Technical Clutch Problems

[roscoep]

I have a 1.2 Stilo which seems to be having clutch problems. At first I had problems engaging reverse which seemed to crunch everytime I tried, It would go in but crunching. The other gears went in but seemed tougher than usual.

With the other gears becoming harder to engage I decided to take a look at the slave cylinder having read some of the threads in the forum. The old slave cylinder was lookin a little worn and havinf removed it I found the barrel inside just came right out spring and all. I assumed this was broken although no sign of fluid leaks. I replaced the cylinder and bled the system at the beed nipple on the cylinder using a bleed kit. The pressure seems to be back up now and the cylinder is moving however I am not sure if it is moving the fork enough as I believe there is a good centimeter of movement left on the cylinder.

Does anyone think I need to start looking at the Master Cylinder for lack of pressure? Or is my clutch looking like it my be past it? 67000 miles?

I think i could bear the costs for the master cylinder, the cost of a new clutch however scares me.

 

[Deckchair5]

Reverse crunching and notchy selecting of forward gears is usually clutch not fully disengaging. So, you didn't mention, is that fixed now and you have normal selection after the slave cylinder change or is it still bad?

For lack of movement or length of stroke at the slave cylinder end then first of all check the easy one of making sure nothing is fouling the clutch pedal and preventing it getting to the fully up position, like that stupid above the feet sound deadening panel. If the clutch pedal doesn't get fully up then it isnt primed with new fluid from the master cylinder reservoir and the bite point just goes lower and lower.

If it's just not getting enough length of stroke at the slave cylinder to disconnect the clutch properly, then what i do is depress the clutch pedal fully, then jam the clutch lever on the gearbox where it is now, and drag the clutch pedal up with your foot. This gives an extra prime of fluid to the system and moves the length of stroke at the slave cylinder further in. Depress the clutch again, remove whatever jam device you used and then see how you go

If your bite point goes too high you can always bleed out and start again but a crunching gearbox will knock itself out in no time

A 1.2 engine clutch at 67k may not have an awful lot of time left but from what you say it doesn't sound like a physical clutch wear problem, more of a clutch operating system problem

 

[roscoep]

Hi Deckchair, thanks for the advice.

The pedal seems to be coming up as normal and I don't think it is being resticted on the travel down.

The replacement of the slave doesn't seem to have improved things, however I do think there is a more stroke left in the cylinder so the idea of jamming the clutch lever in place and repriming to get more fluid in sounds like it may be a solution.

I'll give that a try and let you know how I get on.

 

[dan-the-man]

my car is getting a bit diffucult to get into gears R and 1st (not a Stilo) but I think that may be the release bearing and it's rattling quite a bit.

when mine struggles getting into gear I put it in any other gear, like 4th then try again and it's fine.

 

[Tripplex]

I have a 1.2 Stilo which seems to be having clutch problems. At first I had problems engaging reverse which seemed to crunch everytime I tried, It would go in but crunching. The other gears went in but seemed tougher than usual.

With the other gears becoming harder to engage I decided to take a look at the slave cylinder having read some of the threads in the forum. The old slave cylinder was lookin a little worn and havinf removed it I found the barrel inside just came right out spring and all. I assumed this was broken although no sign of fluid leaks. I replaced the cylinder and bled the system at the beed nipple on the cylinder using a bleed kit. The pressure seems to be back up now and the cylinder is moving however I am not sure if it is moving the fork enough as I believe there is a good centimeter of movement left on the cylinder.

Does anyone think I need to start looking at the Master Cylinder for lack of pressure? Or is my clutch looking like it my be past it? 67000 miles?

http://www.fixya.com/cars/t1385716-52_plate_fiat_stilo_abarth_2_4_selespeed

I think i could bear the costs for the master cylinder, the cost of a new clutch however scares me.

I have an 02 stilo and had this problem too. It seemed like it only was much worse on cold winter mornings and that once the car has heated up the gears work easier.

At first I cant change at all and I have to switch off the ignition to change in and out of the reverse and the 1st gears (and then restart with the clutch in) to get out of my parking space and then drive very slowly along my road in 2nd. The gears get easier and easier to change and after 15mins or so everything's back to normal. Very frustrating!!!

Done a quick google for problems and I found that the SLAVE cylinder came up the most. Went to the dealer and demanded that they do nothing but change it and then test and it solved the problem. Cost me £180 and drives as good as new but my left shoulder is still very tender

http://www.fixya.com/cars/t1385716-52_plate_fiat_stilo_abarth_2_4_selespeed