Hi Guys
My hydraulic clutch has started playing up.
The pedal has little resistance for about half the travel down.
The clutch is now biting very low in fact just as I release the pedal.

I have bled the system but no change.
I replaced the slave cylinder over a year ago.
Any ideas as to the problem?
Could it be the clutch itself going?
Master cylinder going?
Slave cylinder gone again?
The resevoir stays full and when I pump the pedal there is no change in the resistance.
Thanks
Pete

sounds like the clutch itself is about to give up. one way to test see how knackered the clutch is, is put it in 3rd and floor it from low revs, if the engine starts revving and ur not really accelerating then the clutch is spinning and its fooked

Dunc

Ummm... if the clutch is biting 'low' I'd say it's not about to give up. When the linings are almost completely worn, the clutch will bite 'high'.

Dunc's test is still a good one, but we also have to remember that with 45bhp and no turbo, the engine may not have the guts to slip the clutch in third gear and the clutch itself will last a lot longer anyway.

I think it's 'biting low' because the clutch hydraulics are not throwing the clutch out as far as they should. (Is it difficult to engage reverse gear?) Pretty much as you said, with no resistance for the first half of the travel. The symptoms point to the need for clutch bleeding... but you've already done this... and so apart from the slave cylinder there's really only the master cylinder to go, isn't there?

So, sorry, but I think you're going to have to try changing the master cylinder first - I wouldn't automatically assume that the clutch itself is worn out. Have you tried watching the clutch operating arm to see if it's moving while someone else pushes the clutch pedal down? If there's no movement for the first half of the travel, then clearly something's wrong (air in the system - maybe try bleeding just one more time - or faulty master cylinder, possibly faulty slave cylinder but hopefully unlikely).

It's bad luck that you're having problems with your Uno again (first the ignition, then this) but I suppose at the age of it, you can't complain too much

-Alex

Thanks Alex
I think she knows her mot is coming up so is showing all these problems.
Not to worry it has been a fantastic work car for me and I am hoping to squeeze another year out of her.

I agree with you on the biting low means the arm/rod is not being pushed far enough, yes reverse is difficult clunks like a boxing bell when I engage.

I will bleed it again, if no joy will have to look at the master cylinder.

Still have to swap windscreens and get hold of a front wiper motor b4 the mot.
Cheers
Pete

oops, didnt think of that lol! just persuming it was a turbo from the ammount of UT related topics recently!

Dunc

No worries Dunc
I did try as u suggested and there was no slip so it is the clutch engagement that seems to be the prob.
Pete

Also, take a look at this thread: https://www.fiatforum.com/uno-technical/29364-hydraulic-clutch.html?highlight=clutch+bleeding

It was dug up about six months later and I started to repeat myself by mistake but at least Louie got it off to a great start and put in some photos and accurate advice.

Cheers,
-Alex

Thanks for the link Alex.
Do you know how to remove the master hydraulic unit as I can see no bolts.
Thanks
Pete

Sorry my last post should read how to remove the slave cylinder in the engine bay.
Pete

Peterg,
(oops, sorry I didn't reply earlier)
The slave cylinder has a circlip to be removed. That gives you a nice confident feeling inside, but of course the cylinder then doesn't come out of its bracket due to a super-strong corrosion bond.

Leaving the cylinder attached, the bracket can be unbolted from the gearbox (I think something else has to come off as well, maybe the thermostat or starter motor, can't quite remember).

-Alex

Cheers Alex
Circlip it is then, I have found one on e bay currently £10 so will hopefully get it and sort the problem out.
Pete