Cost to replace clutch slave (?) cylinder in horsebox

[frannieuk]

Hi all,

I went to go showjumping this morning, tried to start the lorry (2001 Iveco Euro) and the clutch pedal shot straight to the floor. Clutch is not engaging either.
Closer inspection (at 0530 am with a torch!) showed no fluid in the reservoir but I can't see any leaks or anything under the lorry, even in daylight. I tried topping the fluid up but it only took 100ml or so and made no difference whatsoever to the clutch pedal.
I last used the lorry last weekend and it was all perfect, so whatever has happened, has occurred whilst stood this week. It's in regular use and was serviced 7 weeks ago.

My rudimentary engineering knowledge is pointing me to a failure of the slave cylinder, backed up another livery's husband who had a similar issue on their old Daf, and I'll call the mechanic on Monday, but can anyone give me an idea of how much it's likely to cost? And will I need to have the master done at the same time?

Best laid plans and all that...horse was probably pleased to have a day in the field rather than stood on the box, and I've refrained from internet bargain hunting in case of enormous bills!!

Thanks in advance,
Frannie

 

[Dry Rot]

As nobody else has had a "go". I'm guessing it will not cost a fortune. I have done several on various vehicles and I am not especially skilled. Someone who actually knows will be along in a minute! Meantime, I don't think you have a major worry. Any fluid leaking into the cab, foot brake area? Yes, do both cylinders while you're at it and change the fluid. I think you might be able to get repair kits (just the rubber bits) rather than replace the cylinders.

 

[frannieuk]

Thanks DR, that's encouraging! Didn't notice any fluid in the cab, but will check tomorrow

 

[popsdosh]

Thanks DR, that's encouraging! Didn't notice any fluid in the cab, but will check tomorrow

Have you noticed any fluid under the cluch housing. If you have a major leak I would expect a pool of fluid under the cylinder. These are also very prone to fluid line failure due to corrosion so look if you can see a pool at any point at the front end of the lorry
You may get away short term with bleeding the system properly it does not sound like you have and there will be air in the system.You cannot just top up an empty system and expect it to work.
I am not sure repair kits are available for those cylinders as they are not listed in the repair manual for that truck . you do need to have the engine running ideally when bleeding air from the system as depending on Variant it will have an air assisted master cylinder.

 

[frannieuk]

Thanks popsdosh, didn't see any fluid under the housing either. And you're right, I didn't bleed the system (reached the limit of engineering knowledge!) - will have a google and see what's what tomorrow as it'd be better if I could drive it to the mechanic!

Thanks again, F.

 

[Dry Rot]

A quick Google came up with this….

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IVECO-EUROCARGO-CLUTCH-MASTER-CYLINDER-REPAIR-KIT-/301275978225

There's sure to be an Iveco Enthusiasts Group. isn't there?

 

[conniegirl]

Replacing both the clutch slave and master cylinders on my lorry was around £600 mainly in the cost of parts (it was deffinately NOT repairable!). As your lorry probably has more readily available parts it will probably be cheaper. Just be thankfull yours went before you were travelling! Mine went as I was coming off a motorway with youngstock onboard! I was nearly 100 miles from home. Managed to nurse my lorry to a local show producers yard who looked after us untill the recovery lorry arrived.
Got a much newer lorry now!

 

[popsdosh]

Bleeding the system will be relatively simple but will be a lot easier with two people. I will PM my contacts if you need advice.

 

[Dry Rot]

A quick Google came up with this….

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IVECO-EUROCARGO-CLUTCH-MASTER-CYLINDER-REPAIR-KIT-/301275978225

There's sure to be an Iveco Enthusiasts Group. isn't there?

Here you go:

http://ivecoforums.com/topic/1105810/1/

Also… Hydraulic clutch systems are all quite similar.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...q=changing+clutch+cylinders&sc=0-18&sp=-1&sk=

If the seals have gone in the cylinders, why would it make any difference to bleed the system?

 

[popsdosh]

Here you go:

http://ivecoforums.com/topic/1105810/1/

Also… Hydraulic clutch systems are all quite similar.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...q=changing+clutch+cylinders&sc=0-18&sp=-1&sk=

If the seals have gone in the cylinders, why would it make any difference to bleed the system?

Thats for vans not Euro cargos

The OP stated that they had put fluid in but the clutch still did not work!!!! They need to bleed the system and hey presto it may work it may not . I have known systems lose fluid and still work after refilling and bleeding . there could be several reasons for this situation and I certainly can not tell without seeing it but why suggest changing the seals when you dont know thats the issue. From what the OP has said I am not sure they would be up to resealing the cylinders anyhow. Euros are renowned for having to replace cylinders both clutch and brake and at best resealing is usually only a stop gap fix that is why no official iveco kit is available as far as I am aware. I have the workshop manual in front of me and there is no mention of how to reseal the cylinders

 

[DragonSlayer]

Mechanic husband says no need to replace the cylinder that hasn't failed, you are just throwing money away. Get it checked and replace only the one that needs doing.

 

[popsdosh]

Mechanic husband says no need to replace the cylinder that hasn't failed, you are just throwing money away. Get it checked and replace only the one that needs doing.

Exactly and that can only be achieved by it being diagnosed . Bleeding the system will give you a better idea of where the fluid lose is occuring

 

[frannieuk]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback everyone - this forum is super for advice. Going to have a bash at bleeding the system today and will see if I can see where the fluid loss is, and then I think it's a job for someone better qualified than me! If I can at least drive it to the mechanic, it'd be a help...
Thanks again for the advice, it's much appreciated

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Cost of repairs can vary wildly depending on the mechanic you call or if you take it into a lorry garage. Some places will charge company rates that will be £70+ per hour plus parts. Some mechanics will do the job a a foreigner & the cost will be at least half that price, may be less. Find a friendly mechanic. I found one to check over my DAF lorry for MOT, he checked everything, steam cleaned underneath, fixed an oil leak & replaced the break load adjuster. He charged me £60 plus the part which he sourced secong hand at half the price of a new one. Lorry sailed through its test.

 

[frannieuk]

Thanks T_Z, I have a local 'friendly' mechanic who's pretty reasonable, and I also use one who's a bit more commercial for the servicing and main repairs - mech No.1 is ace at jury rigs and emergency repairs, and No.2 has more of a long term outlook on things! Unfortunately No2 is about 65 miles away, so I think No1 will get the job!

 

[Dry Rot]

Mechanic husband says no need to replace the cylinder that hasn't failed, you are just throwing money away. Get it checked and replace only the one that needs doing.

…which is why I generally do my own repairs! Sorry, but I don't agree.

If the rubber seals of one cylinder are perished, might as well do the other while your hands are dirty as they are probably the same age and by Sod's Law will both fail around the same time. Quite another thing if you are running a garage though! Things fail when least convenient so I always prefer to play safe. That repair kit on Ebay was £20 which is cheap insurance.

 

[popsdosh]

…which is why I generally do my own repairs! Sorry, but I don't agree.

If the rubber seals of one cylinder are perished, might as well do the other while your hands are dirty as they are probably the same age and by Sod's Law will both fail around the same time. Quite another thing if you are running a garage though! Things fail when least convenient so I always prefer to play safe. That repair kit on Ebay was £20 which is cheap insurance.

If not the seals though £20 wasted plus the cost of getting somebody to do it as most on this forum would not find it an easy job. As I stated earlier Iveco dont even tell you how to replace the seals in the workshop manual as usually on eurocargo the seals outlive the cylinder.

 

[Dry Rot]

If not the seals though £20 wasted plus the cost of getting somebody to do it as most on this forum would not find it an easy job. As I stated earlier Iveco dont even tell you how to replace the seals in the workshop manual as usually on eurocargo the seals outlive the cylinder.

We men have our uses!