I own 1996 Felicia combi (bought it about one and a half years ago, and it has currently 150k (kilometers) on the clock). The (original, never changed) clutch does it's usual squealing noise, while releasing and slipping at certain point. While wading through postings here, I found out, that it should not be a serious problem. However, some time ago I noticed that the clutch rattles when not engaged and the the gear is neutral. The noise ceases when the clutch is pressed.

Otherwise the clutch seems to be working fine.

I checked height of the clutch pedal and it seems to be level with the brake pedal as it should be. I'm going to try to tighten the cable slightly, and see whether that makes any difference.

My question is; how long should the clutch assembly last? Should I start considering to replace the clutch assembly with a new one? What is making the noise? Shouldn't the clutch be (practicly) silent, if working correctly?

I'm living in northern Finland, and I would not want to be left on roadside middle of nowhere, especially during the wintertime...

i think it's more likely to be the gear linkage rattling to be honest

The noise you're hearing is likely to be the gearbox mainshaft bearings. Pressing the clutch "disconnects" the gearbox from the engine and therefore stops the noise. The first thing I would do is check the gearbox oil level, or maybe even drain it out and refill with fresh oil. To check or refill the gearbox oil the speedo drive needs removing, for which you'll need an unusual size spanner/socket:9mm.

The noise could also be the thrust bearing in the clutch, as mines did the exact same thing, and getting this replaced solved the squealing.

Ross

my 99 has done that since it was new... squeEEEEEEEkkk squeeek!! grrrrr. no fault found and is very regular noise on the felicias, as is ticky effing speedo cable

Update:

Problem "solved". Rattling noise was the first symptom from the bearings of the mainshaft in the gearbox. It got worse to a point, when I could clearly hear that a broken ballbearing was squeling while the clutch was disengaged . Then I took the car to the workshop and had all the bearings changed in the gearbox. It cost me quite a bit, but had it done anyway and now the gearbox is silent (and works like a charm).

It's strange, because my Felicia has 150000 km in the clock, and in my opinion such a problem should not happen. Does anyone else have similiar experiences with Felicias gearbox? The owner of the workshop speculated that the box might have been running without oil some time, although the oil level in the box was ok. I'm not the first owner of the car so I can't really say anything about that.

Anyway, failing bearing in the gearbox after 150000 km is rather strange in my opinion.

no it is not strange mine failed also at 200.000km

So, could it be said that it is norm for Felicia (or something to be expected), that the bearings in the box will give up after 150000 - 200000 km ??

:confused:

If it is, then it sounds like (brand) flaw typical for Felicias. Most of the cars I have known, the gearbox is about the last thing to fail (still working without any repair when the car is taken to the scrapyard after 200000 - 300000 km or more...).

Of course handling and use of the car, regular maintainance, oil changes etc. are factors here

I also have a noise clutch problem, mostly when I start the car. It rattles like a diesel then I depress the clutch and all is well. Just hit 30k miles so sounds like the same thing.

What it the repair cost on this at a garage?

Yes, your description sounds familiar, unfortunately :(

I paid 1060 euros for changing all the ballbearings in the gearbox. But it was the cost in Finland, and it could be different at your location. Spare bearings cost about 200 euros (local Skoda dealer didn't have them, they had to be ordered directly from the Skoda manufacterer) and the rest was for hourly fee in the workshop.