C5 HDI clutch problem ?

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 05 Mar 2011, 13:54

Friend has a 59 plate C5 HDI. The problem is a leaking clutch cylinder which leaks fluid onto the clutch obviously causing slip.
He's been quoted £1200 to repair this !! I seem to remember there is something peculiar about the clutch hydraulic system on the C5, can anyone elucidate please ?
We can do the repair between us if we know the issues.

Post by **myglaren** » 05 Mar 2011, 14:01

That seems excessive to say the least.
The slave cylinder on the C5 has a bleed nipple on it so replacing it should be fairly simple and it most probably only needs a new seal, rather than a full replacement slave cylinder.
I am presuming that the price includes a full clutch replacement too.
I had a new DMF and full clutch replacement, along with a few other minor bits and pieces, for less than half that.

I would at least be soliciting a few more quotes before commissioning that one.

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 05 Mar 2011, 14:16

Ah, so the C5 doesn't have a sealed clutch hydraulic circuit like the Xantia 2 then ?

Post by **myglaren** » 05 Mar 2011, 14:24

Mine certainly has a bleed nipple on it and I don't think it has ever been modified.
It may even be possible to repair/replace the slave cylinder without changing the clutch. A good blast of brake cleaner over a few occasions might take care of the fluid contamination of the friction plate too.

hdi_man · Post by **hdi_man** » 05 Mar 2011, 18:48

59 plate should still be covered under warranty ? my 58 plate is getting a new clutch fitted under warranty @ only 30k miles, it too has been slipping.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 05 Mar 2011, 20:58

Yes, don't even think about touching it yourself. Get it into the dealer for warranty work. The clutch cylinder wont be classed as wear and tear items on such a new car.

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 05 Mar 2011, 21:54

Do C5's have an issue with clutches then ?

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 05 Mar 2011, 21:59

Well the Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) is known to fail at almost any mileage. 30K to beyond 100K is the normal, so why the massive difference in mileage?

Otherwise they should last a good while, i dont think cylinders are a particularly common failure.

hdi_man · Post by **hdi_man** » 07 Mar 2011, 15:26

guys just been told Citroen will only pay for parts and I have to foot £500 bill for labour - clutch going at 30k miles seems unfit for purpose to me !! lawyers letter on the way !!!!!!!!!!

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 07 Mar 2011, 15:32

Too right 30k miles is way to short for a clutch life span, I'd be disappointed if it needed chaining at 80k miles!

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 07 Mar 2011, 20:23

A clutch should last 100K easily and many more than that too. Needs to be treat right but if the clutch problem is not due to wear then it should be a warranty repair.

hdi_man · Post by **hdi_man** » 07 Mar 2011, 21:05

I found an interesting thread where loads of peugeot and Citroën owners experiencing clutch slip also, as it is intermittent it is caused by Oil leaking into the clutch plates and this IS covered under warranty.

however, dealers would not know this without first taking the thing apart...faulty seal apparently

cachaciero · Post by **cachaciero** » 08 Mar 2011, 08:59

PSA seem to have major problems with clutch /DMF. I have been researching some alternatives to my C5 one of which was the Pug407. Clutch / DMF failures at low mileages appear to be of almost epidemic proportions, often it seemed repeated at similar low mileages after having been changed / replaced under warranty by main agents. I see no reason not to expect the C5 III to suffer the same.

cachaciero

old'uns · Post by **old'uns** » 08 Mar 2011, 10:16

does the Fffff...mmmmmdo still use the same engines as Cit/Pug, if so do they use same gearbox or clutch system?
work colleague of mine recently bought a 140 est. with 4k on it, 4 months later at 30k clutch started slipping.
in to dealers under warranty, Henry's tech dept told dealer to strip out, clean up & re-fit, guess what? didn't work.
they were then told to replace parts, all fixed.
however when asked what the problem was 'errrmmmm.... well... it's fixed now', all very vague

common problem with Ffff... as well?

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 08 Mar 2011, 20:17

It will be the same gearbox and clutch on the 140 Mondeo, its the same unit.