I'm getting a loud clicking noise from the clutch pedal on cold damp mornings when the car has been left for longer than usual. Repeated pressing for a good number of minutes eventually stops it until the next time. 

 

Anything to worry about and is there a way to stop it happening?

That could be as simple as the clutch return spring for the pedal stretching and clicking (lubrication reqd).

However, if you are getting the noise from a running engine at idle, then could be potentially either the clutch or thrust plate or even the dual mass flywheel springs playing up.

 

Whats the car, engine, age and mileage? An audio or video recording would help...

I have noticed exactly the same. It has happened several times over the past year or 2, usually in cold weather, and normally disappears after warming up. The most recent time was in the very cold weather a few weeks ago, with the clicking taking a bit longer to go. I put this down to the effect the cold may have on some of the components in the master cylinder which I believe is attached to the main clutch pedal. I am assuming that they may heat up / expand at different rates especially if they are plastic against metal, and after some degree of wear this may be a result. Having said that with the milder weather the noise, and the clicking pedal that you can actually feel under foot has gone again. Will see if it comes back. It’s got it’s 90k mile service in a few weeks, so may mention it.

By the way, this noise was only on pressing the clutch, and then only the first inch or so of travel, Once engaged / disengaged it was fine.

I'm getting what sounds like the same thing on my 2014 1.4 TSI, which has around 68,000 miles on it now.

 

A loud-ish click on depressing the clutch, which can also be felt through the pedal.  Seems to particularly happen when cold/damp. It has no impact on clutch engagement/disengagement, and disappears after a few miles.

 

I has it once or twice in the 2019/2020 winter, then it disappeared.  It's happened probably twice again in the last couple of months.

 

I'll be interested if anyone finds out what it is!

Could it be a switch or solenoid connected to the stop/start system?

22 minutes ago, ords said:

Could it be a switch or solenoid connected to the stop/start system?

 

There is a clutch position sender - for both the stop/start as well as making sure you don't start it in gear.  I would imagine that it only "engages" at the bottom of the pedal travel (to ensure pedal is fully depressed), and my click happens much nearer the top of the travel.  It's a good idea though, and I'll see if I can have a look next time it plays up.  If the "Depress clutch to start" type message disappears just after the "click" then that would be some evidence that this sender is involved.

Edited 23 February, 20215 yr by iriches

27 minutes ago, iriches said:

 

There is a clutch position sender - for both the stop/start as well as making sure you don't start it in gear.  I would imagine that it only "engages" at the bottom of the pedal travel (to ensure pedal is fully depressed), and my click happens much nearer the top of the travel.  It's a good idea though, and I'll see if I can have a look next time it plays up.  If the "Depress clutch to start" type message disappears just after the "click" then that would be some evidence that this sender is involved.

It was just an idea. Mine is auto & I've never driven a manual with stop/start.

Following.....

 

Having changed a clutch master cylinder recently I reckon the white plastic clip which attaches the ball end of the cylinder pushrod may not be properly clipped into the pedal, its a pig of a job to do, and would give the sound and feel that you describe, it may even have popped out.

 

If its a pulsing proportional to engine speed then definitely clutch release bearing or maybe the Sachs pressure plate fingers letting go.

On 22/02/2021 at 21:02, varaderoguy said:

That could be as simple as the clutch return spring for the pedal stretching and clicking (lubrication reqd).

However, if you are getting the noise from a running engine at idle, then could be potentially either the clutch or thrust plate or even the dual mass flywheel springs playing up.

 

Whats the car, engine, age and mileage? An audio or video recording would help...

Hi, the car is a 2015 1.6 CR TDI with 186k. It seems to do it only on cold, damp mornings if the car has been left for longer than usual. Almost as if it's a spring that needs lubricated. Clutch operation is fine. The noise can be felt through the pedal and heard inside the car, it's not coming from the actual clutch.

Mine does this as well. (Octavia 2.0l TDi Estate with 70k.)

Only on very cold mornings, for the first few miles as it warms up. Its definitely something on the Clutch pedal, A bit unnerving, as it's a loud click and you can feel it on the pedal, but the actual clutch engagement and disengagement is fine. I've tried to look up from the footwell to see the top of the pedal, but its almost impossible to see anything... Due for MOT next month - I might ask my local garage about it...

Did it yesterday again after a very cold frosty night..

Picking up an old thread....

The symptoms described fit whats happening with my 36k '67 reg 1.4 TSi. Occasionally the clutch pedal will move down about an inch, give a metallic click with a slight detente on the travel then carry on and operate normally. This can happen from the start of a trip or develop during the trip, it will be noticeable for anything from 5-10 clutch operations to being present for an hour or so. Not noticed it being more present in cold weather.

 

I bought the car a year ago and noticed this on test drive, the dealer changed the clutch before pickup - that was thier choice, the car had evidence of heavy clutch use (hole in carpet under pedal, free mats fitted). The symptom has continued on and off through the last year. Its been back to the dealer several times, finally theyve changed the clutch/release bearing again (warranty) but it hasnt completely cured the problem though its much reduced. The clutch was changed because they believed the release bearing wasnt operating correctly, again thier choice. 

 

My concern now is whether the symptom as described is likely to be causing a degradation of clutch operation ? or anyone has any idea of the likely cause

On 24/02/2021 at 22:21, J.R. said:

Having changed a clutch master cylinder recently I reckon the white plastic clip which attaches the ball end of the cylinder pushrod may not be properly clipped into the pedal, its a pig of a job to do, and would give the sound and feel that you describe, it may even have popped out....

Presumably this is accessible from inside the car ? What check could be done

This is happening on my 16 plate 97k Octavia. Deffo only at top of clutch engagement and worse in morning and when cold. Doesn’t seem to affect actual clutch engine functionality anyone find a solution that improved or resolved it?

Just an update to this. I've changed Octavias since this issue began and it does it on the new car as well, again on cold or damp mornings. It goes away with repeated pumpings of the clutch pedal as it did on the older car. Since the older car is still on its original clutch after 230k miles I'll assume it's a harmless, although annoying, "feature" of the Octavia clutch on either petrol or diesel models.

 

As they say at the dealers "they all do that sir".