Breakdown - Clutch not coming back up

[student91]

Hi all, 

1.6 tdi 175k on the clock broke down in the middle of the road. Couldn't get into gear and kept stalling, and the clutch wasn't coming back up. It's all the way down! 

 

I have a feeling this is the end of my steed's journey as the turbo went several weeks ago, and I expect best thing is to squeeze the last few quid out of it. 

 

But just so I know... What usually happens? I've been reading about bleeding the clutch but mine seems too far gone? And I'm presuming it costs 500 or more to replace so not worthwhile in my case but just need to confirm. Thanks all

[Lyminton]

It looks like the clutch master cylinder. Cost £125 and you can change it yourself...

[mrgf]

Try Mr. clutch as they are cheaper, with two year warranty. I expect a bill of around £320-£350.

This can be the clutch itself as sometimes they wear and then slip but they can just fail and the same thing as you described happens. You might be able to pull it back up via the pedal but it still won't work.

The get home method (Or to the garage,etc), If you have no breakdown cover, is to pop the car in to second gear, start the engine, which will bump start the car, drive gently and when you need to stop, brake nice and gently until you get to the stopping place, where the car will then stall. Repeat until you get to your destination.

You could also try slipping the car out of gear, then brake to a stop, switch off and repeat, if you prefer.

 

My advice is to do this on a quiet time of day and for not too great a distance. Its more about the stop starts then the actual length of journey as you won't want a knackered starter motor and/or battery too!

 

If you do this method, I would advise r-charging the battery once completed.

As for the turbo, there are many good specialist turbo repairers or VW repairers and you might not spend as much as you thought. 

Even sourcing your own unit might be an option. Eurocarparts, carparts4less, etc may have the unit you require.

They will almost certainly want the old one back so you will pay an additional cost, which will be retuned if you give the old one back within a specified amount of time. 

[student91]

So the RAC fellow came round and all he did was lift the clutch back up as mrgf describes above. He gave it a few pumps and seemed OK, so I managed to drive it all the way back home. About 8 miles of city driving in rush hour.

 

He did say the problem can come back but I'm just thinking that if it's not completely a lost cause then is there something I can do to fix it? 

[rum4mo]

On ‎17‎/‎10‎/‎2018 at 08:12, Lyminton said:

It looks like the clutch master cylinder. Cost £125 and you can change it yourself...

 

student91 I think that maybe the above posting answers your question.

[mrgf]

...Just take care as you won't want it to fail at an inopertune moment!