Clutch travel

[MikeyH]

Hi all, I need to push the clutch pedal almost all the way to the floor to change gear, it has been like this all the time I have owned the car. I have assumed this to be normal but I have just read on here about a clutch stop, I can't believe mine has enough movement left to have one of these fitted. Is the clutch on the way out or can it be adjusted and if so how? My car is a 2004 E85 2.2 with just over 60,000 miles under it's belt. Your advise would be much appreciated thank you in advance. Mike.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Is the clutch on the way out or can it be adjusted and if so how?

The clutch itself is self-adjusting, to keep a consistent biting point.

Initially this sounds more like a clutch cylinder issue, either failing or fluid e.g. air in the system. Do you plan to do any work yourself?

How is the brake fluid level? Shared with both systems.

 

[MikeyH]

Thank you for your reply ScoobaSteve, I think this would be beyond me. I will have a look at the brake fluid level tomorrow. Do you mean that the brakes and clutch use the same system?

 

[MikeyH]

Just checked the fluid level and okay, Scooba Steve. Read up last night and I now understand what you mean by re ‘shared with both systems’.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Just checked the fluid level and okay, Scooba Steve. Read up last night and I now understand what you mean by re ‘shared with both systems’.

Did you take the cap off and have a look inside? There is an internal baffle to separate the systems so a loss of fluid in one doesn't affect the other. If the overall level is below the baffle then topping up may help, though it sounds like either air in the system, cylinder issue or a release mechanism problem.

Bleeding the clutch would be a good first step, may well just be better for you to give it to someone to diagnose and fix.

 

[MikeyH]

Thank you, I just looked at both sides while jiggling the car a little and it looked fine. I will take off the lid and have a proper look. But yes you may be correct it might be better to have someone look at it for me. It has an mot and service coming up soon so will ask them what they think. Out of interest how far down and far from the firewall do you need to push your clutch pedal to make sure it has disengaged the clutch especially to go into first gear? Thanks again for your help Scooba_Steve.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Thanks again for your help Scooba_Steve.

You're welcome.

Out of interest how far down and far from the firewall do you need to push your clutch pedal to make sure it has disengaged the clutch especially to go into first gear?

Off the top of my head the biting point seems to feel about halfway and it disengages normally. So logically it disengages there cleanly.

If it doesn't feel right to you, it probably isn't.

 

[MikeyH]

No, I need to push the pedal to within 1” to 2” of the full travel to engage the gear and then it bites about half way up. As you say it needs to be looked at. Many thanks I’ve always thought it was odd. Mike.

 

[MikeyH]

Hi, Scooba Steve, I have removed the cap to check level visually but there is a filter in the way but it is right to the top. I still can’t see the other side. I have looked on YouTube and it looks like an easy ish job to replace the slave and bleed once it is up on some ramps. Also when I replaced the starter motor a bolt fell out of my fingers, looking for it under the car the gearbox had clear liquid drips on it. Thought it was water but now think it may have been clutch fluid. Perhaps it is leaking? Any recommendations on which slave make or are they pretty much the same if I need to change it? Thanks again, Mike.