Question raised here so non - freedom members can comment - no reponse in ask a tech

I have noticed that I must have a slight clutch drag issue with my late 2001 Octavia RS, all of a sudden after a drive and no previous clutch problems what so ever, selecting reverse gear gives a gear crunch and is harder than normal to deselect after engagement, came as a bit of surprise. Normal driving is unaffected. The bitting point is still high and the car has done about 53K respectful driving miles, First gear may also be slightly stiffer to select.

I have bleed the clutch and the issue remains, is it possible of a slave or master cylinder fault? or is it more likely to be a clutch component failure? Is it worth changing the slave or master cylinder before resorting to a gearbox out job any one solved this issue by changing a master/slave cylinder on their Octavia?

How difficult is it to change the clutch in a normal home workshop? What are the approx cost of OE parts involved. Standard non modified.

Thanks

I should try changing the gearbox oil first its much cheaper than a clutch and can do no harm. These cars have a pretty cr*p change at the best of times. That said the clutches also seem to fail in non standard ways - slipping then not slipping etc.

i had same problem with my clutch changed it for the g60 clutch and flywheel just as well really as my duelmass flywheel was knackered and duelmass flywheels are expensive if it is your clutch i would say go the g60/vr6 route mates mauch cheaper plus you get a new flywheel as well in the conversion. took me and 2 mates 4 hours to do mine on the floor at work

i had same problem with my clutch changed it for the g60 clutch and flywheel just as well really as my duelmass flywheel was knackered and duelmass flywheels are expensive if it is your clutch i would say go the g60/vr6 route mates mauch cheaper plus you get a new flywheel as well in the conversion. took me and 2 mates 4 hours to do mine on the floor at work

Thanks for your response, so the Octavia Mk1 RS has a dual mass flyweel? - I was unsure about - I believed it was - butit was mentioned to me that only diesels use this. If I end up changing the clutch I will provbably go down the route of changing fywheel , pressure plate and friction plate due to the effort of getting the box off in the first place.

Thanks for the time estimate, thats good as I have a large garage and all the time I need as the car is not in daily use

I should try changing the gearbox oil first its much cheaper than a clutch and can do no harm. These cars have a pretty cr*p change at the best of times. That said the clutches also seem to fail in non standard ways - slipping then not slipping etc.

Thanks for your response appreciated, seen this mentioned on other VAG sites - however my gearchange has always been fine so I believe its another component failing - and although new oil may solve for a while I think it may be masking another problem.