I am becoming more convinced that ongoing gear engagement problems with my Citigo are due to inconsistent clutch operation. Sometimes the pedal feels a little 'odd' and this coincides with grating gear sounds. I know that the clutch operation is hydraulic, but I can't see any fluid reservoir, and various online searches have yielded no information about how to adjust the Citigo/Mii/Up clutch.

Does anyone know how to check/adjust the Citigo clutch?

The reservoir is the same as the brake fluid. There is no adjustment afaik, it could mean the slave cylinder is wearing

Adjuster for hydraulic clutch is usually at rod which connects pedal and clutch master cylinder. Haven't check if there is one in Citigo though.

I think someone said it was clutch adjustment a few years back when they had 'gearbox issues', though I think someone else said it was possible to adjust the gear linkage too (is it cable operated?). Unfortunately, I think you need a proper mechanic to identify this kind of thing.... 

Cable operated it is, gear "linkage".

The dealer has already 'adjusted' the gear linkage. As I stated in the opening post, the clutch pedal occasionally feels soft and squidgy, and that coincides with gears grating. There must be adjustment somewhere in the clutch mechanism, either at the pedal or at the gearbox.

There is no clutch adjustment on the citigo.

It does sound like there's air in the system though, try bleeding the slave cylinder

There is no clutch adjustment on the citigo.

That's what Toyota dealer told me about Avensis. I went home and adjusted it by myself. :-)

Edited 29 June, 201610 yr by Emil

It does sound like there's air in the system though, try bleeding the slave cylinder

If there is air, it's important to find out where it come from. Not very common for such a new car.

That's what Toyota dealer told me about Avensis. I went home and adjusted it by myself. :-)

That's great! There's still no adjustment on a citigo clutch though.

Other than bleeding it there's not a great deal can be done.

That pretty much confirms my thoughts. There are many examples of senseless cost-cutting in these cars, so I'm not unduly surprised by this. I will get my car's clutch circuit checked and bled by a local independent. It would be interesting to see the state of the slave cylinder from my car, and particularly the end of its actuator. Quite clearly it doesn't push far enough.

Reply to Shuggie,

You believe it's a case of Senseless Cost Cutting.

Shurely, if cost cutting was the motive here, they'd have put a Cable operated Clutch in the Citigo!

Hydraulic Cluches have got to be more expensive for Manufacturers to install in Cars than simple Cable (bicycle technology) Systems I would have thought?

Cable Clutches v Hydraulic Cluches?

 

Cable Clutches would appear at face value to be the preferred choice when Talking about Car Clutches because they're Simpler Technology, Cheaper to Install & Maintain.

But, there's a big Draw Back with Cable Clutches from a user point of view!

If (as is most likely) the Cable Breaks whilst on the Road, you're Stuck...

And there's no warning as to when this might happen, the Cable just breaks.

 

Whereas, a Hydraulic Clutch failure is more gradual (leaky seals resulting in inconsistent clutch operation), over a period of time which indicates to the Driver that 'all is not well'.

This gives the Driver prior warning to do something about it & get it fixed.

All modern cars have hydraulic clutches and are "self adjusting". Most of them use a combined brake/clutch cylinder fluid. Almost completely maintenance free and very reliable. Way better than cable operated clutches. The main issues with cable are (as explained by Ronn) the cables do actually break, and nipples let go too, and the self adjuster ratchet also often breaks, leaving you by the roadside unless you are adept at changing gear without the clutch. This has happened to me and it's not nice! So the issue with your Citigo is probably some air in the system, or the clutch disc may be sticking on it's splines at certain temperatures and under certain traffic conditions. Both not unheard of on any make of car. You should definitely follow it up with your dealer and at least make sure you have the issue logged on their system.

An update on this.  After 3 years of no progress whatsoever with the local Skoda dealer in trying to resolve the gear engagement problems that have plagued the car since it was new, I finally took it to a local transmission specialist.  They agree with me - it is the clutch, they said, and added ' we can do that for you'.  So, the Citigo has had a new clutch, at a cost of a little under £400, and I'm pleased to report that I can now engage all gears at all times without difficulty.  It is very odd to be able to engage reverse gear without hearing gears grinding.

 

What this proves is that Skoda fitted clutches of variable quality in the factory.  Since the clutch hydraulic system has no adjustment, a new (premium quality) clutch pack was required, and it works perfectly at all times.  

 

So,  for anyone still battling to get their Citigo into first, second and reverse gears, my advice is to badger the dealer to replace the clutch with one that engages and disengages properly - this is all that is required.  My Citigo is now the car that I expected it to be over 3 years ago and it's annoying that I had to pay for the cure.  I will write to Skoda UK but I very much doubt that I'll receive any compensation or apology.