Volkswagen Sharan loss of clutch

Car: Volkswagen Sharan
Variant: VR6
Model Year: 1996
Categories: Steering, Suspension, Brakes, Wheels & Tyres
I have recently begun towing a large caravan with my VW Sharan VR6.
After a long period of travelling without changing gear, i.e. motorway cruising, when I need to change gear the clutch pedal has no resistance and travels to the floor without clearing the clutch to allow chaginging of gear. It will work if I pump the pedal. The clutch function eventually returns to normal with use.
There is no overheating of the engine, this problem does not occur during normal daily running it only manifests itself after long cruising with no clutch usage.
I cannot find a clutch fluid reservoir, is this a cable clutch? Indeed I cannot locate a brake fluid reservoir. Owner's handbook does not refer to clutch at all.
Posted: Aug 13, 2010 (14 years ago)
maybe master cylinder fault. you need to find resevour for clutch and top up if nessesary and remove air from master cylinder if air locked
Posted Aug 13, 2010 (14 years ago)
Not familar with the clutch set up on that model ,but seems like hydraulic fault with either master cyl. or slave cyl .Could have a look underneath at clutch pedal and see if any sign of fluid leak from master cyl . Might be brake cyl is a dual cyl which also feeds clutch master .Again , not sure , just an educated guess .
Posted Aug 13, 2010 (14 years ago)
this is quite common on a lot of the vw/audi group of cars, it will be the clutch master cylinder
Posted Aug 15, 2010 (14 years ago)

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