Citan van clutch problem strange!

[Etoboss]

Hi guys. My 109 cdi van has a strange clutch problem.

So sometimes the clutch peddle is like 2” from the floor. Some days the bite is right at the bottom some right at the top. Sometimes the peddle is floppy but when I grab the peddle with my hand and like pump it up and down the peddle then stiffens up. In this heat it’s getting worse. I assumed it needed bleeding so had that done and made no difference.

It’s like now last night when I parked the van up the peddle was fine. Got in it this morning and peddle is on the floor and won’t go into gear obviously so I have to sit there for a few mins playing with it to get it working again

Anyone no what could be the problem ?

Thanks

 

[Etoboss]

Also it had a new clutch fitted when I bought it at 91k. It’s now on 105k. But the clutch problem was there since I bought it

 

[mattkh]

Check under the bonnet to see if it is a cable operated clutch.
I know MBenz borrowed the engine from Nissan.

 

[Droverunner]

I'm 90% sure this has a hydraulic clutch. Assuming so a routine bleed might help. If that doesn't cure it then a slave or master cylinder could be needed (or new seals). Just one long shot though. On an older Mercedes I've helped a friend where the clutch had an assistor to lower pedal effort and when it was faulty the pedal travel and feel was similar to your description.

 

[Etoboss]

Ye it’s hydraulic clutch guys .

Garage did re bleed it but didn’t make any difference. I may just have to get the garage to strip the clutch back to find the problem. Will have a look for a assistor just incase though

 

[ajlsl600]

That's a real mystery. Master cyl, clutch slave cly properly bled? There is normally a spring too bring the clutch fork back following a change . I am inclined that the seals are shot and air getting in when vehicle stood a while. Peel the rubber boot back and see if its full of brake fluid think ur likely changing one poss both.

 

[mattkh]

On an older Mercedes I've helped a friend where the clutch had an assistor to lower pedal effort

A power assisted clutch pedal is so coool.
Please enlighten me as to which car it was on.

 

[ajlsl600]

Leaking pipe union or damaged flare?

 

[Droverunner]

It was an older model... possibly a 190E. It wasn't power assisted it had some sort of over-centre spring arrangement that as I remember helped with the latter half of pedal depression.

Best power clutch ever was the Citroen DS where at the clutch/gearbox end it was a normal manual clutch... but it was depressed hydraulically by a system that detected the initial pressure on the column gear change. You could set up all its operating parameters and it was such a smooth fast change once sorted to suit your driving style.

 

[Etoboss]

That's a real mystery. Master cyl, clutch slave cly properly bled? There is normally a spring too bring the clutch fork back following a change . I am inclined that the seals are shot and air getting in when vehicle stood a while. Peel the rubber boot back and see if its full of brake fluid think ur likely changing one poss both.

Definitely not a spring fault mate. As if it was it will always be the same. This peddle has a mind of its own. If really does feel like it’s just air in the system so will get it bleeded again just to make sure. There is no leaks at all from anywhere never lost any fluid.

It’s like today it’s been fine most of the day felt normal then as I just popped out the peddle was so floppy and bite was really low but I guarantee in the morning the peddle will feel fine. It’s a proper head burn.

 

[ajlsl600]

Interested in outcome. Baffled

 

[mattkh]

It’s a proper head burn.

Is the fluid in the clutch slave cylinder shared with the brake fluid ???