C3 Picasso clutch pedal squeaking

[Clockworks]

At the age of 64, I've just bought my first ever French car - a 2014 C3 Picasso Exclusive diesel.

I recently sold my Kia Sportage, which wasn't really being used enough to justify having an £18k car sitting on the driveway. Secondhand car prices have gone up a lot in the past few months, so I sold it for a profit, and looked for something a lot cheaper for when I need to use a "big" car. C3 Picasso seemed ideal, as it'll carry a full size grandfather clock with the front passenger seat folded forwards. I repair clocks for a living, so this is very useful.

Having looked at a few rough examples, I found this one at a Ford main dealer. Fair price, and only 30k miles on the clock. Decent MOT history too, unlike the others that I'd looked at.

I can't really fault it, apart from an annoying squeak each time I press/release the clutch pedal. Pedal action seems a bit rough too - like it's sticking a bit on the way back up. The clutch itself is fine, and the pedal feels rough with the engine on or off.

I dropped the under dash fabric/cardboard panel, and squirted some silicone lubricant around the return spring unit and the pedal pivot bush as best I could. Quite difficult to see up there. It looked like someone had already had a go at this, as the return spring assembly looked a bit shiny and damp.

Are there any common failure/wear points on the pedal assembly, or is it just a case of taking it apart and cleaning everything?

Any guides or pics to help in disassembly? Looks like the lower dash panels need to be removed to really get in there?

[captainkephart]

Hi Clockworks,

All of my Xsara Picassos had the squeak, like a friendly mouse.
WD40 helped a bit, but as there was no clutch issue longer term I'm not sure it's a serious symptom?

Ciao, Capn K

[Clockworks]

Thanks - good to know that it should carry on working properly.

It's just annoying me somewhat. I might have to find someone a bit younger than me who can get into the footwell for a proper look, and maybe take the return "plunger" and pedal out for a proper cleaning and a bit of white grease.
I've bought a DVD workshop manual, have to have a good look through it and see how it comes apart.

[Clockworks]

I finally got around to getting this sorted.

I booked it into a local French car specialist, who agreed that it was most likely a problem with the hydraulics or pedal linkage, rather than the clutch itself.

Turned out to be a partially seized slave cylinder. £137 to diagnose and replace the part.

I've had the car back for a week now, and the clutch is totally silent, and much smoother and lighter to operate.