Clutch bite point has changed

Hello everybody,

I hadn't driven my X1/9 for a couple of weeks and so got into it to take it for a run. Started absolutely fine but I couldn't put it into gear, since despite me pressing the clutch pedal down, the clutch was still 'on'. I have heard of clutch sticking issues with some X1/9's that haven't been used but it had only been sitting there a couple of weeks?
Anyway, after a couple of minutes of pressing the clutch pedal and a bit of faffing, it freed itself off and would go into gear no probs. I took it for a drive straight away and it drove great apart from one very obvious difference - the clutch biting point is now really high up where as before, it was I would say, pretty normal. There's no clutch slip at all and no juddering etc, just a really high biting point.
Any ideas on why its all of a sudden decided to do this??

As far as I know you can adjust the biting point at the gearbox end can't you?

Thanks very much.
Chris.

Air in the system or slave cylinder pipe has failed,

I take it the reservoir is full?

Yes I checked the reservoir and it seems fine.

When I hear about stories of the clutch 'sticking on' what is it that actually sticks? Is it the clutch mechanism that is on top of the gearbox that is usually at fault?

Thanks.

Its usually the master cylinder that gives that effect as the slave cylinder is usually obv when it fails due to fluid leak, it sounds like you got air in the master cylinder and pumping the pedal was just pumping air instead of fluid.
Bleed the system from the slave cylinder and see how it is, but it could be signs of the master cylinder on its last legs, see if you can see signs of fluid loss at the slave and master end.

Ok great, thanks for your help, I'll have a look tomorrow.
I didn't notice any fluid, but then again I wasn't really looking for it.

It's a 1987 1500, I've had it since May and I have to say they're cracking little cars to drive!
You do get plenty of "what on earth is that?" looks from people!

Thanks very much
Chris.

No problem Chris let me know how you get on.

Mark

if you pump the pedal up and down several times does it improve. like Mark says sounds like weeping seals and air in the system..

Hmmm, just started my X1/9 to move it out of the garage so I could have a good look at the clutch cylinders to see if they were leaking as Mark and Terry had suspected and it appears that the clutch has now reverted to biting in exactly the same place as it always has and not biting high any more! Feels absolutely fine!

I know it's Italian, but is it just me or is that a bit weird? :huh:

Chris.

I have had this similar problem many years ago on a spares car i was stripping, it was one of the seals on the piston inside the master cylinder, i think it dried out due to lack of use and then resealed itself after the seal became moist and flexible again, it did fail shortly after so I would be looking to replace in the future at your convenience rather than waiting for it to fail when your at the farthest point from home with no tools and its dark and raining as sods law dictates.

I would still check for leaks.

Just reviving this as my slave cylinder started to fail coming back from Stanford Hall. Any advice on changing please!

reduce your height and become rubber like in your joints...........

The slaves on the gearbox so doesn't look too bad to get at (by Exxy standards!) I know the Master is a pig under the dash...........

the slaves a doddle, i would replce the rubber hose at the same time, also undo the hose using two spanners (dont rely on the hose retaining clip as it will snap)
when you replace make sure the moving bar is not fully exteneded.

easy bleed will also help finish the job.

Just what I needed to know Mark - cheers!

Guys - Its seems the real reason I lost all clutch pressure was I seem to have left my clutch spring - atop of the slave - somewhere along the A428!!! Its gone! Anyone know where I can get one? Eurosport sell one but its marked for the 1500? Will still replace the slave..... Is it better the do this with the car jacked up and from within the rear boot access panel?