Hard clutch pedal- one more question

[miguel oliveira]

I have a 2003 TT with aprox. 72000 kms for 3 years now, and for the last month I have been feeling the clutch pedal getting hard but I also feel the clutch more predictable now. I know this is the clutch accumulator but my question is: does it do any arm to continue to drive the car like this ,or should I replace the accumulator as soon as possible?

Thank you in advance

Miguel Oliveira

[Stevenorcal]

I drove my car for almost a year without replacing accumulator, no damage was done. I was busy and didnt get to it and it was a job I wanted to do myself. I know the feeling your describing, I had became use to the "heavier" clutch feeling and when I change out accumulator it felt so soft I stalled or lurched the my car 6-8 times

Edited January 30, 2011 by Stevenorcal

[miguel oliveira]

Thanks for your reply. I also want to do the job myself and if no harm is done I will continue to drive like this until I got time for the DIY

[RFM]

I would first check what exactly is defective, accumulator, slave cylinder/valve block/power unit, power steering pump or a fracture/deformation in the clutch system itself, an accumulator is what it is, a spare storage of liquid under pressure, to remain auxiliary power for approx. 10 clutch pedal movements with the engine shut off. In other words with the engine running receives the power cylinder/valve block, on the gearbox, always directly pump pressure. It's important to know for sure what's broken before replacing parts randomly.

It is only the rear part of the hydraulic clutch system (accumulator and power unit) which is under high pressure, the front part (main cylinder, clutch fluid canister and clutch fluid line to the rear of the car) works like a regular Carrera. The pedal box parts and the main cylinder will go defective over the long term, they are not designed for long time use without clutch power assistance, they can't hold the much heavier pressure that the driver should perform on the pedal.

[miguel oliveira]

I would first check what exactly is defective, accumulator, slave cylinder/valve block/power unit, power steering pump or a fracture/deformation in the clutch system itself, an accumulator is what it is, a spare storage of liquid under pressure, to remain auxiliary power for approx. 10 clutch pedal movements with the engine shut off. In other words with the engine running receives the power cylinder/valve block, on the gearbox, always directly pump pressure. It's important to know for sure what's broken before replacing parts randomly.

It is only the rear part of the hydraulic clutch system (accumulator and power unit) which is under high pressure, the front part (main cylinder, clutch fluid canister and clutch fluid line to the rear of the car) works like a regular Carrera. The pedal box parts and the main cylinder will go defective over the long term, they are not designed for long time use without clutch power assistance, they can't hold the much heavier pressure that the driver should perform on the pedal.

First of all Thank you for your reply. Is there a way to know what is the defective part?

What I feel is: before starring the car I press the clutch, as the engine buids up speed I feel the pedal going soft. As I start to drive the car ,sometimes between 1st and 2nd gear or neutral and 1st, the pedal gets hard again but goes smoth with another press.

[RFM]

I have the impression that there are several things do not work as it should, hard to say from a distance, i would let it check by a competent person.

[wvicary]

At minium you have an accumunlator fault. I would replace it first and reassess the clutch operation.

[willmac996]

I thought I had same problem as you as pedal was progressively getting stiffer. Thought it was accumulator.

However after putting car into OPC ( as it is still under warranty ) turned out I needed a new clutch as all other components, accumulator, slave cylinder etc were all OK.

Cost me a hell of a lot more money than I expected as typically warranty did not cover it.

Car now drives as it should, different animal now.