Hydraulic Clutch Problems

[Rob Turbo 3]

I have the 406 v6 hydraulic clutch setup on my 306, it was a PITA to get working because somehow air had got into the system and there's no bleed screw or anything, it's a sealed system apart from the cap can be taken off the resevoir to top up/check the fluid. To get the air out I had to hold it with the resevoir at the highest point, with the cap off, and tap the line with the handle of a screwdriver, while pumping the slave cylinder, to push the air back up to the resevoir (took bloody ages!)

 

The problem I'm having is the clutch will slip when the under bonet temperature gets up, from cold, for about 5-10 minutes it's perfect, not even a hint of slip no matter what you throw at it, but then it gradually gets worse. To start with it will only slip in 3rd or higher when you put your foot down, so can be avoided easily by building up on the throttle rather than mashing it into the floor! Then after a while, not a long while either, it will start slipping badly, and has to be driven very gently to avoid slippage.

 

The clutch plate, cover and release bearing were brand new before the engine went in, done a couple of thousand miles since, the problem wasn't there to start with and it's gradually getting worse, probably because the clutch is wearing badly due to it slipping.

 

Now, I seem to remember reading somewhere that old brake/clutch fluid expands when it gets warm/hot, which would explain this problem, if it expands and starts pushing the slave cylinder it would be like driving with my foot on the clutch. How true is this? Changing the fluid would be a time consuming job, I'd have to tip all the old fluid out, pump it all out with the slave cylinder, then go back through what I did to get the air out, but it would probably take a few days!!

 

Peugeot did change the system on the later models to include a bleed valve, but these are rather expensive, so would have to be found 2nd hand, and even then they would still be quite expensive I'd imagine.

 

What I need to know mainly is what could be causing the problem, so I don't go buying loads of bits that leave me with exactly the same problem!!

[Paul_13 212 1 Cars]

What type of fluid are you using in the clutch lines? Brake fluid?

Can 5.1 racing fluid be used or is that too thin.

 

What a PITA not having a bleed screw!

Edited June 6, 2009 by paul_xiii

[Goliath 94]

I can get you a new shaft made up for the v6 gearbox so you can use a cable clutch and get rid of the hydraulic bollox. Thats what I have on mine.

[Rob Turbo 3]

I have a spare 'box that I could pull bits out of to adapt for a cable, but removing the engine and box so I can swap it all over is a last resort! Thanks for the offer though (how much can you get them done for though? Might not be worth me messing on if it comes to needing one!)

 

I think it's brake fluid in the clutch system, I suppose I could try 5.1 if I change the fluid. I'll have a look at it later to see if there's any way of drilling and tapping for a bleed nipple!

[welshpug 1,657]

when it happens, try disconnecting the slave cylinder then driving it, that would eliminate the release mechanism and see if its that causing the issue.