Clutch Wont Bleed

[polski]

have got a 51 plate 1.9 tdi. clutch pedal was getting lower for a while. tried to bleed it but pedal stayed down, was told by a guy his galaxy did the same and it was the clutch slave cylinder. i have had the box off and replaced this( it was gone, and leaking) put box back on, still cant bleed. tried to vacum bleed, but still no good, nothing when pumping. suspect master cyl now, unless there is a special way to bleed that i havent tried? when bleed nipple is released, no fluid flows under gravity. any ideas greatly appreciated.

[JohnR]

have got a 51 plate 1.9 tdi. clutch pedal was getting lower for a while. tried to bleed it but pedal stayed down, was told by a guy his galaxy did the same and it was the clutch slave cylinder. i have had the box off and replaced this( it was gone, and leaking) put box back on, still cant bleed. tried to vacum bleed, but still no good, nothing when pumping. suspect master cyl now, unless there is a special way to bleed that i havent tried? when bleed nipple is released, no fluid flows under gravity. any ideas greatly appreciated.

 

 

How are you doing this?? Its best if you get a mate sat in the car. Press the pedal fast a couple of times. Also, what happens if you take the nipple out altogether, and seal with your thumb to start with? Then check the nipple is clear, and finish off with the bleed nipple.

[polski]

have got a 51 plate 1.9 tdi. clutch pedal was getting lower for a while. tried to bleed it but pedal stayed down, was told by a guy his galaxy did the same and it was the clutch slave cylinder. i have had the box off and replaced this( it was gone, and leaking) put box back on, still cant bleed. tried to vacum bleed, but still no good, nothing when pumping. suspect master cyl now, unless there is a special way to bleed that i havent tried? when bleed nipple is released, no fluid flows under gravity. any ideas greatly appreciated.

The pedal does not return on its own now, and previously seemed to be getting lower and lower. i have tried pumping by hand quite a few times quickly to try and push it through. the bleed nipple is clear. when it is released and done up once the pedal has been pushed down, it sucks air back in as it appears to have a vacum!

[Sher]

I saw this being done after I had to return to the garage with my 52 1.9Tdi 115bhp. (4 years 63,00miles used for towing my Hobby Caravan 7000miles )

 

After collecting the car and deciding that it was not correct following replacement of the Clutch and the hydraulically operated clutch release bearing. A one piece device which surrounds the gearbox input shaft. Complicated, compact no wonder it fails.

 

Same as brakes 2 person job. Loosen bleed from above with very long extension. Torch is also needed to see it. Press clutch to floor.

Close bleed nut. Raise clutch. Open bleed nut. and continue until clutch operates normally. "or 3 presses and it was done.

 

I was being told that it was normal to have so much play (2-3 inches) before feeling the clutch pressure rise. The clutch was also biting about 1 inch from the floor. Typical air in Hydraulic system sponginess.

 

It wasn't until I started to phone the AA call centre for a callout to my undriveable car at this garage that something was done. It took 2 minutes.

 

Originally the garage had said I needed a new flywheel (DMF) as well with 99% certainty. Oh yes there was a discount on this part if it was reconditionable of about 3%.

 

I had diagnosed the problem from these forums as the failed Clutch bearing with possible contamination of the clutch.

 

I demanded all parts to be returned to me after replacement in their original boxes in that case, since some vehicles manufactured after mine but the same year had a Ford recall on these parts and I wanted to pursue this matter.

 

Needless to say the DMF was not required!!

 

When I inspected the clutch it looks fine to me with no apparent contamination by fluid.

 

But then I don't see replacement clutches every day.

 

In the event the flywheel was not changed.

 

This was a Ford main agent at El Vendrell South of Barcelona, North of Tarragona.

About 20km away towards Barcelona is a better but slightly dearer Ford main agent at Vilanova i La Geltru with English speaking personnel.

Wish I had know about them before I took it to the closest Ford agent from the Motorway. Also has a great campsite open all year.

 

Moral of this event?

 

(1) When the clutch pedal hits the floor of its own accord its likely to need just the expensive clutch release bearing changing. Its 4 hours Labour to do whichever country you are in because of the need to remove the gearbox to get at this part.

 

(2) It may not need a clutch replacement ( expensive) This is my 1st new clutch in 40 years of driving averaging about 15000 miles/annum. The excuse here is "Might as well since the gearbox is off!!"

In my mind its likely to be off again to change that clutch release bearing after another 60,000miles.

 

(3) Always demand replaced parts in original boxes. If its reconditionable then you can arrange that yourself and either save it for next time or offer it here in the Forum.

 

(4) Keep an eye on the Hydraulic fluid levels!

 

Question?

 

Is there a problem with this part (clutch release bearing) in Galaxys in 1.9Tdi's used for towing?

[polski]

I saw this being done after I had to return to the garage with my 52 1.9Tdi 115bhp. (4 years 63,00miles used for towing my Hobby Caravan 7000miles )

 

After collecting the car and deciding that it was not correct following replacement of the Clutch and the hydraulically operated clutch release bearing. A one piece device which surrounds the gearbox input shaft. Complicated, compact no wonder it fails.

 

Same as brakes 2 person job. Loosen bleed from above with very long extension. Torch is also needed to see it. Press clutch to floor.

Close bleed nut. Raise clutch. Open bleed nut. and continue until clutch operates normally. "or 3 presses and it was done.

 

I was being told that it was normal to have so much play (2-3 inches) before feeling the clutch pressure rise. The clutch was also biting about 1 inch from the floor. Typical air in Hydraulic system sponginess.

 

It wasn't until I started to phone the AA call centre for a callout to my undriveable car at this garage that something was done. It took 2 minutes.

 

Originally the garage had said I needed a new flywheel (DMF) as well with 99% certainty. Oh yes there was a discount on this part if it was reconditionable of about 3%.

 

I had diagnosed the problem from these forums as the failed Clutch bearing with possible contamination of the clutch.

 

I demanded all parts to be returned to me after replacement in their original boxes in that case, since some vehicles manufactured after mine but the same year had a Ford recall on these parts and I wanted to pursue this matter.

 

Needless to say the DMF was not required!!

 

When I inspected the clutch it looks fine to me with no apparent contamination by fluid.

 

But then I don't see replacement clutches every day.

 

In the event the flywheel was not changed.

 

This was a Ford main agent at El Vendrell South of Barcelona, North of Tarragona.

About 20km away towards Barcelona is a better but slightly dearer Ford main agent at Vilanova i La Geltru with English speaking personnel.

Wish I had know about them before I took it to the closest Ford agent from the Motorway. Also has a great campsite open all year.

 

Moral of this event?

 

(1) When the clutch pedal hits the floor of its own accord its likely to need just the expensive clutch release bearing changing. Its 4 hours Labour to do whichever country you are in because of the need to remove the gearbox to get at this part.

 

(2) It may not need a clutch replacement ( expensive) This is my 1st new clutch in 40 years of driving averaging about 15000 miles/annum. The excuse here is "Might as well since the gearbox is off!!"

In my mind its likely to be off again to change that clutch release bearing after another 60,000miles.

 

(3) Always demand replaced parts in original boxes. If its reconditionable then you can arrange that yourself and either save it for next time or offer it here in the Forum.

 

(4) Keep an eye on the Hydraulic fluid levels!

 

Question?

 

Is there a problem with this part (clutch release bearing) in Galaxys in 1.9Tdi's used for towing?

 

 

Thanks for your reply.

i hear what you are saying about the failing release bearing. its this that i replaced yesterday. the clutch luckily was still ok( i used to do loads of work on cars). this galaxy also towed a little i believe before we got it. it only had 36000 mles on, and we knew the people we got it off.

my problem now appears that i cannot get fluid back into the master cylinder.

its a dual one on these, and fed from the brake master cylinder.i was told that the pressure to hold the pedal up comes from the pressure on the release bearing from the clutch.

but because i cant get fluid into the system now. suspect faulty master clyinder now!

 

normal ways of bleeding (as you have described well) have not worked, and i have even tried a vacum bleeder. this sucks fluid through the system. all unsucessfull so far.!!

 

might need a box of matches and a gallon of petrol to fix this one! (dont think my wife would be too happy though!)

 

its interesting to hear what you say about the slack on the pedal to be normal, that will help when i get it to bleed.

 

thanks

 

chris

[polski]

I saw this being done after I had to return to the garage with my 52 1.9Tdi 115bhp. (4 years 63,00miles used for towing my Hobby Caravan 7000miles )

 

After collecting the car and deciding that it was not correct following replacement of the Clutch and the hydraulically operated clutch release bearing. A one piece device which surrounds the gearbox input shaft. Complicated, compact no wonder it fails.

 

Same as brakes 2 person job. Loosen bleed from above with very long extension. Torch is also needed to see it. Press clutch to floor.

Close bleed nut. Raise clutch. Open bleed nut. and continue until clutch operates normally. "or 3 presses and it was done.

 

I was being told that it was normal to have so much play (2-3 inches) before feeling the clutch pressure rise. The clutch was also biting about 1 inch from the floor. Typical air in Hydraulic system sponginess.

 

It wasn't until I started to phone the AA call centre for a callout to my undriveable car at this garage that something was done. It took 2 minutes.

 

Originally the garage had said I needed a new flywheel (DMF) as well with 99% certainty. Oh yes there was a discount on this part if it was reconditionable of about 3%.

 

I had diagnosed the problem from these forums as the failed Clutch bearing with possible contamination of the clutch.

 

I demanded all parts to be returned to me after replacement in their original boxes in that case, since some vehicles manufactured after mine but the same year had a Ford recall on these parts and I wanted to pursue this matter.

 

Needless to say the DMF was not required!!

 

When I inspected the clutch it looks fine to me with no apparent contamination by fluid.

 

But then I don't see replacement clutches every day.

 

In the event the flywheel was not changed.

 

This was a Ford main agent at El Vendrell South of Barcelona, North of Tarragona.

About 20km away towards Barcelona is a better but slightly dearer Ford main agent at Vilanova i La Geltru with English speaking personnel.

Wish I had know about them before I took it to the closest Ford agent from the Motorway. Also has a great campsite open all year.

 

Moral of this event?

 

(1) When the clutch pedal hits the floor of its own accord its likely to need just the expensive clutch release bearing changing. Its 4 hours Labour to do whichever country you are in because of the need to remove the gearbox to get at this part.

 

(2) It may not need a clutch replacement ( expensive) This is my 1st new clutch in 40 years of driving averaging about 15000 miles/annum. The excuse here is "Might as well since the gearbox is off!!"

In my mind its likely to be off again to change that clutch release bearing after another 60,000miles.

 

(3) Always demand replaced parts in original boxes. If its reconditionable then you can arrange that yourself and either save it for next time or offer it here in the Forum.

 

(4) Keep an eye on the Hydraulic fluid levels!

 

Question?

 

Is there a problem with this part (clutch release bearing) in Galaxys in 1.9Tdi's used for towing?

hi sher,

 

now that ive got the thing working again, i can report that i now have no free play on the clutch pedal at all. the pedal is firm right from the top. i can only assume that if there is free play in the pedal, then it has air in the system

 

polski

[Sher]

Thanks for the info about the pedal since mine has some slack in it.

I didn't really think it was normal. The garage was attempting to fob me off.

 

I've been offline moving from near Barcelona to Palomares Almeria and had to install WiFi on this Campsite. Have not had time to visit the local Library for FREE Internet access.

 

I'm also interested in how you finally solved the bleed problem. Was it the Master Cylinder?

[spacecowboy]

I saw this being done after I had to return to the garage with my 52 1.9Tdi 115bhp. (4 years 63,00miles used for towing my Hobby Caravan 7000miles )

 

After collecting the car and deciding that it was not correct following replacement of the Clutch and the hydraulically operated clutch release bearing. A one piece device which surrounds the gearbox input shaft. Complicated, compact no wonder it fails.

 

Same as brakes 2 person job. Loosen bleed from above with very long extension. Torch is also needed to see it. Press clutch to floor.

Close bleed nut. Raise clutch. Open bleed nut. and continue until clutch operates normally. "or 3 presses and it was done.

 

I was being told that it was normal to have so much play (2-3 inches) before feeling the clutch pressure rise. The clutch was also biting about 1 inch from the floor. Typical air in Hydraulic system sponginess.

 

It wasn't until I started to phone the AA call centre for a callout to my undriveable car at this garage that something was done. It took 2 minutes.

 

Originally the garage had said I needed a new flywheel (DMF) as well with 99% certainty. Oh yes there was a discount on this part if it was reconditionable of about 3%.

 

I had diagnosed the problem from these forums as the failed Clutch bearing with possible contamination of the clutch.

 

I demanded all parts to be returned to me after replacement in their original boxes in that case, since some vehicles manufactured after mine but the same year had a Ford recall on these parts and I wanted to pursue this matter.

 

Needless to say the DMF was not required!!

 

When I inspected the clutch it looks fine to me with no apparent contamination by fluid.

 

But then I don't see replacement clutches every day.

 

In the event the flywheel was not changed.

 

This was a Ford main agent at El Vendrell South of Barcelona, North of Tarragona.

About 20km away towards Barcelona is a better but slightly dearer Ford main agent at Vilanova i La Geltru with English speaking personnel.

Wish I had know about them before I took it to the closest Ford agent from the Motorway. Also has a great campsite open all year.

 

Moral of this event?

 

(1) When the clutch pedal hits the floor of its own accord its likely to need just the expensive clutch release bearing changing. Its 4 hours Labour to do whichever country you are in because of the need to remove the gearbox to get at this part.

 

(2) It may not need a clutch replacement ( expensive) This is my 1st new clutch in 40 years of driving averaging about 15000 miles/annum. The excuse here is "Might as well since the gearbox is off!!"

In my mind its likely to be off again to change that clutch release bearing after another 60,000miles.

 

(3) Always demand replaced parts in original boxes. If its reconditionable then you can arrange that yourself and either save it for next time or offer it here in the Forum.

 

(4) Keep an eye on the Hydraulic fluid levels!

 

Question?

 

Is there a problem with this part (clutch release bearing) in Galaxys in 1.9Tdi's used for towing?

 

 

Thanks for your reply.

i hear what you are saying about the failing release bearing. its this that i replaced yesterday. the clutch luckily was still ok( i used to do loads of work on cars). this galaxy also towed a little i believe before we got it. it only had 36000 mles on, and we knew the people we got it off.

my problem now appears that i cannot get fluid back into the master cylinder.

its a dual one on these, and fed from the brake master cylinder.i was told that the pressure to hold the pedal up comes from the pressure on the release bearing from the clutch.

but because i cant get fluid into the system now. suspect faulty master clyinder now!

 

normal ways of bleeding (as you have described well) have not worked, and i have even tried a vacum bleeder. this sucks fluid through the system. all unsucessfull so far.!!

 

might need a box of matches and a gallon of petrol to fix this one! (dont think my wife would be too happy though!)

 

its interesting to hear what you say about the slack on the pedal to be normal, that will help when i get it to bleed.

 

thanks

 

chris

hi chris how easy was it to change the clutch on your gal ,was it a tdi

[polski]

Thanks for the info about the pedal since mine has some slack in it.

I didn't really think it was normal. The garage was attempting to fob me off.

 

I've been offline moving from near Barcelona to Palomares Almeria and had to install WiFi on this Campsite. Have not had time to visit the local Library for FREE Internet access.

 

I'm also interested in how you finally solved the bleed problem. Was it the Master Cylinder?

hi sher,

 

were hoping to move to spain next year( currently have a place 40 mins south of alicanti) so maybe able to be of use in future!!!

 

the problem turned out to be a blocked master cylinder( very rare) in hindsight( a very useful thing), the clutch slave cylinder(release bearing on galaxys) was leaking for quite a long time; approx 7 or 8 months.

the pedal was slowly getting lower because the ffluid was leaking out onto the clutch, but because of the blocked master cylinder, it was not being topped up. when i tried to bleed it before i had replaced the slave cylinder, i merely let out what little pressure there was. out!

 

when i stripped the master cylinder out, the end seal was covered in crap. hence the blockage.

 

once the cylinder was replaced (