S40 Clutch Slave Cylinder

[JayT78]

This is my first post, so first of all i would like to say Hi!

This is about my girlfriends Volvo S40 2.0se, its a '97 non turbo model.
Last week she was on her way home and it seemed like the clutch had gone it wouldn't change gear, it had been a bit noisy the previous few days.
She found out off the previous owner that the clutch had been changed just over a year ago, so it seemed a bit weird that it had gone so soon after. She was phoning around to get quotes and they seemed to think it wasn't the clutch but the Clutch Slave Cylinder. They were saying that it was in the gearbox so they would have to take that off to get at it. A much bigger job they said, at least £200 in labour alone, and the part was expensive to.

The thing is, according to the Haynes manual we have the non turbo models have the slave cylinder on top of the gearbox instead of inside. The only thing that it says to remove is the air cleaner which is above this part. The Turbo models it says you have to remove the gearbox. I took a picture of what the Haynes manual says is the slave cylinder this morning on my phone.

Is this the right part? and is it possible to change this without removing the gearbox?

She did phone a Volvo place and they said there was a way to check if it was the clutch or not. They said to put it in first gear, and start the car. If it moved then the clutch was ok. We did this and it did move, so does this mean the clutch is ok or not?

Thanks for any help in advance!

[4 forty]

firstly, have you checked the fluid level in the master cylinder? the clutch slave cylinder feed is not far below the full mark, therefore if its dropped too far, it will allow air in to the clutch hydraulic system.
secondly, as you have haynes,you will see how to bleed the clutch system, have you tried doing this.

paul

[JayT78]

Thanks for the response,

I haven't had a chance to check the car properly in daylight yet, its not even outside the house. It had to be towed back when it went, and there was no space outside the house. Would air in the slave cylinder stop the clutch from working then? and could it take a few weeks to make a difference?

I'm new to hydraulic clutches and Volvo's to be honest....

Something i didn't mention, just after the new year the car had new rear calipers, discs and pads. The girlfriend had let the car go bad, there was no pads left on the rear and the calipers had been worn really bad. There was no fluid in the reservoir when i did all this for her so air could have easily got into the clutch system. By the time the pistons were pushed back in front and rear calipers the fluid was back up to min level. This was done about a month ago, do you think this could have caused the clutch to stop working?

I am trying to work out if the garages are trying to pull a fast one, as it was my girlfriend ringing around for the prices. They were making out this was a massive job, and one said the slave cylinder alone would cost £320. We got a price of £58 from a motor factors this morning, so i think they are having a laugh.

[4 forty]

by your detailed responce, i would think it highly likely that you have air in the system, if your beakes are perfoming properly, just bleed the clutch slave cylinder, its an easy job.

paul

[JayT78]

Many thanks! Will try that in the morning, as long as the weather is ok!
Fingers crossed that's what it is.

Why do you think the garages were making out that this part was inside the gearbox when clearly it isn't?

[Nickmac]

Errrrr, because most of 'em haven't got a clucking flue what they're talking about, and when presented with what they see as an opportunity to load up a bill, and make a bit of easy money, they jump in with both feet!
I ask ya, £320 for a slave cylinder!
Always use a recommended garage (ask around your freinds etc) or get some advice from someone "in the know".

[celticd]

Your problem is the gear linkage. Change this and the gears will fall into place easily.