses have to be undone and some will need cutting and replacing with ty-raps. The big flat clamps over the pipes will prise apart with care. One end is hinged and the other end is a clip of the barbed sort. Easy does it. Then move all the pipes and harnesses out of the way and gently tease it out.

It's held on then with a couple of bolts. One fore by the starter (maybe one of the starter motor bolts) and one aft which is a little hidden and slightly inaccessible.

I have a feeling this cover is not always replaced after clutch work

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 14 Dec 2009, 21:09

..or any other sort

deian · Unread post by **deian** » 15 Dec 2009, 20:16

it would explain why my clutch pedal is stiff though, i guess if i do my 'project' at some point i better leave it off,

<---- look, it was tighter yes, but it was also tidier, but there seems to be a hell of a lot going on in this engine bay i have here, all good fun huh!

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 15 Dec 2009, 20:37

If its tight - or stiff and heavy, it can also SERIOUSLY mean an End of Life clutch!!

My Black Xantia TD, with 198k had a VERY STIFF and heavy clutch, it DID NOT slip either, but when I fitted a new clutch - and nothing else, the difference was amazing!! Dei, you've a cable operated clutch on your ole girl, Not hydraulic like the 2.1 you had - so theres 2 things to check, Cable itself, the nylon bushes that the release arm swings in or the Clutch itself...

Good luck!
Paul

deian · Unread post by **deian** » 15 Dec 2009, 21:08

i'll do the easy things first, the pedal has been sticking to the floor twice too, so the spring isn't doing it's job as it should, but thanks for the heads up, it will be done if needed,

out of curiosity, how would the clutch 'end' if it won't show signs of wear besides the stiffness, i assume it's automatic adjustment?

thx paul

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 15 Dec 2009, 21:12

Hmmmm, a tricky one, by end of life I meant, its not new by any means, the Clutch Pressure plate springs getting weak... Pedal sticking to the floor on a Cable operated one? Hmmm, thats a strange one.. Some dont have auto adjustment cables, you'll know if you have as there will be a large plastic "Buldge" sitting on the subframe were the cable routes round... and also, there be NO Threaded end out of the release arm with two nuts on it....

Paul

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 15 Dec 2009, 21:22

If the clutch is new and functioning correctly, when you get past a certain point of pushing the pedal down, probably about half way, it should become lighter, try it a few times and see if you can sense it.

The function of a diaphragm clutch is like pushing the middle of a tin lid, if you can make it snap in and out the movement gets easier once you have passed the centre point, this is what happens when the clutch is new, as it wears the disengagement point gets nearer the center and thus the clutch gets heavier.

Peter

deian · Unread post by **deian** » 15 Dec 2009, 21:28

there is a point where it get lighter about half way, i don't think it is worn as such, on the other hand, but that plastic cover has never come off before by the looks of it so it could be dry, but it will probably be the original clutch