406oc.co.uk

My 406 has done 153k carefully driven miles on the original clutch (I know the other two owners very well). Since i've had it, i noticed that the clutch is a big effort all round. When I'm taking off, I have to ease off the clutch because if i hop off it the car will jerk. When i'm going through the gears up until third i have to curl my toes and ease off it really gently. Its a pain to drive to be honest and it takes away from a good driving experience. Also, If i can drive the car from a standstill in second AND THIRD surely somethings not right?

Not to mention, it has a very high biting point but, once released, it is ok and doesn't affect the drive

Sorry Eoin, but it does sound like it won't go on too much longer. I nearly bought a 406 which drove OK, but had a very high biting point. Agreed to buy it, paid deposit, then the clutch failed before I collected it. Your mileage isn't that high for the original clutch, my last Xsara HDi 90 is on its original at 185,000, but has been showing signs of hydraulic problems for some time.
Please don't tale my word for it, but assuming you're going to change the clutch if necessary, I would suggest finding the cheapest alternatives now & planning to do it before you have no choice.

Luck

If it's a cable (non-hydraulic) clutch, it's likely the cable's just rusted in the sleeve... I'd suggest you disconnect it from the clutch and get some lubricant down it before reconnecting. If that eases the problem it will only last a few days, but you then know that you just need a new cable, not a new clutch

Haynes doesn't seem to know if it's cable or hydraulic Sounds like you've got some harshness issues, oil contamination? Broken engine mount? Broken diaphragm spring?? If it is a hydraulic they all bite high. Mine pulls away in 3rd, it's a diesel, it's not happy about it though. The question is does the clutch slip - do the revs rise without an increase in road speed?

steve_earwig wrote:If it is a hydraulic they all bite high. Mine pulls away in 3rd, it's a diesel, it's not happy about it though. The question is does the clutch slip - do the revs rise without an increase in road speed?

Mine doesn't slip or rev as i pull away. Thats why i wasn't too sure if it was fooked or not. Its a hydraulic clutch as are all the ones in the d9s(I think)

Its just a bit shuddery and if i slow down to take a right turn, second is too much and third isn't enough. Maybe thats just the standard because my last 406 was much the same

eoin27 wrote:Its a hydraulic clutch as are all the ones in the d9s(I think)

Nope. Amyway, both mine are hydraulic and both bite near the top.

Second is too much and third isn't enough? Either take it slower or a bit faster! (If that's what you mean).

If the clutch isn't slipping then it's not worn out! Juddery clutches - broken diphragm spring, oil contamination or squishy/broken engine mounting. You've not got a dmf so it won't be that, umm, can't think of anything else.

Cheers Steve. All she needs is a good service. Was in a bit of a smash last night, was a passenger in a now written off ford Ka. Moral: Don't buy a ford ka. My 6 would have stopped in time.

Krist, I didn't see that before, You ok?

I never feel safe in tiny cars.

eoin27 wrote:Cheers Steve. All she needs is a good service. Was in a bit of a smash last night, was a passenger in a now written off ford Ka. Moral: Don't buy a ford ka. My 6 would have stopped in time.

You ok Eoin? What happened?

Was heading back to college in Dublin for the week and i was sitting in the back seat of a ka being driven by my sisters boyfriend. My sister was sitting up front. He wasn't paying attention and there was a standstill on the road ahead. He slapped the anchors and the ka skipped along (like a pebble being thrown across a lake is the best way i can describe it). He managed to get some control back and aimed it towards the barrier to minimize damage but clipped the back of a hyundai getz and basically wrote off both cars. The front wheel came clean off the Ka. What a crap car. If he went straight into the back of the hyundai, i doubt i'd be here today. No joke scary stuff. Gave me confidence in owning a quality motor like the 406 though because it would have stopped dead.

Cheers for your concern guys.

Jesus matey! Thank christ it didn't happen after the snow had fallen!!
Glad you're ok!

I purchased my 406 HDi last August.It had 87000 miles and on the way home when I put my foot down
in 5 gear it slipped.I covered another 3000 miles in it before finally had it replaced.Turns out clutch was
okay,but the twin mass fly wheel was worn which is what was causing it to slip.