Broken down in germany

OldAgeTravellers

OldAgeTravellers

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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
 
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Inspect the pedal mechanism for plastic parts broken, and fail to push the rod.
 
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Raul said:
Inspect the pedal mechanism for plastic parts broken, and fail to push the rod.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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Have you tried pulling the pedal up with your hand ? The rachet can slip

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Masman said:
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
Click to expand...
Did that when the slave cylinder failed in our Santa Fe.
 
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Another thread to peruse whilst waiting here - good luck
www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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 www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
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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?
 
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Sounds like your brake master cylinder seal has failed. 😞

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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.:swear:
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?:unsure:
Hope the OP gets its sorted quickly without being ripped off, something we all worry about on our travels.
LES
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
TinaLes said:
Why oh Why did some idiot think of putting the slave cylinder inside the gearbox bell housing:swear:
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?:unsure:
Hope the OP gets its sorted quickly without being ripped off, something we all worry about on our travels.
LES
Click to expand...
You do fill me with joy Les! 😳
 
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OldAgeTravellers said:
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?
Click to expand...
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.
 
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Not all clutch slave cylinders are in the bell housing, ours is external on our 2013 6 speed Boxer. (y)

1723741008773.png

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Upvote 0
TinaLes said:
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.:swear:
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?:unsure:
Hope the OP gets its sorted quickly without being ripped off, something we all worry about on our travels.
LES
Click to expand...
That's what we did with our Santa Fe, master cylinder inside bell housing and dual mass flywheel replaced.
Well into 4 figures!:crying:
 
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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.
 
Upvote 1
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.
 
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OldAgeTravellers said:
As there is oil running out of bell housing I suspect it is an internal one.
Click to expand...
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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Very sympathetic to your plight.

Hope the breakdown service has arrived and you get a speedy repair.
 
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OldAgeTravellers said:
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
Click to expand...
Steve, can I ask what year van is and miles?
 
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