LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

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iambacktolife
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LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by iambacktolife »

I have bought a 2007 Honda FRV 2.0 Diesel. I don't intend to go into likes and dislikes about the car, but overall I like it and intend to keep it for a while.

The gears are able to shift quite easily while in motion. There is a problem with the clutch pedal. If it is depressed for up to 10 seconds or more while waiting at the stop lights, it falls. At this point shifting the gear is very difficult or not possible depending on how low it has fallen. However, if you lift it up using your foot, it shifts quite smoothly again.

I was told to bleed the clutch as it may have air traps. I have done this, but the problem still exists. I have greased the pedal up to the point where it slips into the master cylinder. I have made sure the mat is not in the way.

What could be the problem? What should be the next thing to do?

Thanks in advance
dewaltdisney
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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by dewaltdisney »

It sounds like it is the hydraulic fluid creeping past the valve on the clutch cylinder. When the clutch is depressed for any length of time the fluid creeps past and prevents the clutch pedal rising and the clutch engaging. Over a period the spring pressure pulls the pedal up and the fluid creeps back and it will work again.

That is my theory but I do not know for sure :thumbright:

DWD
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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by iambacktolife »

Thanks ..
This is a good response and possible diagnosis. Are you suggesting a leakage somewhere? Or an internal leakage? I haven't seen any
What do you propose I do or change? The Cylinder? Or the weak spring?
Thanks again
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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by dewaltdisney »

It could be scoring on the walls of the clutch cylinder or the washer split allowing fluid to creep back and forth. I would have it checked by a mechanic though as I would not want you to buy parts on my suggestion which might be totally wrong.

DWD
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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by iambacktolife »

dewaltdisney wrote:It could be scoring on the walls of the clutch cylinder or the washer split allowing fluid to creep back and forth. I would have it checked by a mechanic though as I would not want you to buy parts on my suggestion which might be totally wrong.

DWD
Awesome. Thankfully

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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by fin »

my old transit did similar. eventually the clutch would dissapear. if i pumped the pedal a few times it would come back and work as normal. then eventually no good. pump the pedal a few times and all was good.

the master cylinder was goosed.

it could be the master or the slave though in your case
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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by Bob225 »

75% of the time it will be the slave cylinder weeping iirc its on the outside on the gear box on the FR-V , pop the rubber bellows off and see if its wet

Its a 2 min job up on a ramp to check it
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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by iambacktolife »

fin wrote:my old transit did similar. eventually the clutch would dissapear. if i pumped the pedal a few times it would come back and work as normal. then eventually no good. pump the pedal a few times and all was good.

the master cylinder was goosed.

it could be the master or the slave though in your case
I am grateful for that input.

Thank God it is not a full clutch disk issue. I will consider changing the master cylinder 1st and then the slave if it persists. Or do you reckon I change both at the same time? Does it matter?

Thankfully

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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by dewaltdisney »

I would check the slave cylinder as Bob suggests first. Also check behind the carpet under the clutch pedal as the fluid can leak past the actuating rod and soak into the underside of the carpet unseen. It is unlikely they both have gone.

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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by iambacktolife »

dewaltdisney wrote:I would check the slave cylinder as Bob suggests first. Also check behind the carpet under the clutch pedal as the fluid can leak past the actuating rod and soak into the underside of the carpet unseen. It is unlikely they both have gone.

DWD
Straight away. I will check for leakage under the carpet. Will feedback sooner than later.
So grateful

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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by Bob225 »

The clutch slaves get the abuse, with all the gunk off the road being thrown up under the car, plus with the snow this year there has been a lot of salt about

If it was anything major you would notice a drop in fluid and the pedal will feel very different
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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by iambacktolife »

Bob225 wrote:The clutch slaves get the abuse, with all the gunk off the road being thrown up under the car, plus with the snow this year there has been a lot of salt about

If it was anything major you would notice a drop in fluid and the pedal will feel very different
I have made a visual check under the pedal as recommended earlier. There is no visible leakage.

In the coming week, I will take it to the mechanic to check out the rest.

I am much grateful for all your help.

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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by aeromech3 »

I am assuming the clutch has a reservoir and the level is good and fluid clear, also the breather hole is not blocked (can remove the cap and check the clutch action).
If there are no external leaks and fluid level is constant, then the only place the fluid can pass without loss is from one side to other is in the master!
This is rare and likely only if the wrong fluid has been used ( not talking DOT #s but the type) then the fluid colour should be darker from rubber deterioration and wrong fluid type.
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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by Dave54 »

I thought about this, and the possibilities seem have been pretty well covered.
One other "possible" (not likely though) is that a flexible hose outer case is "ballooning" under pressure through a pinhole in the inner.
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Re: LAZY CLUTCH PEDAL

Post by iambacktolife »

Great exposure. Fantastic details coming through.
The fluid level remains the same when the pedal is pumped. Also there is no discolouration so I suppose the correct fluid has been used.
Could it be that the master is not giving enough pressure to return the pedal to the up position?
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