Strange Xsara Clutch Pedal

[xsaras4ever]

Hello to all.

We now use our 1.4hdi Xsara Estate for work deliveries in the mornings - hundreds of gearchanges.

A few weeks ago the clutch pedal did not return - no shock to us as we have encountered the same on a 406.

Toe under the pedal - a quick flick and all back to normal.

Same again last week - 3 times in 5 minutes - then perfect.

Same again this Monday - maybe 6 times in the space of 5 minutes.

Presume its the clutch cable at the end of its life - its the one with the built-in ratchet in the cable and not up at the pedal.

Ordered a new cable and put some spacers in the end of the existing cable to give us a few more days of life.

Much worse this morning - maybe 15 times and at the end of the morning - more often than not.

Going to use our Laguna tomorrow (risky at the best of times) and wait for the cable to arrive - but its a holiday here on Friday - 14th July - so probably stuck for an extra few days.

Any other ideas while we wait - hate to think that it was the pressure plate or release bearing as the clutch was done about 6 months before we bought the car. Worrying thing is that there is a distinct difference in noise with the clutch in and out...........................

[xsaras4ever]

New Clutch cable fitted - back to normal operation

[CitroJim]

I was just about to ask if it was cable or hydraulic..

Question answered and good news

[xsaras4ever]

Thanks Jim. Happy days with the clutch.

We deliver newspapers in the morning - starting at 3h30. A good clutch is essential.

We just fixed the gadget that keeps the door open when you fling it open in a hurry - now moving on to the heater blower not working in advance of actually needing it - a first for us.

All the corn has been harvested here so the farmers will start to plough in the next few weeks - this will make it foggy in the early mornings - trivial to most people but important to us.

[Ricardo]

I was just about to ask if it was cable or hydraulic..

Question answered and good news

Good news indeed! I was just going to post a thread with a similar problem.

Lately, I have been getting a strange sensation when pressing the clutch pedal on my 2001 Xsara 1.9D van. As I press down on it, it feels more resistant up to a point, after which it becomes "light" again. It´s as if rolling over a bump/hill; hard and slow, and them easy and loose. I also hear a metalic sound. This happens with the car stopped and engine off.
When moving from a stationary position, as I let the clutch go, I get a big vibration coming through the dashboard.
At the end of the clutch cable there is a metal puck. That is the spacer, right? There is about a centimeter between that and the metal lever that goes into the clutch casing.

Should I replace the cable?

[xsaras4ever]

Hello .

Can't answer your question directly but can make a few observations.

1.) The stiff pressure and then light just sounds like the pressure plate being pressed and then arriving at the max. Nothing odd there.

2.) The vibration ------ we fitted an poor quality clutch kit to our 1.9d zx a few years back. It then vibrated on take-off right away.

We scorched the clutch a bit until it almost smoked - no more vibration. We are not however suggesting this solution.

3.) The metallic sound is worrying - espeially with the car stopped.

A guess would be that it is your release bearing. With the car stationary and the engine turning - does it have a noise when you start to press the clutch ?

[Ricardo]

Hello .

Can't answer your question directly but can make a few observations.

1.) The stiff pressure and then light just sounds like the pressure plate being pressed and then arriving at the max. Nothing odd there.

2.) The vibration ------ we fitted an poor quality clutch kit to our 1.9d zx a few years back. It then vibrated on take-off right away.

We scorched the clutch a bit until it almost smoked - no more vibration. We are not however suggesting this solution.

3.) The metallic sound is worrying - espeially with the car stopped.

A guess would be that it is your release bearing. With the car stationary and the engine turning - does it have a noise when you start to press the clutch ?

2.) I got the car last year, with 133000kms on. The guy I bought it from only had it for about 3 months. He was the second owner. He said to me that he never did any major servicing (belts, clutch, etc...) The clutch seemed normal when I got it. A few months ago, a friend of mine who is a nut about Cits, told me that I would probably have to fit a new spring on the clutch cable. There is one next to the pedal, but it seems fine to me (I am no expert).

3.) Worrying indeed, and I am no expert, as I just mentioned. With the engine running and car stationary, it did not make metallic sound (banging on metal sheet, I would say)

[Ricardo]

Done! (some time ago.)

The original clutch was gone. Replaced it myself (local mechanic refused to give me an estimate). While at it, replaced a couple of other parts on the suspension and gear linkage.

[CitroJim]

Done! (some time ago.)

The original clutch was gone. Replaced it myself (local mechanic refused to give me an estimate). While at it, replaced a couple of other parts on the suspension and gear linkage.

Excellent Well done and good work!

Satisfying isn't it

[Ricardo]

Excellent Well done and good work!

Satisfying isn't it

Indeed! Especially after seeing the look on the mechanic´s face after finding out that I done the job we could have done.

[CitroJim]

Excellent Well done and good work!

Satisfying isn't it

Indeed! Especially after seeing the look on the mechanic´s face after finding out that I done the job we could have done.

Even better! That's priceless

[white exec]

Well done! and very satisfying.