Why does pedal go to floor, but can be pulled back up?

Doesn't sound healthy.

 

Does the car still drive?

I could only engage third and slip the clutch until a fellow motorist told me to pull the pedal up. Then drove for over 100 stop start miles when it failed this morning. Solved by pulling pedal up. A friend has had the same on a Passat.

Assuming brake/clutch fluid level is correct, failing slave or master cylinder.

Edited 24 June, 20241 yr by Warrior193

50 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Assuming brake/clutch fluid level is correct, failing slave or master cylinder.

Less than 40,000 miles!

I'm afraid so - It is a well known issue, try a search on the forum for sticking clutch pedal. 

Anyone know what is so different about this "size" of SUV and its hatch etc cousins across the VW Group marques that makes this issue something that "will" happen eventually to most owners - at least for people that run the "mid engine powered" versions?

12 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

Assuming brake/clutch fluid level is correct, failing slave or master cylinder.

Less than 40,000 miles!

Interesting query. Friend with Passat had it a few years ago, and another with T5 van last year. Neither told what it was. Is it a warranty eligible fault? Not listed on Skoda recalls.

1 hour ago, Elegant70 said:

Less than 40,000 miles!

And your point is? Wear of hydraulic cylinders is a measure of number of operations and whether or not drivers ride the clutch, rather than of mileage.

Had 15 cars since 1961. Mostly local stop start driving for 18 miles a day, occasional long distance. Only clutch problem was oil on plate from leaking primary gear oil seal on BMC 1100. Had car for 9000 miles so don't know previous history. But pedal rubbers still look untouched.

I have 19 plate karoq 150bhp 4x4 tdi with 107000miles from new and on the original clutch can I expect it to last much more

Research shows that the pedal to the floor is not uncommon, but the dealership are not forthcoming. It appears that the problem is in the master cylinder, but the dealer wants me to underwrite them taking the gearbox off, as the slave cylinder is directly linked to the release bearing, (CSC)  but, the car is not losing fluid. They have quoted £932, saying it will not be under warranty unless it is faulty. Friendly mechanics tell me the rubber valve in the master cylinder flips over. Pulling the pedal back relocates it. I have a piece of rope connected to the pedal for me to pull it. The dealers couldn't find the fault, but I drove home, through heavy traffic. Parked, went back to it and the pedal has dropped to the floor. It affects all VW derivatives.

1 hour ago, Elegant70 said:

Research shows that the pedal to the floor is not uncommon, but the dealership are not forthcoming. It appears that the problem is in the master cylinder, but the dealer wants me to underwrite them taking the gearbox off, as the slave cylinder is directly linked to the release bearing, (CSC)  but, the car is not losing fluid. They have quoted £932, saying it will not be under warranty unless it is faulty. Friendly mechanics tell me the rubber valve in the master cylinder flips over. Pulling the pedal back relocates it. I have a piece of rope connected to the pedal for me to pull it. The dealers couldn't find the fault, but I drove home, through heavy traffic. Parked, went back to it and the pedal has dropped to the floor. It affects all VW derivatives.

As the fault can be caused by either a failing slave or master cylinder, suggest that your dealer workshop replaces the master cylinder first - that is a simple job not requiring removal of the gearbox. 

Thanks. I suggested that, making the point that they had fully trained and experienced technicians, but the excuses came forth. The same dealership told my wife that her 4000 mile, new from them, Fabia, needed new discs and pads. 9 years later, the same advisory has not been mentioned again. I can go on!

6 hours ago, SteveMarino said:

I have 19 plate karoq 150bhp 4x4 tdi with 107000miles from new and on the original clutch can I expect it to last much more

How long is a piece of string?

4 hours ago, Elegant70 said:

Thanks. I suggested that, making the point that they had fully trained and experienced technicians, but the excuses came forth. The same dealership told my wife that her 4000 mile, new from them, Fabia, needed new discs and pads. 9 years later, the same advisory has not been mentioned again. I can go on!

In that case, I suggest you look for a good independent garage. 

Edited 6 July, 20241 yr by Warrior193
typo

I have an extended warranty so don't want to cause problems with it. My adblu controller failed ( fitted under rear wheel arch). AA/ VW service replaced under warranty. £300 to buy, retail, £150 trade, £45 eBay. How many drivers know adblue freezes at  11°C!

On 06/07/2024 at 17:24, Elegant70 said:

I have an extended warranty so don't want to cause problems with it. My adblu controller failed ( fitted under rear wheel arch). AA/ VW service replaced under warranty. £300 to buy, retail, £150 trade, £45 eBay. How many drivers know adblue freezes at  11°C!

 

If it did all diesel owners would be in trouble. It actually freezes at minus 11 degrees, a temperature which we are unlikely to see frequently in most of the UK.

 

#https://filowholesaleltd.com/blogs/news/can-adblue-freeze

On 06/07/2024 at 10:07, Elegant70 said:

Friendly mechanics tell me the rubber valve in the master cylinder flips over. Pulling the pedal back relocates it

 

Your friendly mechanic is bulls**tting you, I guarantee you he will never have even seen the inside of the sealed plastic VAG master cylinder as you need to make a special tool to dismantle it or angle grind it apart, inside there is one single static O ring fixed in the outer body that the plastic piston is pushed through, no other parts, its simply a bicycle pump with a fixed seal, O rings cannot "flip over" and if you managed to do so they would work just as well.

 

The problem is air being drawn into the joint between the two parts of the plastic concentric slave cylinder without creating any fluid loss, this gives the dealers the ideal get out to say that it is not covered under warranty.

Each time you pull the pedal back you draw more air into the system meaning less time before it happens again, I realise you dont have any choice but the system should be bled ASAP, the only resolution is gearbox out and replace slave cylinder, then sell the car because the new one wont be any better unless you find the holy grail like I did of a new old stock original pattern one piece aluminium slave cylinder.

On 06/07/2024 at 18:24, Elegant70 said:

I have an extended warranty so don't want to cause problems with it. My adblu controller failed ( fitted under rear wheel arch). AA/ VW service replaced under warranty. £300 to buy, retail, £150 trade, £45 eBay. How many drivers know adblue freezes at  11°C!

 

Only with the wind chill factor if you stick your willy out the window at high speed!

On 06/07/2024 at 10:07, Elegant70 said:

Research shows that the pedal to the floor is not uncommon, but the dealership are not forthcoming. It appears that the problem is in the master cylinder, but the dealer wants me to underwrite them taking the gearbox off, as the slave cylinder is directly linked to the release bearing, (CSC)

 

It is not, its the slave cylinder, they suggest replacing the master cylinder because it sounds like a more palatable option for the owner and they get paid for 2 jobs and not one, it will also get them out of their hair for while because the system will have been bled.

 

I'm not saying dont replace the master cylinder first (I did and the old one was full of magnetic schmoo), just dont think you have dodged the bullet.

Thank you JR for your valued input. Would this defect be the cause of worn synchro on 1st. 2nd and 3rd., which the dealer claims is normal. To quote, "others in the car park are the same".