Clutch pedal on the floor!

[Mylo2912]

Hi,

Had the Clutch Master Cylinder replaced yesterday at an Independent VW / Audi specialist in Leeds. They originally diagnosed the Slave cylinder at fault, but after dismantling and testing they found it was the master. They showed me a broken piece of black plastic roughly the size of a pencil on the old Master cylinder.
So I drove my LTDi home and the clutch travel was much better, smooth return all the way back up.

But this morning I got in and pressed the clutch as I started up and the pedal stayed there! I hooked my foot under it and it popped back up. I drove it 5 miles to work, then my wife took it a further 5 miles to her work. The clutch didn't show any problems.

I've got a long drive this weekend and can't really take it back to the garage until next week.

Do you think it will be OK? Perhaps it just needed bleeding? Perhaps it'll happen every morning? Perhaps I don't know what I'm talking about?

 

[Marshall]

Well sounds as though you had a problem in the master cylinder maybe to do with pedal return it something.
But usually when a clutch pedal goes to the floor the clutch slave cylinder is the cause.
Other things can cause it like a pipe not sealing properly buy usually you lose the pedal until you bleed it again.
With the clutch slave causing it you usually lift the pedal back up and the clutch will operate fine until parked for a few hours again.


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[robdf2]

Have a look at the brake cylinder and make sure there is enough fluid in there , you may have a small leak which is starving your clutch overnight , but when you press the pedal the pressure builds up again.

 

[Mylo2912]

Thanks Kevs FR and Robdf2. I'll have a look tonight. Hopefully its not gonna be too serious.

 

[bigbadjay]

I hope they did the clutch plate for you at the same time = works out bettin in the long run

 

[Marshall]

I hope they did the clutch plate for you at the same time = works out bettin in the long run

I assumed they hadn't removed the gearbox yet and had done the easier one.
Your right though if they do replace the slave I'd replace the clutch to then that's it finished with.


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[sam7]

Could just be a bit of air still in the system after the bleeding. I like the leave the pedal jammed down with a bar on the seat overnight if I change the Concentric type (like yours) as it lets any trapped or tricky bubbles to escape. Passat TDi ones are the worst for that.
If it is still bad in the morning take it back for another bleed or further dianosis.

 

[Mylo2912]

Thanks for everyone's input. This could be a long post...

I've only had the car since July 2nd. It didn't display the clutch not rising fully problem, until after I'd had a half hour test drive and driven it, four hours home.
So, when I noticed it, I took it to a VW specialist on 13th July, and paid £65+vat for a diagnosis. They said it was the Slave cylinder and quoted me 2 hours labour and £59 part. I got a 6 month warranty with the car from a company called Auto Protect Administration, so called them. They said it should only take 1 hour labour, for which they pay £55 ph +vat. So I agreed to pay VW Specialist the remaining hours labour & £10 difference.
Took Leon on Weds morning, told it would be done by end of the day. Got dropped off at garage on Weds evening, to be told it wasn't ready, and they had tried to send me a message! Not received! VW Specialist said upon removing Slave cylinder they found it was actually the Master which was at fault. They said it will be finished on Thurs.
On Thurs morning, they called to say "Its gonna take longer than we said, because the Master cylinder bolt is behind the stereo" They said they would contact my Warranty company, and that my original quote would stand. I asked them to call me after they had spoken to my warranty company. They didn't, so I called them in the afternoon, to be told "Its all sorted, pick it up tonight" So I did. Drove about 20 miles without a issue, clutch felt fine.
Then this morning, the clutch was on the floor. This happened again this evening, so I called VW Specialist back. This time they said "Both cylinders should have been replaced" and said they could do it on Monday morning.
Called Warranty company, who said they need to hear it from the VW Specialist befoe any work can proceed.
So I'm thinking VW Specialist will quote two hours labour and Slave cylinder (£59) and Warranty company might only agree to pay one hours labour and part. Do you think the garage should replace the Slave and not charge me the extra labour????
All I want is the Garage to Fix the car, and the Warranty Company to pay the costs. Surely thats what they're for? I'm already £78 down for the first diagnosis and £90 down on the labour balance!
Sorry about the long ranting post!

 

[sam7]

So they have replaced both cylinders (slave & Master) and they want to do them again?? or....

Did they take out the slave realise it was the master so put the old slave back only to find after repalcing the master is was the slave?!?!

 

[bigbadjay]

Id find a new garage, nightmare!

 

[Mylo2912]

So they have replaced both cylinders (slave & Master) and they want to do them again?? or....

Did they take out the slave realise it was the master so put the old slave back only to find after repalcing the master is was the slave?!?!

Yeah the latter. They left the original Slave in, replaced the Master and now say they should have replaced both. Do you think I'm entitled to ask for zero labour charges?

 

[Marshall]

I was under the impression that all mk2 Leon's petrol and diesel had the slave cylinder inside the bell housing so needed the gearbox removed to inspect replace etc?
I'm sure they are and the labour time would be close to 5 hours gearbox removal and slave replacement.
Unless I'm totally wrong it sounds like your being fed a load of crap about the slave cylinder being inspected.

Can you confirm exactly what age and model of Leon you have.

 

[Nath.]

Thanks for everyone's input. This could be a long post...

I've only had the car since July 2nd. It didn't display the clutch not rising fully problem, until after I'd had a half hour test drive and driven it, four hours home.
So, when I noticed it, I took it to a VW specialist on 13th July, and paid £65+vat for a diagnosis. They said it was the Slave cylinder and quoted me 2 hours labour and £59 part. I got a 6 month warranty with the car from a company called Auto Protect Administration, so called them. They said it should only take 1 hour labour, for which they pay £55 ph +vat. So I agreed to pay VW Specialist the remaining hours labour & £10 difference.
Took Leon on Weds morning, told it would be done by end of the day. Got dropped off at garage on Weds evening, to be told it wasn't ready, and they had tried to send me a message! Not received! VW Specialist said upon removing Slave cylinder they found it was actually the Master which was at fault. They said it will be finished on Thurs.
On Thurs morning, they called to say "Its gonna take longer than we said, because the Master cylinder bolt is behind the stereo" They said they would contact my Warranty company, and that my original quote would stand. I asked them to call me after they had spoken to my warranty company. They didn't, so I called them in the afternoon, to be told "Its all sorted, pick it up tonight" So I did. Drove about 20 miles without a issue, clutch felt fine.
Then this morning, the clutch was on the floor. This happened again this evening, so I called VW Specialist back. This time they said "Both cylinders should have been replaced" and said they could do it on Monday morning.
Called Warranty company, who said they need to hear it from the VW Specialist befoe any work can proceed.
So I'm thinking VW Specialist will quote two hours labour and Slave cylinder (£59) and Warranty company might only agree to pay one hours labour and part. Do you think the garage should replace the Slave and not charge me the extra labour????
All I want is the Garage to Fix the car, and the Warranty Company to pay the costs. Surely thats what they're for? I'm already £78 down for the first diagnosis and £90 down on the labour balance!
Sorry about the long ranting post!

Slave cylinder is cheaper, master cylinder is more expensive. The garage have gone for the expensive option because they aren't paying and they broke it when they removed it.

Now they want more money to fit the part that's really the problem.

Go back and throw a F**K at them, get a refund and then go elsewhere.

 

[bigbadjay]

Nath said it all

 

[Mylo2912]

It's an 07 Reg 1.9 105. 5 years old but only 29,000 miles with full history. I'm thinking they should fix it, and I'll be left with a decent car. I'm calling the Independent VW in Leeds in the morning. Asking what they propose to do about this F up, how long it's gonna take, and how I won't be paying for the displeasure. I'm not the type to start naming and shaming because I'm confident they're professionals and will do the decent thing. If they don't agree to cover costs between themselves and my warranty. I'll be asking for some serious advice. Thanks everyone.

 

[Marshall]

Well as I've said there clutch slave cylinder is inside the gearbox so it doesn't sound like its been inspected as above when they do it would be best to replace the clutch at the same time.


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[Mylo2912]

Well. Took the Leon back to the VW Audi specialist in Leeds this morning. Told them about the clutch failing to rise after starting up in the morning. This morning, I couldn't even get it into gear before I pulled the pedal up, and tried again.
So anyway, the garage called back saying they can't find anything wrong with the clutch pedal. Maybe it was stuck under my car mats! Told them it happened when the mats were out of the car at the weekend, so they suggest it must be the clutch itself. What a load of crap.
To be honest, I'm almost glad they can't work on my car now, and I'll be taking it to a clutch specialist ASAP. I just wish they'd not worked on my car at all now.

 

[sfmk2.]

Sounds like the spring in the slave has gone to me. My Fix It Again Tomorrow Cu*to had this issue, but ended up well and truly stuck in reverse. :\

 

[Marshall]

Sounds like they are trying to justify the labour to replace the slave.
Anyway load of shite.
I wouldn't take it to a clutch specialist you'd be better taking it to someone who knows about and experience with vag cars.
Not a difficult fix to anyone with knowledge how the system works.


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[Mylo2912]

Well. Well Well. I drove the 07 Leon 1.9 TDi from the VW & Audi Specialist In Leeds last night. Clutch seemed fine, just like they said.
This morning (Tues 23rd) The clutch pedal was back on the floor. Couldn't engage a gear. So I'll called Seat Breakdown Assist (12 Months Free with Seat Service) Who sent an AA van out in about 25 mins. AA Patrolman looked under bonnet whilst I told him what fun I've been having with the clutch pedal. He could see evidence of work on the Master. I called VW Specialist in Leeds to tell em the AA would be bring my immobile car back to them.
Got hire car sorted through AA through Seat Assist (Good Service). Garage have just phoned me this afternoon saying that the 28k mile TDi need a New Clutch, a New Flywheel and A New Slave Cylinder. £1116. Plus they've contacted my Warranty company who say its not covered as they're wear and tear items. I've had this car for 22 days. The garage I bought it from is 4 hours away in Kent. Anyone got a suggestion?