Been to view a car today (maybe known on forum?) cluch bite point seems low

EdgarDonaldBalls · 31st March 2018, 20:53

Hi, not sure if it's just me being used to a toyota celica with a very light clutch and high bite point.

Went to look at a ZT Cdti today

Seems like a decent car but when I took it for a test drive I thought the bite point on the clutch pedal seemed very low, at first I couln't seem to select a gear until I realised I had to press the clutch down quite a bit more than I would expect.

I can get what seems like a decent deal on the car trading in my celica and I am pretty happy with the condition of the car, it has the usual problem of one of the doors not unlocking, other than that the only real issue is the clutch. I checked all the usual suspects, fuel pumps, rad fan, intercooler hose and all seems OK.

Is a low bite point common?

The clutch was replaced less than 20k miles ago, think I remember it including the slave cylinder, it had a master cylinder done twice too, in 2014 and 2015 according to the pretty decent wedge of receipts.

Seems to be a pretty well looked after car, not one of the finest examples but pretty good for it's age. The dealer tells me it was owned by an enthusiast who was a member of the owners club so maybe means this one but not sure. It's a black Cdti facelift, reg starts PK54 and from what I remember, the previous owner was located in Kent.

31st March 2018, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdgarDonaldBalls

Hi, not sure if it's just me being used to a toyota celica with a very light clutch and high bite point.

Went to look at a ZT Cdti today

Seems like a decent car but when I took it for a test drive I thought the bite point on the clutch pedal seemed very low, at first I couln't seem to select a gear until I realised I had to press the clutch down quite a bit more than I would expect.

I can get what seems like a decent deal on the car trading in my celica and I am pretty happy with the condition of the car, it has the usual problem of one of the doors not unlocking, other than that the only real issue is the clutch. I checked all the usual suspects, fuel pumps, rad fan, intercooler hose and all seems OK.

Is a low bite point common?

The clutch was replaced less than 20k miles ago, think I remember it including the slave cylinder, it had a master cylinder done twice too, in 2014 and 2015 according to the pretty decent wedge of receipts.

Seems to be a pretty well looked after car, not one of the finest examples but pretty good for it's age. The dealer tells me it was owned by an enthusiast who was a member of the owners club so maybe means this one but not sure. It's a black Cdti facelift, reg starts PK54 and from what I remember, the previous owner was located in Kent.

i were looking at this but too far for me very high mileage https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...us=1500&page=1

slovcan · 31st March 2018, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdgarDonaldBalls

Hi, not sure if it's just me being used to a toyota celica with a very light clutch and high bite point.

Went to look at a ZT Cdti today

Seems like a decent car but when I took it for a test drive I thought the bite point on the clutch pedal seemed very low, at first I couln't seem to select a gear until I realised I had to press the clutch down quite a bit more than I would expect.

I can get what seems like a decent deal on the car trading in my celica and I am pretty happy with the condition of the car, it has the usual problem of one of the doors not unlocking, other than that the only real issue is the clutch. I checked all the usual suspects, fuel pumps, rad fan, intercooler hose and all seems OK.

Is a low bite point common?

The clutch was replaced less than 20k miles ago, think I remember it including the slave cylinder, it had a master cylinder done twice too, in 2014 and 2015 according to the pretty decent wedge of receipts.

Seems to be a pretty well looked after car, not one of the finest examples but pretty good for it's age. The dealer tells me it was owned by an enthusiast who was a member of the owners club so maybe means this one but not sure. It's a black Cdti facelift, reg starts PK54 and from what I remember, the previous owner was located in Kent.

I'd say no, not normal. It has a history of master cylinder rebuilt twice - probably chasing the same problem. So, master or slave cylinder? I think one of them will need doing or replacing. Master - not a big deal. Slave - transmission out, bigger deal.

Wait for an expert to speak up, though.

Cheers,
Glenn

marinabrian · 31st March 2018, 21:14

If the clutch bite is low then there is a fault with the hydraulics, or an incorrect clutch pressure plate has been fitted.

I would be tempted to see as the invoice for the clutch is available, to see if it lists what type of clutch was fitted......when it comes to these cars, there are clutches, and then there are clutches

Either way I would be inclined to walk away from this one

Brian

EdgarDonaldBalls · 31st March 2018, 21:39

Hi, not sure if it's just me being used to a toyota celica with a very light clutch and high bite point.

Went to look at a ZT Cdti today

Seems like a decent car but when I took it for a test drive I thought the bite point on the clutch pedal seemed very low, at first I couln't seem to select a gear until I realised I had to press the clutch down quite a bit more than I would expect.

I can get what seems like a decent deal on the car trading in my celica and I am pretty happy with the condition of the car, it has the usual problem of one of the doors not unlocking, other than that the only real issue is the clutch. I checked all the usual suspects, fuel pumps, rad fan, intercooler hose and all seems OK.

Is a low bite point common?

The clutch was replaced less than 20k miles ago, think I remember it including the slave cylinder, it had a master cylinder done twice too, in 2014 and 2015 according to the pretty decent wedge of receipts.

Seems to be a pretty well looked after car, not one of the finest examples but pretty good for it's age. The dealer tells me it was owned by an enthusiast who was a member of the owners club so maybe means this one but not sure. It's a black Cdti facelift, reg starts PK54 and from what I remember, the previous owner was located in Kent.

trikey · 31st March 2018, 21:42

It would appear there is an issue with the clutch, a good clutch on a diesel will be pretty light and have a normal biting point, budget around £450 to have everything replaced and haggle accordingly

mh007 · 31st March 2018, 21:49

Looks like you have started another thread about this.
You've also had a reply from Trikey on you other thread.

EdgarDonaldBalls · 31st March 2018, 21:51

Thanks for the replies.

The thing is, i'm not sure it really is low. Could just be that it's lower than i'm used to and I hadn't necessarily got the seat in the best position.

I suppose what i did mean was is it usual for the biting point to seem low compared to other cars.

I had a diesel 75 a few years ago and remember it having a heavy clutch but don't remember the biting point being low.

As far as I remember, the receipt just said clutch and slave cylinder replaced, no more information than that and I may even be mistaken about the slave cylinder but i'm pretty sure it was included. the clutch was replaced in 2015 and the second master cylinder was done around the same time so it's had a few years but there was a receipt for bleeding and topping up the clutch hydraulics from last year so could be an on going issue.

I suppose seeing as it's from a dealer, I could get it checked by somebody who knows about such things and if it is a problem I could reject the car as not fit for purpose.

EdgarDonaldBalls · 31st March 2018, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by mh007

Looks like you have started another thread about this.
You've also had a reply from Trikey on you other thread.

Sorry about that, cat walked over my keyboard as I was reading the replies here and caused a whole lot of new tabs to open and sent me back to the login page. must have happened then.

trikey · 31st March 2018, 21:54

If it needs topping up (Or has been topped up) There will be an issue, probably a failing slave cylinder.

31st March 2018, 20:53	#1
EdgarDonaldBalls Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi XPower Grey Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Chester Posts: 153 Thanks: 31 Thanked 37 Times in 30 Posts	Been to view a car today (maybe known on forum?) cluch bite point seems low Hi, not sure if it's just me being used to a toyota celica with a very light clutch and high bite point. Went to look at a ZT Cdti today Seems like a decent car but when I took it for a test drive I thought the bite point on the clutch pedal seemed very low, at first I couln't seem to select a gear until I realised I had to press the clutch down quite a bit more than I would expect. I can get what seems like a decent deal on the car trading in my celica and I am pretty happy with the condition of the car, it has the usual problem of one of the doors not unlocking, other than that the only real issue is the clutch. I checked all the usual suspects, fuel pumps, rad fan, intercooler hose and all seems OK. Is a low bite point common? The clutch was replaced less than 20k miles ago, think I remember it including the slave cylinder, it had a master cylinder done twice too, in 2014 and 2015 according to the pretty decent wedge of receipts. Seems to be a pretty well looked after car, not one of the finest examples but pretty good for it's age. The dealer tells me it was owned by an enthusiast who was a member of the owners club so maybe means this one but not sure. It's a black Cdti facelift, reg starts PK54 and from what I remember, the previous owner was located in Kent.

31st March 2018, 21:39	#5
EdgarDonaldBalls Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi XPower Grey Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Chester Posts: 153 Thanks: 31 Thanked 37 Times in 30 Posts	Been to view a car today (maybe known on forum?) cluch bite point seems low Hi, not sure if it's just me being used to a toyota celica with a very light clutch and high bite point. Went to look at a ZT Cdti today Seems like a decent car but when I took it for a test drive I thought the bite point on the clutch pedal seemed very low, at first I couln't seem to select a gear until I realised I had to press the clutch down quite a bit more than I would expect. I can get what seems like a decent deal on the car trading in my celica and I am pretty happy with the condition of the car, it has the usual problem of one of the doors not unlocking, other than that the only real issue is the clutch. I checked all the usual suspects, fuel pumps, rad fan, intercooler hose and all seems OK. Is a low bite point common? The clutch was replaced less than 20k miles ago, think I remember it including the slave cylinder, it had a master cylinder done twice too, in 2014 and 2015 according to the pretty decent wedge of receipts. Seems to be a pretty well looked after car, not one of the finest examples but pretty good for it's age. The dealer tells me it was owned by an enthusiast who was a member of the owners club so maybe means this one but not sure. It's a black Cdti facelift, reg starts PK54 and from what I remember, the previous owner was located in Kent.

31st March 2018, 21:42	#6
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,777 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	It would appear there is an issue with the clutch, a good clutch on a diesel will be pretty light and have a normal biting point, budget around £450 to have everything replaced and haggle accordingly __________________ Lest we forget..

31st March 2018, 21:54	#10
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,777 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	If it needs topping up (Or has been topped up) There will be an issue, probably a failing slave cylinder. __________________ Lest we forget..

31st March 2018, 21:14	#4
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	If the clutch bite is low then there is a fault with the hydraulics, or an incorrect clutch pressure plate has been fitted. I would be tempted to see as the invoice for the clutch is available, to see if it lists what type of clutch was fitted......when it comes to these cars, there are clutches, and then there are clutches Either way I would be inclined to walk away from this one Brian

31st March 2018, 21:49	#7
mh007 This is my second home MG ZT260 SE, MG ZT190+, MG ZTT 160, R75 Conn SE 2.0, R75 Conn SE 2.5 X 3, R75 Club SE 1.8, P5B Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Keynsham, Bristol Posts: 4,211 Thanks: 65 Thanked 635 Times in 499 Posts	Looks like you have started another thread about this. You've also had a reply from Trikey on you other thread.

31st March 2018, 21:51	#8
EdgarDonaldBalls Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi XPower Grey Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Chester Posts: 153 Thanks: 31 Thanked 37 Times in 30 Posts	Thanks for the replies. The thing is, i'm not sure it really is low. Could just be that it's lower than i'm used to and I hadn't necessarily got the seat in the best position. I suppose what i did mean was is it usual for the biting point to seem low compared to other cars. I had a diesel 75 a few years ago and remember it having a heavy clutch but don't remember the biting point being low. As far as I remember, the receipt just said clutch and slave cylinder replaced, no more information than that and I may even be mistaken about the slave cylinder but i'm pretty sure it was included. the clutch was replaced in 2015 and the second master cylinder was done around the same time so it's had a few years but there was a receipt for bleeding and topping up the clutch hydraulics from last year so could be an on going issue. I suppose seeing as it's from a dealer, I could get it checked by somebody who knows about such things and if it is a problem I could reject the car as not fit for purpose.