Symptoms of the defective clutch pump and their causes

The clutch is an automotive organ that mating transmits a moment of power of a rotation movement or interrupts this movement of rotation for misleading. It can be ordered mechanically with cable or hydraulic, much more efficient.

The main cylinder (clutch pump or central pump) transforms the mechanical power into hydraulic pressure and transmits it to the receptor cylinder. Therefore, the relatively weak force generated by the manual press of the pedal is hydraulically amplified, generating a much larger force, sufficient for the clutch plate. When pressing the first clutch pedal, the piston 4 of the central pump 3 moves and sends the liquid through the 12 connection tube, to the receptor cylinder 10, through auction 9, the piston of the receiving cylinder will act for fork 7, producing debris. When the release of the clutch pedal, the springs bring the mechanism to the initial position.

Symptoms of the defective clutch pump and their causes

• The clutch pedal is no longer in a normal position
• He feels scratched after pressing the pedal
• The clutch pedal should be pressed more so that it acts and remains rigid
• The upper point of the clutch pedal gradually decreases
• The stripes appear on the work cylinder
• The pedal is soft regardless of the number of pedals performed: a cause would be the chronic loss of the clutch fluid, another cause could be air in the installation, but if after ventilation the clutch does not work properly, another possible cause is the defective pump.
• The stoned pedal: the lever connected to the plate is used which maintains the pressure within the optimal limits and the pump does not work
• Humidity under the cylinder in the clutch pump area
• The low level of the clutch liquid or dirty liquid – could be the damaged gaskets inside the main cylinder, due to wear. After adding the clutch fluid, monitor its permanent level.
• The main cylinder is not able to correctly create the pressure and will not be able to properly disconnect the clutch when the pedal is pressed.
• The point of commitment has changed suddenly: if you started on the road and after a period you stopped, and when you want to leave, the car does not start and remove strange noises, check the liquid level, because the tank could be empty and the remaining liquid on the pipes is kept in motion, but it certainly realizes that she cannot start.
• Dark clutch fluid: if you have been left without liquid and filled again, but in a short time it has changed its color, it means that the entire installation has problems and residues and must be clean including the pump. The change of the hydraulic fluid must be performed every year or after 60,000 km. Use only fluid clutch.

Solutions to protect the clutch pump

• When making a maneuver in walking, press the clutch until the end.
• Gently release the clutch pedal when the box is in one of the speed steps and the accelerator pedal is pressed.
• Do not keep your foot on the clutch in traffic jams or traffic lights.
• Do not keep the car in the clutch ramp. Use the handbrake.
• Do not support the foot on the clutch pedal while walking; For this there is the lateral cut of the body from the left of the pedal.
• Do not give way when you are in a higher gear.
• Do not overload the clutch by performing the following operations: trailer, sanding, steep ramp, walking through areas not compared.
• Equip the car with appropriate tires for each season.

Verification methods if the clutch pump is defective

Method n. 1

Stay in the car with the doors and closed windows. Don’t start the engine. Press the clutch. Normally, when there are no problems, the pedal should work in silence and without hitches, without blocks or fall. If noises appear, the pedal sinks or remains blocked, one of the causes would be the wear of the rear arch (being the replacement).

With the gearbox in the deadly point (neutral), press the clutch and turn on the engine. If you feel strange sounds, it may be necessary to replace the bearing.

Method n. 2

This method only applies if the handbrake is in perfect condition.

Pull the brake. Start the car correctly (with the gearbox in the deadline and the pressure clutch), then coupled in Speed1 and easily release the pedal. If the engine speed decreases slowly and in the end it stops, it means that everything is fine. If the engine continues to work, there are problems with the clutch.

Method n. 3

Transform the engine into a neutral position and pull the handbrake. Press the clutch pedal completely, but clearly and smoothly. Wait a few seconds and the marshal begins. If there are no problems, the start should be easy, without effort. Even smooth, alternatively speed 1 couples and vice versa. If everything is normal, without blocks, noise or other anomalies, it means that there are no problems.

Since not all car models are equipped with automatic clutch adjustment, its game must be adjusted after each intervention and every inspection, therefore it is recommended to resort to an authorized service to perform any operation in the clutch.