Strange clutch problem

[wallsy77]

Just bought a 2001 Leon Cupra last week with 40k on the clock and all has been fine so far until I took it to work (roughly 20 mile drive) and noticed that on the way home the clutch pedal doesn't seem to move smoothly and when returning the pedal stops just before the top and then returns fully. This is even after I have removed my foot from the pedal.

I've searched through the threads here for clutch pedal problems and am dreading it being the master cylinder problem

Can someone please either alay or confirm my fears that it's the master cylinder.

Also when pumping the pedal at a standstill the pedal is fine.

 

[Mitchy]

Might sound stupid but is it catching on your carpet mat.

Mines sometimes goes too far forward and catches under clutch.

May be worth checking

 

[wallsy77]

Thinking back to just before the problem started I did clean the inside which involve removing the mats which aren't standard. Also I noticed that the mat that should have been on the drivers side was on the passengers side. Mmmm me thinks this could be the problem. I'll check when I get a chance as I'm at work now.

 

[Mitchy]

Just take the mat out so it doesnt slide and then you will know for sure if it is!

It certainly sounds like your mat is getting caught under the pedal and affecting its movement.

 

[wallsy77]

Bingo or should I say Doh!!!!

Had a look at the mat and pedal when pushing the clutch in by hand and it was catching. Might use some velcro on the front of the mats to keep them down once I've moved them back a bit.

Cheers for that. Might have look a complete idiot going to a garage with that.

 

[Mitchy]

Yeah blonde hair, blue eyes, big tits moment

 

[CupraSteve]

i had this problem.

I changed the master clutch cylinder myself, its easy enough just a bit of a fiddly job.

You could try bleeding the system first just incase theres air in it, sometimes this just fixes it, if not then change the master, if that doesnt work will be slave but leave this til last as its in the gearbox and needs gearbox off to do

 

[Mitchy]

He has found the problem steve, didnt you read his post 3 above this

If he started to change the maser cylinder, he would have shot himself i think seeing as the problem was a carpet mat

 

[CupraSteve]

bet ya it isnt the mat, the problem comes and goes, too much coincidence for my liking, but i didnt see that post no, sorry

 

[Mitchy]

It is the mat, he has already confirmed it.

I had exactly the same symptoms with mine hence why i knew his problem straight away.

The mat is pushed too far under the clutch and affects the movement making it stick now and again!

Are you drunk?

 

[CupraSteve]

we will see, how do you explain this then?

"Also when pumping the pedal at a standstill the pedal is fine."

 

[CupraSteve]

Also

"stops just before the top and then returns fully"

surely if the mat were stopping it then it wouldnt return? it sounds too much like the master/slave cylinder problem TBH, best way is to take mat out for a few days and see what happens

i have no doubt the mat may have been catching, but i still dont think this was the cause
but we will have to wait and see

 

[Mitchy]

Im sorry mate but you need to learn how to read. Post 5 will help you!

Many reasons to explain that, the mat was probably not under the clutch at this point!

 

[Mitchy]

Well it was for me seeing as i had EXACTLY the same symptoms!

Nothing to do with master cylinder, thats when the pedal drops to the floor and doesnt come back up! All he complained about was the smoothness of the clutch through its range.

 

[CupraSteve]

well with my cylinder problem my clutch wasnt dropping to the floor doing exactly what he is saying his is doing

 

[Mitchy]

Maybe it was your carpet mats then and you got it changed for no reason

 

[CupraSteve]

considering i have no mats thats isnt an option

 

[Mitchy]

Well im sure he'll post again if theres any further problems

 

[wallsy77]

Just got back from work and the problem has gone.

It seems that on the way down with the pedal the first bit of resistence is when the pedal catches on the mat. On the way back up the pedal catches the mat and slows the return of the pedal. Once clear of the mat the pedal returns as normal but by then my foot's off the clutch.

However we shall see if it returns.

Thanks everyone.