What Happened To The Clutch?

[Neily]

Hi All,

whilst on the way to Devon for hols a few weeks ago, I had to negotiate "Telegraph Hill". I've done this a few times in the past in other cars but this is the first with caravan and found that I had to go right down to 2nd (!) on the steep bit, about 3/4 of the way to the top. Too scared to glance at the consumption display, I laboured onward to the summit, went to change up a gear, and . . . MY GOD! The clutch had gone! ;) Seriously though, has anyone encountered this phenomenon on a Gal or any other car? As the road levelled out I got the engine revs to the 'sweet spot' and got through all the gears, and after a few minutes the clutch returned. When I say the clutch had disappeared, I tried to disengage it but the pedal just flopped to the floor. I've only had this when towing and it occurred once more when under load. I have an Elddis Typhoon which weighs around a tonne when loaded. I've tried a search on this forum but no luck, and read a lot of old threads. Therefore:

 

What could cause this to happen?

 

Is there a risk of serious/permanent/expensive damage?

 

I'm no mechanic, but am 'mechanically-minded'.

 

For those interested, I got 18-19 mpg :lol: with the van and 30-33 mpg without, as Somerset is reasonably flat. Around Devon, which is fairly hilly (similar to my locale) it managed +/- 24 mpg with wife, 2 kids, no luggage.

 

Regards,

 

Neil

[Sharanfx]

Its a common problem. The Master cylinder can partially seize if the clutch gets to warm. Some times you might find your pedal stays half way down in heavy stop start traffic etc.

 

You can usually reset it by just pulling the pedal back up again.

 

In VW`s if it happens a few times the dealer will usually change the cylinder under warranty.

[Neily]

Thanks mate,

that's something I'll have to be aware of when towing then - must try to avoid steep hills! Still a bit disconcerting though.

 

I might start a new thread concerning hills to watch out for.

 

Cheers.

[Guest chrisH]

I had a similiar experience but wasn't towing at the time.

 

I was parked up, went to drive away and the clutch pedal went straight to the floor.

 

I pumped the pedal a few times and it came back to life.

 

Turned out the slave cylinder in the gearbox was leaking.

 

Got home and had the lot replace, clutch, cylinder etc.

 

 

cheers

Chris