Clutch/Clutch pedal problems

[Banjonez]

Hey guys, just looking for some advice on a problem I encountered this morning whilst trying to get to work. Jumped in my S3, it was already in neutral from when I parked up last night, turned on the engine, adjusted the radio as usual, when to press the clutch in and the pedal was already at the floor. Now I'm not that knowledgeable with clutches as I've never had one go wrong? So I'm just wondering what it may be and what I'm gonna have to do. Is it the actual clutch, is it the clutch cable, or could it be to do with hydraulics? And do you have any idea of cost? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Ben

 

[Matt82]

hydraulics, the brake fluid in the hydraulic clutch release system aint doing what its supposed to

probably a dead slave or master cylinder unfortunately

 

[mk1chopper]

Failed slave cylinder would be my guess, whats the milage on your car? Mine failed recently, you might find you've lost a lot of brake fluid too, which is a sure sign. If its a failed slave cylinder your looking at a new clutch too. The TT shop charges £650 for a new clutch, slave cylinder replacement and wheel alignment. You might require a new flywheel too but this isnt always the case (budget another £300-£400 ontop for the flywheel). Its worth double checking that the clutch pedal hasnt broken as this is common problem on the S3 and a lot cheaper and easier than replacing the slave cylinder.

 

[Banjonez]

It's on the best part 73k. It's costing me a bomb this month, MOT, I had the cambelt changed and a 10k service less than a week ago. Not a good month for my bank account.

 

[mk1chopper]

Unfortunatly routine service is required to save you from footing even larger bills. I would have thought on that milage the flywheel will be ok. Mine was on 103k the clutch was well worn and the flywheel had excessive play. TTS will clean and inspect the flywheel as they dont always need changing. Its a gear box off job to change the slave cylinder and if its failed no doubt its leaked fluid onto the clutch which means you have to change it, plus if your going to drop the gearbox you might aswell change the clutch while your there. Where abouts are you based?

 

[Banjonez]

I'm in Hereford, West Midlands.

 

[mk1chopper]

Dont know of any specialist in that area. Who carrys out the work for you normally? Audi have a fixed price scheme for regular service which is reasonable but they normally screw you over for anything else.

 

[Banjonez]

I was fiddling with the clutch pedal a couple of days ago and it started working again, so yesterday I had the time to drive it (cautiously I might add) to my local garage which is about a mile away from my house. I had a phone call off the garage today saying they couldn't fine anything wrong with the clutch, the slave cylinder works fine, they can't fine a leak, all the fluid is spot on what it should be. They even took it on a road test and said they couldn't find a problem with it. I find this all very weird? Do you think it was just a one time thing, have any of you come across this before? Thanks Ben

 

[5ean]

I've had this a couple of times as well.. As i knew none of the above, i stuck my foot behind the pedal and it popped back in to normal position fine and indeed works fine. First time that happened was over a year ago and its still working with no issues.. If it aint broke...................

 

[finesse]

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?94452-OMG-Clutch-Pedal-Just-snapped

 

[S3KO4]

Air lock could be the issue here, it happens mainly when you put new clutch on and it needs bleeding, not the simplest job, but I guess some of it never comes out fully and could find itself back in the clutch bearing making it stuck in the flat position. I wouldn't worry.

 

[Banjonez]

So it just happened to me again while I was just about to leave work. I had a word with one of the mechanics from work who has worked on a lot of audi's and he seems to think it is the master cylinder, he checked the brake fluid and there was a black gunk around the cap and the fluid had black bits in it. Has anyone else come across this and how much did it cost to rectify?

 

[Dave83]

Well Ive just experienced the clutch peddle snapping, lucky there was no other cars about and i could just coast into a lay by. Have done a search but cant seam to find any part numbers for the new peddle and the bits needed to sort it out. Does anyone know the part numbers and a approx price ?

Many Thanks Dave

 

[Banjonez]

Just rang the local garage (not a VAG specialist) to see what's going on with the car, it is the slave cyl that has gone. The bloke said it was going to be a costly job which I expect (I though around £6-700) he says there is a lot of work involved, dropping the gearbox out, removing the sub frame and the steering, and he also said something about the 4wd system is a slight problem aswell and it could cost as much as £900. Is he having me on?

 

[Ian W]

When my slave cylinder went I paid just over £900 for new Slave, Clutch and Flywheel.

Had the master cylinder go last week on mine, another £200 !