Broken down in germany (1 Viewer)

[OldAgeTravellers]

Hi all,
In Northern Germany, Just coasting to traffic lights and the clutch pedal goes down to the floor. But I manage to get it out of gear. Absolute chaos behind me. When the traffic moved in front of me I luckily managed to coast down the slope in front of me and start it in gear to get myself off the Road. Unfortunately on to a cycle track so am getting yelled at by irate German cyclists!
I have AA breakdown with Nationwide and have called them. It’s a 90 minute wait they say.
It’s a 2012 Fiat Ducato 6 speed manual.
Can the mechanics out there tell me what might have gone?
It looks like a mechanical linkage the pedal and the push rod inside is moving but I can’t see what might have broken in the engine bay.
Just a few pointers so I don’t get stitched up by the inevitable garage.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Raul]

Inspect the pedal mechanism for plastic parts broken, and fail to push the rod.

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

Inspect the pedal mechanism for plastic parts broken, and fail to push the rod.

Thanks Raul. All seems ok inside and the push rod is moving. But without jacking it up and getting underneath I can’t see anything. Just wanted any pointers from somebody who has worked on one.

 

[Masman]

I had same on 2004 jtd fiat.Is was the slave cylinder. Have you tried pulling it back up.I managed to drive home from york to Sheffield by pushing clutch down and lifting it back up with my foot to change gears

 

[Mickthefis]

Have you tried pulling the pedal up with your hand ? The rachet can slip

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[Gellyneck]

Any fluid patches on the ground underneath?

If so, could be the master / slave cylinder failure.

 

[Gellyneck]

I had same on 2004 jtd fiat.Is was the slave cylinder. Have you tried pulling it back up.I managed to drive home from york to Sheffield by pushing clutch down and lifting it back up with my foot to change gears

Did that when the slave cylinder failed in our Santa Fe.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Another thread to peruse whilst waiting here - good luck

My Ducato Clutch nightmare

Bought a 2010 Ducato 2.3 multijet for conversion at 117,000 miles and ran with no problems to 124,000 miles. Then first problem - clutch pedal - flat to floor, no clutch, no fluid loss. RAC and garage diagnosis Clutch master cylinder failure! New master cylinder fitted, smooth pedal pressure on...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

Hi all thanks for the replies. The clutch pedal goes up and down by hand, the push rod is moving. Just looked underneath yes there is oil. On left hand side under engine as looking from front backwards. and a pool underneath.
This is a left hand drive by the way.
Does it share the brake fluid reservoirs or is there another somewhere?

 

[Carpmart]

Sounds like your brake master cylinder seal has failed.

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[TinaLes]

Why oh Why did some idiot think of putting the slave cylinder inside the gearbox bell housing when the seals fail it allows break fluid to run down and contaminate the clutch plates.
If was located outside the body of the bellhousing with a suitable linkage to move the clutch it would be fixed in no time, whereas with it inside they have to remove the whole gear box to get to it.
Was it maybe to make us fork out more money to have a new clutch kit, maybe flywheel fitted as a "sensible" move whilst the gearbox is out of the van?
Hope the OP gets its sorted quickly without being ripped off, something we all worry about on our travels.
LES

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

Why oh Why did some idiot think of putting the slave cylinder inside the gearbox bell housing
If was located outside the body of the bellhousing with a suitable linkage to move the clutch it would be fixed in no time, whereas with it inside they have to remove the whole gear box to get to it.
Was it maybe to make us fork out more money to have a new clutch kit, maybe flywheel fitted as a "sensible" move whilst the gearbox is out of the van?
Hope the OP gets its sorted quickly without being ripped off, something we all worry about on our travels.
LES

You do fill me with joy Les!

 

[Lenny HB]

Hi all thanks for the replies. The clutch pedal goes up and down by hand, the push rod is moving. Just looked underneath yes there is oil. On left hand side under engine as looking from front backwards. and a pool underneath.
This is a left hand drive by the way.
Does it share the brake fluid reservoirs or is there another somewhere?

That will be the master cylinder (slave cylinder in Bell housing on other side).
On LHD drive I think It's a combined reservoir for clutch & brakes.
Better warn Mr. Wallet if its the cylinder it will be expensive.

Wishing you good luck for a quick fix Steve.

 

[L' Hobo]

You do fill me with joy Les!

Sadly I have to tell you, that clutch system is not the easiest to bleed even after the new cylinder is fitted, this is one of the reasons it's not included on any of Fiat service sheets!

 

[Two on Tour]

Not all clutch slave cylinders are in the bell housing, ours is external on our 2013 6 speed Boxer.

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[Lenny HB]

Not all clutch slave cylinders are in the bell housing, ours is external on our 2013 6 speed Boxer.

View attachment 935973

I take it that is the Ford engine. Steve's is a Fiat, hopefully it's OK as it sounds like the Master cylinder.

 

[Gellyneck]

Why oh Why did some idiot think of putting the slave cylinder inside the gearbox bell housing when the seals fail it allows break fluid to run down and contaminate the clutch plates.
If was located outside the body of the bellhousing with a suitable linkage to move the clutch it would be fixed in no time, whereas with it inside they have to remove the whole gear box to get to it.
Was it maybe to make us fork out more money to have a new clutch kit, maybe flywheel fitted as a "sensible" move whilst the gearbox is out of the van?
Hope the OP gets its sorted quickly without being ripped off, something we all worry about on our travels.
LES

That's what we did with our Santa Fe, master cylinder inside bell housing and dual mass flywheel replaced.
Well into 4 figures!

 

[dunnah01]

Master cylinder will be a fairly simple change. Slave cylinder is a gearbox out job which will be much cheaper if done by a gearbox centre rather than a FIat garage.

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

As there is oil running out of bell housing I suspect it is an internal one. Although I have just watched a video about it and his looked different. I live in hope but suspect the worst. I can feel Mr Wallet shuddering with fear already.
Will it be cheaper in Germany, can they fit me in, will the AA transport us home? They said 90 minutes it’s now two hours.
Our Breakdown is with NATIONWIDE FLEX.
At least it is comfortable while we are waiting.
I will let you know what happens.

 

[Raul]

Definetly get it done in Deuchland. What's your nearest big town?

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[Brains]

Get it fixed in Germany!

 

[Barriesimpson]

Definetly get it done in Deuchland. What's your nearest big town?

Yes, I agree, the Germans are good at that stuff normally.

 

[Juandeatatime]

That's what we did with our Santa Fe, master cylinder inside bell housing and dual mass flywheel replaced.
Well into 4 figures!

Ditto with our Santa Fe

 

[Gellyneck]

Ditto with our Santa Fe

Believe it's a common occurrence!

 

[Lenny HB]

As there is oil running out of bell housing I suspect it is an internal one.

Opposite side to what you said eairler so it's probably the slave cylinder so worth changing clutch while the bell housing is off & DMF if you have one.

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[1967bowesj]

Opposite side to what you said eairler so it's probably the slave cylinder so worth changing clutch while the bell housing is off & DMF if you have one.

Go on Lenny, I can imagine Oldagetravellers wallet hiding under the duvet lol

 

[Puddleduck]

Very sympathetic to your plight.

Hope the breakdown service has arrived and you get a speedy repair.

 

[1967bowesj]

Hi all,
In Northern Germany, Just coasting to traffic lights and the clutch pedal goes down to the floor. But I manage to get it out of gear. Absolute chaos behind me. When the traffic moved in front of me I luckily managed to coast down the slope in front of me and start it in gear to get myself off the Road. Unfortunately on to a cycle track so am getting yelled at by irate German cyclists!
I have AA breakdown with Nationwide and have called them. It’s a 90 minute wait they say.
It’s a 2012 Fiat Ducato 6 speed manual.
Can the mechanics out there tell me what might have gone?
It looks like a mechanical linkage the pedal and the push rod inside is moving but I can’t see what might have broken in the engine bay.
Just a few pointers so I don’t get stitched up by the inevitable garage.
Thanks,
Steve

Steve, can I ask what year van is and miles?

 

[Lenny HB]

He has just had a call saying they will be another 2 hours.

 

[Two on Tour]

Steve, can I ask what year van is and miles?

To one of your questions, Steve said in his opening message of the thread that "It’s a 2012 Fiat Ducato 6 speed manual."