2011 Yeti 1.2 tsi petrol engine 6 speed manual gearbox 90,000 miles

The clutch pedal went down as normal to engage reverse gear but the gear was very difficult to engage, when first gear was tried the clutch peddle went to the floor and would not return

The problem was not a failed clutch unit as suspected at first

The clutch fluid is fed to the clutch pedal  from the brake master cylinder and then activates the slave cylinder within the bell housing.

The brake fluid master cylinder cap had been overtightened, a vacuum had developed as the brakes wear and the fluid lowers the clutch fluid would move as the clutch pedal was pressed but the vacuum caused the fluid, and therefore the clutch pedal, to not return, simply removing the screw cap on the master cylinder cured what was thought to be a large problem I hope this helps someone else in this group if something similar occurs on their Yeti 

I advise changing the brake/clutch fluid every two or three years as per Skoda uk recommendation and on the advise of another member (many thanks) check the vent on the master cylinder cap 

Edited 24 April, 20188 yr by satire111

2 nd on the forum this week

The seal on the threads of the brake fluid reservoir are not to let air in so it cannot affect the pressure in the reservoir.
The vent is within the cap itself so no matter how tight it is it could not lead to that problem unless that vent was blocked.
I do hope they have not left the cap loose instead of sorting the venting problem.
 

Hi Urrell  I loosened the cap myself and retightened it but less tight, while understanding what you say and agreeing I think what does happen is that the brake/ clutch fluid isn't changed as per Skoda UK advise, this vehicle had been regularly serviced outside the Skoda network the brake fluid, being hydroscopic absorbs the moister  in the air the water itself boils at times when under heavy breaking etc the expansion of the air  in the fluid and then the cooling and contraction and re absorption then causes the vacuum effect the blocking of the vent could well be caused by the non renewal of the fluid  letting debris and light rust contaminate the system I have seen this very thing happen in Vauxhall corsa and a proton all with shared master cylinder fluid and fluid that hadnt been changed regularly  I just hope it would help someone on here not get stung for a new clutch when a simple fix would suffice maybe I should amend my advice to add that a fluid change and vent check would be in order 

I had a similar  problem a few months ago. The MD had the car in  and changed the brake fluid . Said try the care for a few days. No difference . Went back in and they removed the gearbox ,found that the concentric bearing was faulty . This was changed , no problems since.

Yes g7eor it so often is a problem with the concentric clutch that causes the pedal to stay down however in this case above it thankfully was not as drastic as that 

On 24/04/2018 at 20:03, satire111 said:

the blocking of the vent could well be caused by the non renewal of the fluid  letting debris and light rust contaminate the system

 

Was the braking affected as it's from the same reservoir?
If the pedal was at the top pushing it down puts fluid into the slave cylinder from the clutch master cylinder, if there was a vacuum in the reservoir it should have helped the pedal to come up not hold it down.

Edited 26 April, 20188 yr by Urrell