Scratching noise...

[Azazello]

Hello everybody, my car (Cleon engine) had a new clutch kit (valeo) around 60k kms ago. Since new I heard a strange sound when I press the clutch pedal when cold (once the engine warms up all is fine), but all worked fine. From a few weeks the noise is louder, and today a couple of time seemed difficult to change gears.
Any idea of what is the possible cause?
I think about the release bearing...
Is there any try I can do to identify the problem?
What kind of damage I risk driving in this situation (I really need the car these days)?
I think I should plan to substitue the whole kit since it is quite cheap, but it involves a lot of work...

 

[mojobaby]

Hello Azazello, is it just a matter of clutch lever adjustment?? Maybe the clutch plate is not releasing far enough from the flywheel when you change gears.
It's easy to adjust on my 845cc. Is your car 956cc??

 

[Azazello]

Hello Azazello, is it just a matter of clutch lever adjustment?? Maybe the clutch plate is not releasing far enough from the flywheel when you change gears.
It's easy to adjust on my 845cc. Is your car 956cc??

Yes, 956 "enlarged" with 1108 pistons and liners. But they're the same engine, just the inside changes a bit.
It is quite easy to adjust clutch lever in a 845, but I do not think it can be regulated in cleon engines. Nonetheless I will have a look in the afternoon. Thank you!

 

[mojobaby]

A few years ago I adjusted the clutch on my 1108cc GTL. I can't remember how I did it, I only remember lying on my back under the car.
I'm busy taking the engine out at the moment so if I get to the place of adjustment I'll take a photo for you. It might only be in a few days time.

 

[Azazello]

A few years ago I adjusted the clutch on my 1108cc GTL. I can't remember how I did it, I only remember lying on my back under the car.
I'm busy taking the engine out at the moment so if I get to the place of adjustment I'll take a photo for you. It might only be in a few days time.

I had a short look just by the hood and somethimg came to my mind... if I remember well when I changed the clutch cable there is a nut under the leverage, where the cable ends... surely you can see it only lying under ghe car.

 

[mojobaby]

Hi Azazello I have some photos for you. I now know why I was lying underneath the car when I adjusted the clutch. It's because the starter motor is in the way. Lying under the car there is a small gap between the sump and the chassis. It's difficult but possible to work from there.
You have to be careful not to turn the nut too much (if it is seized or rusty)because the threaded bar is attached to the clutch cable.

First photo is looking from the top with the starter motor removed The bracket is bolted to the engine mount

The next photo the bracket is moved (the bracket has a slot in it where the cable slides in) and you can see the clutch cable going into the clutch lever arm


In the next photo you can see the clutch lever end. It has a cut out underneath where the end cross pin from the cable fits. The cut outs are where my fingers are

In the last photo is the cable end. To release the cable, I pulled the clutch lever upwards and pushed the cable end downwards. It came out quite easily. The bottom nut is only to secure the top nut after adjustment.

I don't think it will help you with the scratching noise but it will definitely make gear changing a bit easier.I think it is possible to remove the cable and work from above

As you say, it's a time consuming job to change the clutch and its difficult if you use your car every day. Good luck to you!

 

[Azazello]

Thanks, very kind of you...
Tried already, the thread was not rusted because the cable is not older than 1 year... tightened a bit and added a cup of oil in the gearbox.
Now gears enter easier, but I think it's because of the oil missing.
It is still noisy but it seems a bit less, when I take the car from cold and when ther is very moist air, or fog.
I think it's a clutch bearing fault, and should change it... hope it will last without problems until I have my mum's clio back and can do the job without leaving the whole family carless!