Clutch gone! Help & advice needed

[isisalar]

Pedal fell to the floor this morning on the way to pick up my daughters new computer from Whitechapel. Managed to limp it home, to Edgware from Holloway Rd.,quite hairy I can tell you. Good job it wasn't rush hour!
I suspect it's the clip at the pedal end.Clutch, cable, & clip were all replaced about 3yrs ago.
Without the car I can't get to work so this is URGENT.
It's not something I could do myself so :-
Is there anyone out there within reach of north London that would take on the job?(I don't mind a bit of motorway travel)
Any recommended specialists?
My local indy is a bit inconvenient to get to(with no clutch) .I see there's an Indy I've not used before in Welwyn Garden city called BL Autos, any feedback? I'll call them first thing in the morning if I can't sort anything out before then.
Puncture Friday, 2!PCN's arrived yesterday, & today this. Grrrr.
Thanks
Paul

[myglaren]

BL Autos get frequent mentions on the forum and the feedback is all good - they are in the "Recommended Garages & Services" section.

[ashy90]

What engined model is it? Hasn't lasted very well if it was changed only 3 years ago! Often an old/worn out and stiff clutch can add extra stain onto the clip, however your clutch was changed 3 years ago too.....so I would assume you don't have a stiff clutch. Strange.

[isisalar]

Exactly. I was insistent that all the components were replaced so this sort of thing wouldn't happen. I knew that the clip was a right bar steward of a job and the (non specialist) garage confirmed this without any prompting.I think it probably wasn't fitted 100% correctly if at all, and is why I'm looking for a specialist.Clutch has behaved well until now.
Thanks
Paul
Its a 1.9 td

[flying clutchman]

Assuming it is the clip, I would'nt be surprised it's gone after 3 years. It's just a crap design I'm afraid, I used to do these on a regular basis when the Xantia was common. If it was'nt fitted correctly it would'nt have lasted 3 hours! Pity I did'nt log on yesterday, I could have done it today. Mind you, need my oilskins on today!

[isisalar]

Thanks for the replies.
I phoned BL Autos about 8.30, they checked they had the clip in stock,(they did) & were happy to do the job immediately, I took the car in (hairy journey again) & was away by 11.30 in time to have lunch and do an afternoons work.
I have not had such competent & professional service from any business for as long as I can remember, & I think they have just aquired a lifelong customer. They even refer to their customers as Gentlemen.
I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Was nice to see about 6 SM'S, a few DS's, a couple of CX's ,C6's,&2CV's, around the place, a proper Citroen place with knowledgeable people.
Kind regards
Paul

[myglaren]

Could you add your comments to their thread in the Recommended Garages And Services forum please.
Excellence like that deserves a mention.

[Harry1975]

a little tip, ive replaced the clip 4 times on my xantia, i can do it in 15-20mins. my tip is cut out the the bit at the back of clip holding the back together that pivots on the pedal, as it put strain on the clip and makes it break, i found this out after 2 new ones broke, the modified one has been no problem for over 6 months now, i also carry a spare one and the 2 spanners and long nosed pliers needed to do the job. to do the job get yourself under the steering column take the peddle out fit new clip, disconnect wire from gearbox push excess wire into the bulkhead . then connect to clip .refit pedal , pull in slack from cable into engine bay, reconnect to gearbox job done. Ive done it on a busy road at rush hour twice now. Best of luck

[ashy90]

Hmmm they really do not last long at all then?

Mind you, my other half parents old Xantia lasted a good 3 years I think on one clutch cable clip - which isn't too bad, is it?

Made me laugh when a Xantia I bought came with a spare clip in the glovebox

[citronut]

if the clip repeatedly fail's its usually down to the clutch at the end of its life causing to much load at the pedal,

although some one here say it can also be due to a cable binding,

the other reason i have seen these fail soon after fitting is not being fitted correctly,

regards malcolm

[bigblackfalco]

It's a dreadful design, all that pressure going through such a small plastic surface area. No wonder they go all the time.
Citroen obviously realised it was bad by changing over to a hydraulic clutch on the Mk2's

[citronut]

It's a dreadful design, all that pressure going through such a small plastic surface area. No wonder they go all the time.
Citroën obviously realised it was bad by changing over to a hydraulic clutch on the Mk2's

its not really such a bad design as its there to save the cable breaking, and only fails either through clutch or cable faults,
or badly re/fitted on replacement

regards malcolm

[ashy90]

It's a dreadful design, all that pressure going through such a small plastic surface area. No wonder they go all the time.
Citroën obviously realised it was bad by changing over to a hydraulic clutch on the Mk2's

MK2 what? Xantia's? Mine was a 1998 MK2 and had a cable clutch

[CitroJim]

Citroën obviously realised it was bad by changing over to a hydraulic clutch on the Mk2's

MK2 what? Xantia's? Mine was a 1998 MK2 and had a cable clutch[/quote]

The only Xantias to have hydraulic clutches were the ML5 gearboxed ones. That was the Activa, 2.1TD, 110HDi and the very rare manual V6. Marks had nothing to do with it..

All BE3 boxed Xantias remained with cable clutches...

[Xaccers]

Hmmm they really do not last long at all then?

Mind you, my other half parents old Xantia lasted a good 3 years I think on one clutch cable clip - which isn't too bad, is it?

Made me laugh when a Xantia I bought came with a spare clip in the glovebox

Cassy's original clutch and clip had done about 140K and approx 11 years until Jim and I replaced the gearbox and clutch 4 years ago (quickly checks maths again) and the clutch again about 6 months ago (that'll teach me to use a ECP Transmech clutch).