Clutch bites at the top of the pedal...

[EvilTwin]

Did my first long distance run from Ipswich to Guildford and back today, and the thing I've been noticing today is the clutch bite. Its high, very high, so high in fact that gentle pressure from my foot resting on the pedal, will start the revs to rise, as the clutch starts to open up and slip. Raise your foot and put it back on the dead pedal, and the clutch bites again.

Other than that theres no noticeable clutch slip or judder, changes seem fine(ish) if not rushed.

Can someone tell me if this is normal?

[jasper5]

Your clutch needs replacing soon.

BTW, I'm out your way for the weekend next week

[EvilTwin]

Bugger, not something i have the kit to do, so better get saving, is it just a 3 in 1 clutch kit, or is there more to this? like with doing the timing belt?

going anywhere nice? or do you have to go to Ipswich?

[jasper5]

Not sure whether yours has the dual mass flywheel.

I'm going to Beccles near Lowestoft/Gt Yarmouth to take part in an Archery competition.

Six hour drive....yuk

[mjb]

Bugger, not something i have the kit to do, so better get saving, is it just a 3 in 1 clutch kit, or is there more to this? like with doing the timing belt?

Clutch kit should have the friction plate, pressure plate and release bearing. You can get a quality Valeo kit from Euro Car Parts relatively cheaply. If you've got the HDi110 you should seriously consider a new flywheel too - either a new dual mass jobbie or a solid conversion.

Other parts you'll NEED are: gearbox drain plug seal, gearbox oil, bottom ball joint nuts, 35mm (36mm will do) impact socket and a decent breaker bar, brake fluid, brake bleed kit, 2 jacks

Other parts you'll DEFINITELY WANT are: clutch release bearing slidey pole ting (hard to describe, but i'll have a picture soon), wheelarch liner screws and washers

Other parts you'll WANT (and can maybe skip if you're skint) are: diff oil seals, new bottom engine mount (I didn't, and I deeply regret it)

I'll be doing a detailed HOWTO on doing this very soon. It took me 1 1/2 weeks of evenings and weekends to do the job on my own because the V6 I did it on needed extra consideration (the subframe needs removing and a drop link needed sawing off), I didn't actually know what I was doing, and I was busy taking pictures and cleaning everything in sight, but to put it in perspective I could probably do it again in a weekend with ease

If you're not noticing any slip yet, you've got plenty of time to prepare though.

[EvilTwin]

According to the Haines book:

My 90 Hp HDi engine and the EW series petrol engines (1.8 or 2.0) has the BE4/5 gearbox and , fitted to the clutch system is similar to these models no mention of the flywheel.

The flywheel on the 110, and 2.2 HDi is said to be in 2 sections with an internal cushion to take up "transmission shocks" they also use a different gearbox.

Is it safe to assume i don't have a dual mass flywheel?

Any ideas how much this will cost to get done? I Cant be getting into doing a job like this, looks like a lot of work, just to get the gearbox out (haven't got a lift to pull it out)

[mjb]

Is it safe to assume i don't have a dual mass flywheel?

If it's the HDi90, correct

Any ideas how much this will cost to get done? I Cant be getting into doing a job like this, looks like a lot of work, just to get the gearbox out (haven't got a lift to pull it out)

The expensive part is the clutch kit. For my V6 it was about £150 i think. You don't need a lift to take the gearbox out, just a decent trolley jack and some wood

[Welly]

As it goes my clutch was the same, for 3 years.....

Very high bite point (which everyone on here will tell you the same) in fact even the clutch pedal is higher than the brake by about 2 inches.

Then the slightest touch of the pedal releases the clutch.

If I was you I'd be more concerned if the clutch slips 'on its own' and after a good long journey where the transmission is good and hot then that's the time it'll slip if it wants too.

If you accelerate hard in 5th gear from around 2000 rpm it's a good test fot it.

[EvilTwin]

If you accelerate hard in 5th gear from around 2000 rpm it's a good test fot it.

Was "testing" the acceleration yesterday down the A12, and M25, and got nothing in the way of slip unless my foot was anywhere within 6" of the pedal!

Think I'll learn to live with it for the mo, and not sit with my foot on the pedal, get it done at a later point.

I'll ave a go at the cam cover instead, the engine's like a tiny rain cloud of dirty oil, every time i park up for more than half an hour.