Strange cold clutch noise

ferry

Ford Focus 2004 mk1
Hope someone can advise me please.

I'm experiencing a strange clutch 'groaning' noise when pulling away and raising the clutch but this only happens when the clutch is cold.

It seems fine, no slipping etc, but I get the 'groan' when the clutch is lifted to about half way and goes away when fully up or pressed. Only happens when i lift the clutch.Bit like something is rubbing just at that point?

(sorry for the poor description but hope you get what I mean!)

thanks F

Strider590

Is it the pedal, or is it in the engine bay?

ferry

Strider590 wrote: »

Is it the pedal, or is it in the engine bay?

Good point.
I would say pedal end

Richard53

Could be just a dry pedal pivot. Get a can of WD-40 with a straw and spray up around the top of the pedal bracket. If the noise goes away, you've found the problem. Easy and cheap to try before investigating the oily bits.

Nobbie1967

May be the release bearing in the clutch mechanism is on the way out. This bit presses against the clutch to release drive to the gearbox. If it is this then it will get noisier until failure.

shaun_from_Africa

Richard53 wrote: »

Could be just a dry pedal pivot. Get a can of WD-40 with a straw and spray up around the top of the pedal bracket.

Making very sure that you don't get WD40 on any of the pedal rubbers as a very small amount could easily cause your foot to slip off.

cts_casemod

hard to know without further investigation.

I second the bearing as a common cause. Particularly common on VW group cars, when the clutch is 80K or older. If it is, the noise will stop when the clutch is pressed.

They take a long time to fail, the clutch generally goes first.

Dual mass flywheels can also cause some vibration and noise while the pedal is lifted and the car is in neutral gear or when taking off as the dampers get worn.

I would advise against any home made remedies like WD40. If they ever do anything, it will only be temporary, plus the strong solvents can further deteriorate any rubber parts. (Pointless fore the bearing too as that's inside the gearbox hosing)

Richard53

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Making very sure that you don't get WD40 on any of the pedal rubbers as a very small amount could easily cause your foot to slip off.

Which is why I suggested using a straw - it's possible to be quite accurate and just attack the pivot with no mess anywhere else.

cts_casemod wrote: »

I would advise against any home made remedies like WD40. If they ever do anything, it will only be temporary, plus the strong solvents can further deteriorate any rubber parts. (Pointless fore the bearing too as that's inside the gearbox hosing)

I wasn't suggesting it as a remedy - it was a way of identifying if the pedal pivot was the problem. If spraying WD-40 quietens it down, you have located the issue and can make a permanent repair.

I would always advocate the zero-cost option before dismantling anything major (or paying a garage to do it). If it wasn't the pedal but something more serious, you have lost nothing but a few minutes. Obviously it requires further investigation, but it's sensible to start with the easy stuff and work up.