Clutch cannot disengage

My wifes car is a 2003 C3 1.4HDI manual gear.

Today, she suddenly couldnt disengage the clutch. No wierd noises or similar in the time leading up to this.

I can shift into any gear without problems while the engine is stopped, but when its started, I cannot. (Trying reverse makes grinding noise, just as if the clutch isnt disengaged)
The brake fluid level was quite low (couldnt see any fluid). I topped it up and bleeded the clutch cylinder, but it has not helped. (It seems the clutch travels fine/far enough when the pedal is pressed)

Does anyone have any idea as to what could be wrong?

Hello frolich

frolich wrote:Today, she suddenly couldnt disengage the clutch. No wierd noises or similar in the time leading up to this.

I would say it's the clutch slave cylinder, or master cylinder failure. This is the slave cylinder on ECP. If its not a hydraulic fault, you have a failed clutch.

Hello Arfur, and thanks for the VERY quick reply...

Can I somehow measure if the slave cylinder travels as far as it should? If there is some air left in the system, perhaps that´s the problem(?) (I bleeded the slave cylinder).
What do You mean by "failed clutch"? The pressure plate, or?
How would You proceed? Just replace the slave cylinder first?

Sorry about all the questions... I have changed only one clutch in all my life, and it was a big job for me .
Furthermore, English is not my first language (I´m Danish), so I´m also a bit challenged there

frolich wrote:Can I somehow measure if the slave cylinder travels as far as it should? If there is some air left in the system, perhaps that´s the problem(?) (I bleeded the slave cylinder).

Perhaps, but if you bleed the system correctly, there shouldn't be any air in there.

frolich wrote:How would You proceed? Just replace the slave cylinder first?

Look to see if the clutch actuator moves when someone presses the pedal. You will need 2 people and putting it up on a ramp may help.

frolich wrote:What do You mean by "failed clutch"? The pressure plate, or?

Yes, or release bearing, those sorts of things.

frolich wrote:Sorry about all the questions... I have changed only one clutch in all my life, and it was a big job for me

I wouldn't recommend doing a clutch yourself if you don't know the car very well. Its a lot of work and best left to someone who has done it before.

After investigating further, I suspect something in the clutch has failed miserably.... the slave cylinder bleeded and seems to work fine, but loud noises from the clutch when engine started in gear and clutch pressed.

So against Arfur Dents advice I am trying to change the clutch myself (for economical reasons). I have removed battery (and casing), some air intake pipes, some wires, gear link and so on, but I have some problems finding all the bellhousing bolts. One of them seems to be very difficult to get at (behind downward exhaust pipe mounting bolt).

I have tried to find a picture of where to find the bolts, or a guide on how to remove the gearbox, but without any success.

Can anyone help me?

I would invest in the Haynes Repair Manual. Loads of photos and a step by step guide.

There is some help in the tips section (here) for a C3 diesel clutch change.

Missing Lincs wrote:I would invest in the Haynes Repair Manual. Loads of photos and a step by step guide.

Yes, the Haynes allows you to read through the job before taking it on, or deciding not to

Arfur Dent wrote: ↑Sat Oct 21, 2017 7:54 pm Look to see if the clutch actuator moves when someone presses the pedal.

Clutch cylinder movement and a click from a failed release bearing sleeve