Hi everyone.

I hope you are all well and taking good care during these strange times.

Managed to break the trusty Fiat Punto today (Mark 2, petrol 1,2, 2003). Had several heavy buckets in the back (this may just be coincidence) drove a short distance, stopped at traffic light, went to pull away and nothing. The car won't move in any gear. It doesn't make any unusual sound, and it didn't make a bang or anything when it failed at the lights.

With the engine running I can engage any gear without using the clutch.
Depressing the clutch doesn't feel much if any different than before the problem. The clutch did use to bite near the top of its return.

Not sure if it's useful info but the speedometer doesn't register any speed when revving.

The gear cable/linkage appears to be working fine.

It might be my imagination, but when I put the car in gear and bring the clutch up there may be a very very slight increase in car vibration. But barely detectable.

I contacted Green flag through their App and they took my beaut to the nearest garage on the back of a truck without looking at it. Using Green Flag's App you answer 3 or 4 questions about the state of the problem and that was apparently enough in this case to confirm clutch failure and they sent out a truck to collect rather than a mechanic.

Please, any ideas?

I'm hoping to get some info to help me with my communication with the garage over the next couple of days. I guess it's likely a pricey fix whether it be anything to do with clutch or transmission.

Take care and thanks for your thoughts.

Stuart

If the clutch was only biting at the end of the pedal travel it looks like the clutch is worn and something has then additionally happened to finish it off. My clutch if fairly new. I have to have the seat surprisingly forward to get the pedal sufficently down. Perhaps I have a fault of my own coming? Maybe i am shrinking!

Thanks for reply!

Yea the clutch was a bit high, I wondered if it may be a sticky slave cylinder or possibly master keeping the clutch from engaging hence why I can select all gears? Any logic to this?

Thanks again.

Stuart

SHoops said:

Thanks for reply!

Yea the clutch was a bit high, I wondered if it may be a sticky slave cylinder or possibly master keeping the clutch from engaging hence why I can select all gears? Any logic to this?

Thanks again.

Stuart

Click to expand...

That makes sense. If they have not started on the car the slave is easily removed to check that idea.

Mechanic took a look and are confident clutch plates have broken up. Also found the engine to be leaking and a hole in the floor!

Unfortunately going to let this one go. Was happy to have the clutch replaced but with a subframe advisory as well I think I'm heading to an expensive year of motoring. I will return to the Puntos as soon as I can. I love em!

Take care all

Stuart