Hi

Owner of a 2006 Octavia 2 2.0 FSi with about 80,000 miles on the clock. Driving home yesterday and had a problem with the car which I'm trying to solve (having little mechanical knowledge!).

Essentially whilst changing gear the clutch pedal after being pressed did not return for some time. Came to a stop and turned the engine off and the pedal finally returned to its normal position. Tried the gearbox and gears engaged ok however when engine turned on no gears will engage. THe car is driveable (i.e.. if you start it in 1st to 3rd) but only if you don't change gear!

Anyone know what the issue is as my assumption is that the clutch has gone and could cost big bucks!? However if it changes gear with the engine turned off with no problems maybe it's something else (cheaper I hope!)

Thanks to anyone who can help!

Is your car's clutch paddle hard after the problem...........????

I sounds like the clutch is staying disengaged (no drive between engine and gearbox). I would guess that there is a problem with the hydraulics system. Might not be too expensive.

Thanks moley - sounds promising! Really hope it doesn't cost too much...

Not had this problem on an Octavia, but the symptoms are identical to those I had when the clutch failed on my Primera GT.

The fault was that the pressure plate had failed, and not allowing the clutch to disengage. This would also explain why you can change gear with the engine off - you don't need to disengage the clutch for this. This could also be caused by a failing release bearing.

Sadly, the only option is to fit a new clutch. Not bad though after 80K

Cheers Bubbles - that doesn't sound too good but maybe expected. I'm taking it in to the local garage on Monday so will find out then - guess i'm just looking for a rough cost of how much it's going to be to get it repaired. I've prepared myself for a large bill!

Aren't the master and slave cylinders a weak point on the Octavia?

Just having some more thoughts about this issue. I got my car recovered at the roadside and brought back home on a truck which took about 4 hours. Tried the gearbox again with the engine on when the car was taken off the recovery truck and the gears engaged no problem. However, a couple of minutes (if that) later the gears would not engage again when the engine was on - no problem with engine off?

thanks for everybodys help so far

What's the fluid level like in the master cylinder- can you see any leaks on it or the slave cylinder?

Hi littleade - sorry I'm not sure tbh. Don't really know if i could even identify the cylinders as I'm pretty green on the mechanical side. I'll have a look tomorrow and see if I can spot anything though. Do you think it might be a hydraulic leak causing the problem?

It's a possibility- if you do have a leak you'll also have air being sucked in to the system which would stop the clutch fully disengaging. Usually when a clutch goes the usual symptom is it starts to slip as the friction plate has worn thin, so fingers crossed it's not the clutch. Another thing to try is when it won't go in to pump the clutch pedal to see if that helps which if it does could indicate air in the system. It could be what bubbles has suggested too- a knackered pressure plate which would mean a new clutch. best of luck!

If it is the local garage hourly rate will probably be cheaper than a main dealer- as an alternative are there any clutch specialist centres by you?

Cheers littleade - i'll definitely have a look at that tomorrow. I didn't notice anyhting worng with the clutch before this (i.e. no slipping) so here's hoping it's the cylinder and not the whole clutch that needs replacing. Nearest specialist to me would probably be Glasgow (25 miles away) so I'll give the local guy a try as i don't fancy driving the car that far or getting it towed.

thanks very much for your help

flippin' ec!, Did you get your clutch problem sorted?