Got a 'R' Plate punto (mk1, 97) 60S.

For the last few months i've been noticing thats its been getting harder and harder to get the car in gear, not much but noticable none the less.

However in the last couple of days and yesterday especially it has been really hard to select gear to the point that to get into reverse without a huge crunching noise means switching the engine off, selecting gear and starting her back up again.

When the engine is off, gears can be selected easily with no trouble whatsoever. But with the engine on then it takes an amount of force to get out of gear and then select the next one. This is across all 5 gears.

As the car has a hydraulic clutch how would this effect the biting point?

I've been quoted £195 to replace the clutch, is this reasonable?

And in conclusion, do you agree with me that the clutch is the likely source of the fault?

Clutch most likely for me as its getting progressively harder, no fluid leaks from the master or slave cylinders I guess? U may have a dodgy seal in the slave or try bleeding it, could be air in the system. If the clutch dont slip its gotta be in the seperation of clutch plate and flywheel causing drag in the 'box IMO.

Oh and I would say the biting point would go more toward the floor.

It has to be said i haven't noticed any or much slipping of the clutch, the car still drives pretty good when it is in gear... how would i check to see if the fluid was leaking?

Clutch fluid wont dry out, not quickly anyway, so look for damp / wet patches around the master cylinder, slave cylinder and pipework in between.

Of course it may not be a leak but a seal inside that is releasing hydraulic pressure rendering the system less efficient, in that case a new slave is the cheapest option as a starter, but a complete clutch bleed would be needed afterwards.

Where would clutch fluid be added into the system, is there a way to check the level?

would replacement of the cylinders be replaced with the clutch?

Now ur asking mate. I am unsure whether the clutch and brakes use the same master cylinder or separate items. You could change both Master and slave but unlikely both will have a fault, assuming its not a leak elsewhere, and it would be more expensive. Maybe some Techie Punto expert will jump in soon with hands on experience of this?

Check the clutch slave cylinder, its on top of the gearbox underneath the battery, get someone to press the clutch pedal while you look for leaks, its a common problem on the mk1 punto. The clutch doesnt get fully engaged even though the pedal is to the floor, also check the brake fluid reservoir to make sure its not running low, other than that it could get expensive as it could be wear on the syncros in the gearbox and that will require a new one.

confirmed as the clutch.... going in to get replaced on tuesday for £195

just got to drive round it till then...