clutch

[steve_earwig]

I had loads of problems with my first BX 16v after a Citroen franchise put the wrong grade oil in the 'box.

Does it fight back when you put it in reverse? (This is with the engine running)

[marcus]

I took it to a local garage that have been ok in the past. They wanted £500 for new clutch, my nearest Pug dealer said it would be £420. I decided to pick it up and think it over. On arrival at garage found rear window shattered
They denied all knowledge or responsibility pointing to signs stating cars left at owners risk. (I doubt that would stand up in law) but after an argument that went nowhere I decided to go home and the car would not start
They did try to help me get it going, I guess they wanted me out of the way. I called the AA who said there was an issue with fuel supply....it wasn't empty.

I got AA to tow me to Pug dealer and now I have a few days to decide if I scrap or repair.........all I can really think is bollocks.

[steve_earwig]

Oh ffs Bollocks indeed, sorry to hear that. I'm sure you're covered by their insurance if your car is left in their care. Care to tell us who they are?

[mjb]

...or even the entire hydraulic system

Even the calipers? I think you mean the fluid in the entire hydraulic system - which, if it's bad in the clutch hydraulics, will be just as bad. Make that dangerous.

I meant replacing the clutch side of the system (master+slave cylinders, pipe), but with a brake fluid change obviously comes bleeding the stuff through to the callipers too

A change of brake fluid can work wonders for a car, especially in the clutch part!

[marcus]

Thanks for your replies.

The issue with the window is just an extra pain, the garage has been fine in the past and while their attitude was crap I expect no different from other such places.

Anyway according to Peugeot the car will not start as a magnetic sensor has broken (can't remember the name). They can't tell me if its a clutch, linkage, flywheel or gearbox issue until they can start the car. So I have a choice:

Spend around about £550 and get a new sensor, clutch etc but if there is gearbox or flywheel problem then I'll have still spent around £300 and the car will be in bits and worthless. I guess then it would have to be scrapped and I'll get nothing (I doubt a non-runner will be worth more than the removal costs)

I could scrap it now and pay £70 for the current investigation and be left needing a new car which I would do if buying a second hand vehicle wasn't so fraught.

So scrap and start again or risk several hundred quid going down the drain? Car itself is in poor cosmetic shape anyway.......any suggestions?

[mjb]

Anyway according to Peugeot the car will not start as a magnetic sensor has broken (can't remember the name). They can't tell me if its a clutch, linkage, flywheel or gearbox issue until they can start the car.

That'll probably be the flywheel (crankshaft) sensor. Piece of cake to replace, and should only be a couple of quid from ebay or a breakers yard

[marcus]

well bollocks I'm gonna scrap it.......once again thanks for advice.......

[Captain Jack]

One thing about garages - especially franchise ones - that gets on my nerves is that they never know what is wrong and actually charge you to replace things that may not necessarily need replacing. I've never had a big enough problem for this to happen but I certainly hear about blind part changes that make no difference. Surely, if it makes no difference, then put the old part back on and only at least charge for partial labour. This is especially true with larger jobs, such as clutch changes. Mechanics seem to often misdiagnose problems, attributing problems, such as a judder to things like a clutch, replace the clutch and then realise that there's no difference. I wouldn't expect them to put an old clutch back in due to work involved but wouldn't it be better off diagnosing things properly?

My local TV repair guy charged £x for diagnostics of an issue, quoted EXACT prices for the work and repaired the TV for me. Why not cars? They are not THAT complicated....

</rant>

I must stress that this is not true for all garages and I am not having a dig at resident professionals (jasper5 et al). The one I use has been flawless. The owner is honest and I believe every word he says. But it's very hard to find a garage that you can trust 100% these days