Clutch kit - Ford Fiesta

MissShihTzu

Hi all

I think I previously posted about the clutch going on my 2007 Fiesta. At the time the car broke down, the breakdown guy did tell me that the master cylinder had gone.

Got a mechanic on Tuesday, after the Bank Holiday, and I know I told him the clutch had gone and that it was the master cylinder.

Anyway - mechanic charged me E480 to fix and I got the car back. Happy days!

Tonight - the clutch went again!!!:mad: Right in the middle of the Dunkettle roundabout. Needless to say, I was less than impressed at having to call the tow truck again. This mechanic told me the master cylinder had gone...Same as last time.

I checked the invoice from last week - the mechanic had only fitted a clutch kit and not replaced the cylinder...

Before I go in all guns blazing tomorrow, I wanted to get some opinions from you guys first. Of course, I do not expect to pay again for the repair, but please do let me know what you think.

TIA

Toyotafanboi

Going in all guns blazing never really helps, that'd be my first tip. Cool, calm and collected usually gets better results.

I'm not sure where you stand as regards getting the repair for free tbh.

I suppose you could argue that it was misdiagnosed but then you could also argue that the mechanic who fitted the parts didn't diagnose anything, he just fitted what you asked but forgot to/ didn't fit one part of it and if you want that part fitted now you will have to pay for it.

What is the problem you were having? Clutch going to the floor and not coming back up?

MissShihTzu

Thanks for the reply. My anger is stone cold at the moment. The first time the car broke down, the breakdown guy did say it was the master cylinder and I told the mechanic that when he took the car for repair.

I have to be honest and say I didn't look at the invoice, and just filed it away happy the car was fixed. It was only when I fetched it tonight to have a look at what was done, I realised only a clutch kit was fitted.

Yes, the pedal just dropped to the floor when trying to change down to approach the roundabout. I managed to brake, and get off the roundabout.

I have to say I think it is unreasonable to expect me to pay twice for essentially the same repair.

Toyotafanboi

MissShihTzu wrote: »

I have to say I think it is unreasonable to expect me to pay twice for essentially the same repair.

That's the thing. Replacing the clutch kit or replacing the clutch master cylinder are two totally different things.

You asked for both but you got (and paid for) just one of the two, so expecting the second for free may not be reasonable.

That said, a good mechanic, or even a bad one should know that if the pedal is staying on the floor that a clutch kit won't fix it. So you could argue that he should have known better but I don't know how that'll fair out in reality.

A compromise on price may be appropriate.

MissShihTzu

MissShihTzu wrote: »

Got a mechanic on Tuesday, after the Bank Holiday, and I know I told him the clutch had gone and that it was the master cylinder.

I didn't - I told him the master cylinder had gone. At no point did I ask him to fit a clutch kit.

So that is why I do not expect to pay for the repair. I do not believe he properly diagnosed the problem.

Waterson

Did he replace the slave cylinder (which would necessitate removing the gearbox) or the master cylinder? Before you spend any more money check that the plunger for the master cylinder hasn't slipped off the clutch pedal: very common and rectified by a 5c circlip.

E36Ross

Master cylinder is very very common on these.... So may not have been the clutch at all.

MissShihTzu

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, I had to pay another E94 yesterday, and most definitely was NOT impressed. I told the mechanic both times the cylinder had gone which is what both of the breakdown guys told me. He went ahead and fitted a clutch kit.

I would have thought if I told the mechanic the clutch had gone and the breakdown guy stated it was a cylinder, he would checked the ENTIRE clutch including both cylinders to see what the problem was, and checked all parts before giving back the car.

I am no expert, but like to think I am sharp enough to know when I think someone is taking the p1ss. I intend to follow this up, getting advice from another mechanic as well as Ford.

Thanks guys!

Toyotafanboi

MissShihTzu wrote: »

I intend to follow this up, getting advice from another mechanic as well as Ford.

Thanks guys!

What do you intend to follow up in regards to?

Ford definitely will want to avoid "helping" you like the plague. I can't see any other mechanic getting too involved tbh.

MissShihTzu

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

What do you intend to follow up in regards to?

Ford definitely will want to avoid "helping" you like the plague. I can't see any other mechanic getting too involved tbh.

No harm in asking. If you don't ask, you don't get.

lawred2

Was there a need to fit that clutch kit?

Can the cylinder be replaced in isolation?

MissShihTzu

lawred2 wrote: »

Was there a need to fit that clutch kit?

Can the cylinder be replaced in isolation?

That's what I want to know. Hence my follow-up. I'm not sure this sounds right, but then again I'm not a mechanic...

E36Ross

lawred2 wrote: »

Was there a need to fit that clutch kit?

Can the cylinder be replaced in isolation?

Yes master cylinder is actually behind the pedal, there's a leg coming off it that's attached to the pedal... Normally that comes off so the pedal is 'dead'