Hi

A quick question about my old Fabia (02 reg 1.4) to any that would be kind enough to answer it...

(It's now SWMBO obeyed's car although the only thing that sets my VRS apart is the shade of yellow and extra spec of my VRS).

Its noticeable that the hydraulic clutch is noticeably higher to bite than my new VRS...the 1.4 is 50k miles and has been treated "pretty" well.

Clearly its not possible to adjust the bite....should she just drive it steady ? Can I improve on it? Checking fluids / master/slave etc ?

My research indicates its probably free from any adjustment possibility....

Thanks

Ant

does the clutch slip at all??

Nah, not at all. Is that the only thing one should be concerned about?

It just seems that being higher up there is a tendency to "over-rev" until you get used to it....it also gives some concern of wear and tear on it, or need for adjustment (which I learned though it impossible with this type of clutch).

when the clutch engages does it go with a bump or it smooth?

Thanks fer replying. Yeah I'd say it was relatively smooth to be honest, just a little on the "high" side on the bite....still got the smoothness tho

(Hasn't got to that sharp pulloff yet....mind you shouldnt be too bad as prolly last 10k+ I have been doing on m/way / dual carriageway at 70mph - if not for most of its 50k.

Its not been a "run around town car" really....until I give it the missus of course! :>

i think that there is probably nothing wrong with it and it is just a characteristic of this engine

Thanks for that! That satisified my inquisitiveness !

The clutch in my wife's 51-plate 1.4 8v Fabia bites MUCH higher than on my 54-plate vRS Fabia. I checked to make sure it didn't slip when we bought it, and apart from nearly grinding to a halt in the process (20mph in 5th when you only have 60-odd bhp to play with isn't something I'll be trying too often!)

Nonetheless, the bite point is quite high on the 1.4 8v, but if your wife's car is anything like my wife's then it's nothing to do with it being worn...

HTH

Help a lot! And indeed, Im the same position as you (used to be my car, but now I'm VRS'd )

Cheers )

Hi

I think I'm in a similar position to you in regards to the high biting point on a 1.4 8v but how far do you think your pedal travels between the biting point and the top (the clutch is completly engaged and you have taken your foot off the pedal)?

It seems to be closer to the top than the bottom to be honest. I will need to give it a go before I can be sure.

I was concerned that it felt more than 50% of the way on the clutch pedal before "taking" - I reckon its probably a couple of inches or so below the normal open (clutch disengaged) position.

It feels more like approx 3-4 inches or more on it was from the clutch fully engaged which seems a lot compared to the VRS...

Perhaps I should find a reason to go for a drive so I can check for sure ) oi is probably talking crap because to talk measurements you need someone else down at the footwell operating the clutch while you measure !!

I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean? If I undertsand you right, the clutch has to be brought up a couple inches more to bite than normal, but from that point you've still got 3-4 inches (or more) till it completely engages (pedal completly released)?

Btw has anyone got any tips on detecting a failing clutch. I know about tryting it in 4th from standstill but is there anything else to look out for (things like losing speed on hills is a bit difficult to tell in 1.4 8v because most of the time it could well be the fact the car has hardly any power, even in the lower gears!)

I know, I havent exactly explained it well. I will have another go when I drive the car again, and have a better feel for exactly "where" the bite is.

(its my partners car now, so I am more used to my own....)

Its nothing to worry about dudes , mine is the exact same , and IMO you should be more worried if your clutch is biting down at the floor , for that is the symptom of a worn clutch!

Sorry, I forgot to say thanks for the reassurance. Yes its mere paranoia at work.

The car drives pretty reasonable almost as new one would say, I just keep forgetting I have a brand new car and its a very different beast that this one at 50k!