I have a Volkswagen Golf MK5 2.0 TDi 4motion (BKD) 6 speed manual (FUQ). Lately the clutch pedal is sometimes sticking at about 2/3 down. If I have the car in gear and press the clutch I can sense if the pedal is going to stick on release as the biting point is then really low. If I have the car in neutral and press the clutch I can sense if the pedal is going to stick on release because I cannot get it into gear. I would then have to turn the car off, pull the clutch pedal up with my foot and start the car again. This happens only occasionally and always when trying to shift gear from stand still or at very low speed. There are no other typical signs of clutch wear.
- From what I have read this is likely because of air trapped in the hydraulic system. The most probable cause for this is a faulty master and/or slave cylinder. Correct?
- Is the master cylinder located in the engine bay, behind the clutch and bolted to the firewall? Is the slave cylinder located inside the bell housing on all 6 speed mk5's?
- I guess I should start with bleeding the clutch. How do I get access to the bleed nipple if the slave cylinder is inside the bell housing? From the engine bay or from under the car? Btw, it is a left hand drive.
- What is the most effective way to bleed the clutch system? Some say you need special tools and a pressure bleeder, some say you dont. Some say pump the clutch, some say dont touch it. Some say let gravity do the bleeding and some say the only way to do this right is to reverse bleed.
- If bleeding does not help at all or only for a short while, is there anything I can do to diagnose this other than a visual inspection? Can VCDS perform tests on the clutch system?
Any help appreciated!
