Clutch/ France

[Drover]

Many thanks fir the replys and suggestions.
We are stuck in a Aire...I have tried again today to get a gear with no luck so we have to wait for Safeguard to sort it..
The breakdown down guy tried everyone in the area. They are just around the corner on same road

 

[alcam]

Oh bad luck. Its every motorhomers worse nightmare especially outside the UK. Not sure I agree with Canalsman though. Whenever I have had work done in France its been more expensive that the UK. Good luck getting sorted.

Just one thing to bear in mind. Once when we had trouble they couldn't get the van looked at for four days but the breakdown people paid all our site fees where we ended up in the van while we waited for recovery. Check what you are covered for if there is going to be a wait.

Only repair I have had done in France was a puncture . Few years ago now but 7euros seemed quite cheap !
Think in this case I would rather get repair done where I am . Even if repair was more expensive it surely would be cheaper/easier overall ?

 

[Drover]

So now the French dont work on sat/sun so we are stuck here until monday.
Though they did say we can have a hotel when ever we want.

 

[gypo]

They don’t tend to open the garages on a Monday either from our experience

 

[Drover]

They don’t tend to open the garages on a Monday either from our experience

Now stop it.......
But we are stuck here

 

[Jo001]

Now stop it.......
But we are stuck here
View attachment 151462

That looks nice. If you are going to be stuck, it may as well be there. Where is it?

 

[gypo]

remember what I said cash is king, if it’s possible for you to offer to pay cash you will get it done quicker

 

[Drover]

That looks nice. If you are going to be stuck, it may as well be there. Where is it?

Sassenage just outside Grenoble.

Are you bringing a clutch assembly

 

[Drover]

I wo

remember what I said cash is king, if it’s possible for you to offer to pay cash you will get it done quicker

I wont forget..
Have you been watching ' Australia "
Great film by the way.
Sally loves hugh jackman. Bloody hates me.....getting better now on her 2nd bottle of wine

 

[Jo001]

Sassenage just outside Grenoble.

Are you bringing a clutch assembly

I'll be there shortly

 

[SimonM]

Judging only by the year, I assume it’s a 2.3 X250. Just for interest, my mechanic mate changed my clutch for me without access to a ramp. He lay under the MH and wiggled the gearbox out by hand. Awkward, but not impossible.

 

[Drover]

Judging only by the year, I assume it’s a 2.3 X250. Just for interest, my mechanic mate changed my clutch for me without access to a ramp. He lay under the MH and wiggled the gearbox out by hand. Awkward, but not impossible.

Thats exactly what it is, I've been under it today, my fat gut just fitted under. No leaks...guess the fluid is passing the seal giving none or very little pressure...it's a dual master cylinder so it can't be that ....can it !!!!!
Still won't go into gear.not even a crunch..
3km to a shop... 500mtr to a garage with no availability to fix it.
Wait 2 more days to find the outcome.
Walk on with a dog ...nearest is hook d Holland to Harwich. It's nearest I can find unless anyone knows different.. I'm looking as no faith a repair in france.
Dog ok on train in france and uk just a big puddle to cross.

 

[gypo]

If you’ve not lost any fluid, is it worth trying to bleed it to see if you can get more peddle?
When ares went last year we had a puddle of fluid under the van (same van) and no peddle at all.
If it is the cylinder in the box that’s gone which after going through your pain I found out then you should see fluid leaking somewhere. There is a cylinder on the clutch pedal, if you stick your head up under the dash and follow the clutch pedal up you’ll see it. They can stick, give the rod a squirt of wd40 if you have any. Worth a try

 

[Jo001]

Walk on with a dog ...nearest is hook d Holland to Harwich. It's nearest I can find unless anyone knows different.

Can you hire a car in or near Calais and drop it somewhere near Dover? Or get a pet transport company to take your dog while you go as foot passengers?

 

[zzr1400tim]

same thing happened to me when we first bought our Fiat Ducato (2004 model) (fortunately in the UK)
clutch pedal right down on the floor. The funny thing is I "pumped" it up and down a few times and it came "back to life" and has been fine ever since

 

[trevskoda]

Judging only by the year, I assume it’s a 2.3 X250. Just for interest, my mechanic mate changed my clutch for me without access to a ramp. He lay under the MH and wiggled the gearbox out by hand. Awkward, but not impossible.

The drive shafts must come out and lower arms require dropping of bottom ball joints before g box can be pulled of engine.

 

[trevskoda]

Thats exactly what it is, I've been under it today, my fat gut just fitted under. No leaks...guess the fluid is passing the seal giving none or very little pressure...it's a dual master cylinder so it can't be that ....can it !!!!!
Still won't go into gear.not even a crunch..
3km to a shop... 500mtr to a garage with no availability to fix it.
Wait 2 more days to find the outcome.
Walk on with a dog ...nearest is hook d Holland to Harwich. It's nearest I can find unless anyone knows different.. I'm looking as no faith a repair in france.
Dog ok on train in france and uk just a big puddle to cross.

If slave cyl there must be a leak, sounds either m cyl seal or the diaphram clutch fingers are gone and maybe thrust bearing pushed through.
This does not happen untill well round the clock and a bit unless driving with foot on pedal or holding at lights with pedal down.
How many miles are on the van, was it new or owners before you.

 

[Drover]

If slave cyl there must be a leak, sounds either m cyl seal or the diaphram clutch fingers are gone and maybe thrust bearing pushed through.
This does not happen untill well round the clock and a bit unless driving with foot on pedal or holding at lights with pedal down.
How many miles are on the van, was it new or owners before you.

It's on 50k mostly done by myself..I know how to drive and owned a small haulage company in years past.Also mechanical engineer.
My initial thought was master cylinder but reviews on fiat forum say it will end up being the slave cylinder due to where it is and the heat.
Now I have phoned safeguard they won't come back to the same problem within 28 days so I just can't move or I could be waiting a while if changing the master cylinder myself doesn't cure it.

 

[Drover]

Can you hire a car in or near Calais and drop it somewhere near Dover? Or get a pet transport company to take your dog while you go as foot passengers?

One way car hire was expensive as it would be going to a 3rd class country.
Ie- the uk
Not had price from pet transport but they also do the shuttle train..
Going to wait to see if they will fix it first

 

[YeoBlade]

One way car hire was expensive as it would be going to a 3rd class country.
Ie- the uk
Not had price from pet transport but they also do the shuttle train..
Going to wait to see if they will fix it first

Dfds Dieppe Newhaven are the only ferry that allows dogs without a car.
UK 3rd class country