:cry: Poorly Ibiza :cry: Clutch???

[alb]

Something is very wrong with my little MK2 (1.4 Fresco). For a while now its been grinding wen going into reverse...but today shes decided that she doesnt like being put in 1st or 2nd gear any more when the cars running. It just wont go into either gear, and you have to push it hard to get it into 3rd.
It seems like the clutch isnt working properly to me, as it goes into all gears fine when the engine is turned off, and when i start it in 1st (with clutch fully depressed) it still creeps forward like its at the biting point, even without giving it any gas. It seems to move from 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th a little easier than it does from 2nd to 3rd etc.
My main reason for thinking its the clutch and not the gear box is that it goes iton gear fine when the cars not running, and because the biting point has always been quite low on her, but seems to have got lower over the last few weeks. However, i know relatively little about it, so any advice would be appreciated.

If it is the lutch, does anyone know how much approx it wud be to fix??and if not, what other problems could i be looking at?

Sorry bout the long post, and thanks for the help,

Dan

 

[dirtbiker]

I had this problem on my mini when there was air in the clutch system.

I'm not sure whether your car has a hydraulic or cable actuated clutch but either way it probably needs bleeding/adjusting I'm guessing...

 

[alb]

Thanks Dirtbiker...i hope your right, as bleeding/adjusting the clutch would hopefully be a lot cheaper than a new clutch or gearbox. Is the clutch on an Ibiza easy to adjust?? I have very little knowledge about mechanics, but being a poor student i need to try and save as much cash as possible!!

thanks,
Dan

 

[dirtbiker]

What I'd do is get yourself the Haynes manual (can be had cheap of eBay if you're lucky) and then at least you've got some idea of what's involved!

I've never adjusted my clutch so I don't know first hand but I'm guessing it's not too tricky...

 

[Cupra Kid]

Its a cable clutch on a 1.4 engine

 

[alb]

Thanks again dirtbiker, il have a check on ebay and see what i can find!!

Its a cable clutch on a 1.4 engine

So i guess that means its gunna be easier to adjust than if it was a hydrolic clutch system??
I'm going to have a look under the bonnet this afternoon, see if i can see how easy it is to adjust the cable...if not its going to have to be a trip to the garage, as she's not really drivable atm, and i'm lost without a car!!

 

[CraigW]

I would also strongly recommend that you check the pedal box!!

One of the times before mine broke the biting point of the clutch was really low then a day or 2 later the pedal box went. It mite not be that but its best to have a look!

 

[alb]

I would also strongly recommend that you check the pedal box!!

One of the times before mine broke the biting point of the clutch was really low then a day or 2 later the pedal box went. It mite not be that but its best to have a look!

Thinking about that, the clutch pedel is now sitting lower than the other 2 pedels when not in use, seems like its not coming back as far as it usually would. Would could this be a symptom of the pedel box??

Cheers,
Dan

 

[Cupra Kid]

Thinking about that, the clutch pedel is now sitting lower than the other 2 pedels when not in use, seems like its not coming back as far as it usually would. Would could this be a symptom of the pedel box??

Cheers,
Dan

Yes it definately would, if the clutch/clutch box is at fault don't go forcing it into gear as you could be doing damage to the box and your going to turn a costly job into an extortionate one

 

[alb]

Yes it definately would, if the clutch/clutch box is at fault don't go forcing it into gear as you could be doing damage to the box and your going to turn a costly job into an extortionate one

Thanks Cupra Kid. So is it likely that these problems would be caused by the pedal box then?? I tried to have a look at the box last night, but i didnt really know what i was looking for. I understand that the pedal box is a very common fault with the ibiza?? (dont suppose there has been any recalls on these by Seat??)If it is the pedal box, can anyone give me any idea of the cost to fix/replace?could a replacement be found at a scrappy?or is it better to get a new box?

Sorry for all the questions, but i'm lost without the car for getting to work/uni, and need to get it sorted ASAP.

thanks,
Dan

 

[Cupra Kid]

If the clutch pedal isnt positioned correctly it would mean that the clutch would not disengage properly meaning you couldn't change gear. Signs of a pedal box fault are a creaking clutch pedal, if you have a good look in the day light look for broken welds or bent parts of the box.

New pedal boxes are £75 but i wouldn't recommend this as they are just as weak, yes VAG do know of the fault but there's no recall. The best procedure would be to remove your old one and reinforce it with extra welds or a nut and bolt should it be at fault. Get the clutch cable done at the same time as well as they are only about £20

 

[chris27]

my clutch went a few days ago. started out as being a bit hard to put into 3rd from 2nd and 2nd from 3rd, reverse was also a bit crunchy even when stopped. eventually it went and the bite point was the pedal fully up and i couldnt use the throttle otherwise it would start slipping. clutch cost me 77 quid trade price (from gsf) and i put it in with a friend. not sure how much it would cost elsewhere but it took just over 2 hours to fit. if you can find somewhere that does cheapish labour and you buy the clutch, it shouldnt be stupidly expensive. that of course is if its the clutch.

 

[CraigW]

The best procedure would be to remove your old one and reinforce it with extra welds or a nut and bolt should it be at fault. Get the clutch cable done at the same time as well as they are only about £20

Agree with that. My pedal box now has an M10 bolt going through it. Change the clutch cable as well. Those 2 things and the new clutch i got in february the clutch is so much lighter than it was!!

 

[alb]

I took the car to a garage today, and the mechanic said that it is definitely the pedal box that is going. He says the clutch and gearbox shoud be fine aslong as i dont force it into gear, which i havnt been doing. He says that he cannot give me an exact price untill he strips the car down, and is able to have a proper look at it, which he cant do untill a week next wednesday!!
I have spoken to Seat, and the price for a new pedal box +bolts and fixings is approx £70+VAT. If i was to order this myself, how easy a job is it to fit? I have very limited knowlege of mechanics, but if it was just a case of unbolting the old box and bolting the new one in im sure i could manage that?
I need to get this sorted ASAP, as although the car is drivable at the minute using only gears 2-5, i dont want the box to calapse totally and leave me with no car, or even worse damage the clutch/gearboxand have to fork out for these aswell!
Thanks for all the advice,
Dan

 

[Krishen]

II have spoken to Seat, and the price for a new pedal box +bolts and fixings is approx £70+VAT. If i was to order this myself, how easy a job is it to fit? I have very limited knowlege of mechanics, but if it was just a case of unbolting the old box and bolting the new one in im sure i could Dan

£70 plus vat? that sounds like a really good price. Im sure i read on here that people were getting quoted £300!! Maybe that was for labour as well

 

[alb]

£70 plus vat? that sounds like a really good price. Im sure i read on here that people were getting quoted £300!! Maybe that was for labour as well

I spoke to the Service dept at Seat in sheffield for a quote (just out of interest...i was never going to pay dealership prices) and they said approx £250 in labour charges for just over 3 hrs work. So i guess that would tie in with the other quotes people have had when you add the price of the parts.

Dan

 

[alb]

Well, got her back yesterday after the garage had her for 2 days (was meant to be a day job, but a clip on the pedal box was broken, and Seat couldnt get one until the next day!). The pedal box had actually snapped...It was removed, welded up, bolted and refitted. The car now changes gear etc perfectly, smoother than when i bought it even .

And all that was done for £80, which im very pleased with i think, as i was expecting alot more than that!!

Thanks for all the help and advice everyone!!
Dan

 

[Cupra Kid]

where di you get that done?! they can reinforce mine for me!

 

[Roelích]

My clutch pedal makes odd noises on occasion and I've always had problems getting her into 2nd. I've always told myself I need my gearbox re-conditioning but do you reckon the pedal box could cause the problem?

£80? Where was this? I'd be interested!

 

[alb]

where di you get that done?! they can reinforce mine for me!

My clutch pedal makes odd noises on occasion and I've always had problems getting her into 2nd. I've always told myself I need my gearbox re-conditioning but do you reckon the pedal box could cause the problem?

£80? Where was this? I'd be interested!

A mechanic mate of mine sorted it for me...was at chappeltown at sheffield. Made a good job of it, let me know if you want it doing and i can have a word with him for you.

Could be the problem Roelích...mine started out grinding when going into reverse, then a knocking noise when depressed, and then just woudnt go into 1st or second when running. Does clutch pedel sit lower than others when resting??
Nice to see another Donny-cruiser on here aswell!!

Dan