General Another clutch question..

[Scotty100hp]

Hi all - in the last few months the clutch pedal in my 94k 2009 100HP has become very heavy. The gears engage properly, there’s no untoward noises and the biting point seems fine. I’ve read anecdotally a heavy clutch pedal is a sign the clutch needs replacing on a 100HP, is that the case or should I look at changing the cylinders first? The clutch and master cylinder have not been changed from new.
Thanks in advance.

 

[koalar]

Hi all - in the last few months the clutch pedal in my 94k 2009 100HP has become very heavy. The gears engage properly, there’s no untoward noises and the biting point seems fine. I’ve read anecdotally a heavy clutch pedal is a sign the clutch needs replacing on a 100HP, is that the case or should I look at changing the cylinders first? The clutch and master cylinder have not been changed from new.
Thanks in advance.

There's always exceptions

But generally yes,.new clutch is normally needed

I have never known it be anything else yet, if it's very stiff

It worth putting some silicone grease down the clutch slave, remove the rubber cap and put it inside, these bind quite badly, but you normally other symptoms, clutch pedal sticking down and or squeaking,.it depends how stiff you mean.can make a notable difference, if it not terribly stiff

You should be able to put an endoscope down the inspection hole and investigate the fingers on the end of the pressure plate

Running the car with a stiff clutch does lead to other problems,.it not unknown for the pedal to snap, they a designed to break in an accident

Or the release bearing to be pushed too far into the pressure plate causing more damage

Not sure if anyone else has a easier way to diagnose, @irc @portland_bill

94k is that on its first clutch ?

 

[portland_bill]

A heavy pedal is usually a sign of wear to the pressure plate, so needing a new clutch.
Fiats can wear the pivot bushes for the release lever, which can sometimes be seen by observing the lever on the top of the gearbox as the pedal is pushed.
The plastic master and slave cylinders get tight as they get old, but generally squeak before they seize up. If they seem to be moving smoothly, it'll be the clutch. Master and slave are not difficult to replace, and will bring a benefit, so could do them first, but don't expect them to fix the issue.
Biggest cause of wear to a clutch is sitting stationary with the pedal held down. Most people do not select neutral and apply the handbrake, so keep pressure on the clutch, wearing the bearing and diaphragm.

 

[irc]

Agree with @koalar and @portland_bill - almost always worn clutch.
If used like that for too long it also tends to cause either the master or slave cylinder (or both) to give up too, although if they are original its probably worth replacing both to go with the nice shiny new clutch.
Should bring it back to the really light showroom-fresh feel.
(Although in my case that tends to highlight all the other bits that need fixing, like noisy drop links and twanging top mounts etc., but its a part of the joy of driving a 100hp)

 

[Scotty100hp]

That’s great info, thanks. The slave was changed a couple of years ago, but I think I’ll just get it all done as you suggest @portland_bill and @irc. Was kidding myself it wasn’t too bad, but having bought a Punto Evo Multiair GP at the weekend with a lovely feeling clutch pedal I’ve realised there’s something amiss.
One last thing, any recommended brands for the clutch?

 

[koalar]

I prefer the original AP that were fitted to both my 1.2 from factory

Valeo also highly recommended

Transmech work, but they feel rubbish, they are either on or off, I wouldn't fit one again for someone else to drive

 

[Scotty100hp]

Brilliant, thanks again.

 

[DaveMcT]

Do take great care to get the correct clutch for your car. Mine was an extreme example but this was the situation.

I had rebuilt my multijet engine. It already had a fairly new clutch, which still had machining marks on the friction material. However I could not get the gearbox to fit. So I removed the clutch (again) intending to refit it, but when I put the friction plate down, it rattled. The centre section was falling apart. The wrong clutch had been fitted and was about to disconnect itself. I had missed this "detail" but did not closely check a nearly new clutch.

I get parts like this from Shop4parts. They are not the least cost option but they take great care to provide the correct parts.