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[bigegg]

Driving out of my yard today, clutch suddenly went slack and I couldn't change gear - just as if a clutch cable had snapped.

The mig doesn't have a cable, it's all hydraulic?

There doesn't appear to be any fluid leaking, so any ideas?

I'm guessing a seal has gone inside the cylinder so it's fluid is pushing past the piston, instead of moving it.

Any ideas where I start?

£80 for a new cylinder according to my local parts place, and non-returnable - so don't want to shell out if it's an easy (cheap) fix).

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

[bigegg]

Update - I can get the car into gear with engine off, but not with it running if that helps with the diagnostic.
and it was a sudden failure - not a gradual one.

Also: the car creeps forward, even with the clutch pedal fully to floor.

Really could do with some help on this - I've spent the last couple of hours googling and not really any wiser -

At the moment, it looks like it's a gearbox out job to replace the slave cylinder.
Is it likely to be the master cylinder instead?
Could it be the linkage from the pedal to the cylinder? (I'm guessing not since I can change gear with engine off).

[freecall666]

have you checked the bleeder on side of cluth hosing see if there is fluid in it, either that the hydraulic arm has gone in the clutch hosing, or the fins have snaped on cluth plate. :-?

[Kevin Wood]

Is there any sign of leakage under the car - from the bottom of the bell housing, for example?

That might indicate a failed slave cylinder.

Master cylinder seal could have failed, in which case there'd be no leakage, or something within the clutch (i.e. pressure plate) could have collapsed.

From your description it sounds like the clutch is at least partially disengaging if it's only creeping forwards with the clutch down, so it would be worth trying to bleed the system first, IMHO.

[Kevin Wood]

Also, if you sit there in gear, engine running and clutch depressed, does it gradually engage more and the creep get worse? Another indication of a leaking seal.

[henryd]

I agree with Kevin,slave cylinder will leak if it has failed whereas master cylinder will not,have you checked the fluid level.gears will engage with engine off regardless of what state the clutch is in

[bigegg]

Thanks for the replies 

Fluid level appears OK (in the reservoir at the driver's side back of the engine bay) - no apparent leaks from bell housing, but it's a bit mucky under there 

Is the master cylinder easier to get to/replace? Is there an easy way to check which cylinder (if any) is leaking/knacked?

I don't own an "easy bleed" - is there any other way of checking for (and removing) air in the system? The clutch pedal doesn't feel like a brake does when it needs bleeding - no sponginess, just easy travel all the way to the bottom.

[freecall666]

old air pipe for a fish tank, and 8mm spanner ring, and some one to pump peddle,, top up fluid to top. oh and a glass jar, put pipe over clean'd nipple with 8mm ring spaner, un do slow and pump once on pedel. if come out with no air then fine if dose not repeat. pumping afew times. also can run engine but dont try gears until finishd and out of way.when done hold down peddel and tighten the nipple up then take foot off peddle when done.

[bigegg]

Also, if you sit there in gear, engine running and clutch depressed, does it gradually engage more and the creep get worse? Another indication of a leaking seal.

It doesn't appear to.

I will have a go at bleeding the system tomorrow morning.
Thanks for all the help so far...

[Andy H]

When my last car failed, with the same symptoms, it was the flexible hose that had failed just above the bell housing. A small amount of fluid squirted out (half a cup full).

The flexible pipe is crimped on to a length of steel pipe that goes into the bell housing and screws into the release cylinder. I had to drop the gearbox to change the flexible pipe but it fixed the problem

[Kevin Wood]

Also, if you sit there in gear, engine running and clutch depressed, does it gradually engage more and the creep get worse? Another indication of a leaking seal.

It doesn't appear to.

I will have a go at bleeding the system tomorrow morning.
Thanks for all the help so far...

It's best done with an easibleed by forcing fluid into the bleed nipple. Bleeding the "traditional" way doesn't work well due to the fact that air migrates back up the pipe towards the master cylinder.

[bigegg]

I'll be going shopping in the morning then...

Just to double check, cos I'm feeling a bit fick...

The "nipple" is normally covered with a little rubber cap?
The rubber cap is just to keep dust out.
When I turn the nipple with a spanner, fluid comes out of the small hole in the nipple? Not from around the threads?

Not really had any experience with oil nipples 
Nearest thing is the grease nipples to put grease into bearings on a lathe - and they just have a cap that flips open - no spanner neccessary.

[freecall666]

I'll be going shopping in the morning then...

Just to double check, cos I'm feeling a bit fick...

The "nipple" is normally covered with a little rubber cap?
The rubber cap is just to keep dust out.
When I turn the nipple with a spanner, fluid comes out of the small hole in the nipple? Not from around the threads?

Not really had any experience with oil nipples 
Nearest thing is the grease nipples to put grease into bearings on a lathe - and they just have a cap that flips open - no spanner neccessary.

yes comes out of hole...

[bigegg]

Latest update:

reverse bled with eezibleed - very little air came out, and no difference to the clutch.

Borrowed a van for work, so can afford to have the car laid up for a week
I've booked in at my favourite garage on tuesday for them to sort it out - don't fancy dropping a gearbox on my own.

thanks for all the help - I will update when I have a definite answer as to what was wrong