Quattro with issues

quirt61 · 05-05-2012, 09:08 AM

Hi all,
I recently picked up my first Audi (97 A4 Quattro) and am trying to figure out just what the issues are with it. The seller told me he changed the clutch master/slave assy but the clutch still won't disengage. He said it would need a clutch change. What I don't understand is if you turn the key with the clutch pedal depressed, the car is fully engaged in gear. You can drive it up on car ramps with the starter. If the clutch was worn, wouldn't it just slip? I got under the car yesterday and found the slave cylinder line must have been too long because it was coiled into a ball to get around cutting it to the proper length. I put a clear rubber hose on the bleeder, with the other end in a bottle with brake fluid in the bottom to see when solid fluid would come out, and had my son pump the clutch pedal. When no air came out I closed the bleeder but the clutch still does not disengage. Could the coiled hyd line be the problem? I read somewhere about "reverse bleeding" where you pump brake fluid through the bleeder back through the system. Has anyone dealt with that form of bleeding? do you have to disconnect the fitting at the master cylinder or will fluid flow back into the reservoir? I'm in the process of putting together a reverse bleeder to try. Any help would be appreciated.

quirt61 · 05-09-2012, 06:49 PM

Have I posted in the wrong forum? Is this post to complex or basic to warrant a response? It's hard to believe no one on this site has had to deal with a stuck clutch. Since posting this I picked up a Bentley manual which shed little light on the operation of this system. For the money spent it was a little disappointing to see the clutch blowup diagram components weren't labeled correctly. I was hoping for at least one other knuckledragger who'd crossed this problem before and could shed some light on the problem.

AudiMick · 05-10-2012, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quirt61

Have I posted in the wrong forum? Is this post to complex or basic to warrant a response? It's hard to believe no one on this site has had to deal with a stuck clutch. Since posting this I picked up a Bentley manual which shed little light on the operation of this system. For the money spent it was a little disappointing to see the clutch blowup diagram components weren't labeled correctly. I was hoping for at least one other knuckledragger who'd crossed this problem before and could shed some light on the problem.

This site has been very quiet since the "changes" . A lot of people went to the "other " site "****, kawf".

Clutches can fail in other ways than just slipping.

Possibly your clutch fork broke, the center plate broke or the DMF disintegrated. It's 15 years old. Get someone to push the clutch watch the slave see if it moves, if it does then your problem is inside if not then look for a master cylinder problem.

4Driver4 · 05-10-2012, 06:40 AM

How does the pedal feel? How long was the car parked (disk rusted to the flywheel)?

I would not reverse bleed anything. If you have clear fluid, you are good.

Clutch line comes coiled from the factory.

morpheousx · 05-10-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Driver4

How does the pedal feel? How long was the car parked (disk rusted to the flywheel)?

I would not reverse bleed anything. If you have clear fluid, you are good.

Clutch line comes coiled from the factory.

I suggest you guys bail from this site,Audiforums.com is way more active,we could use you guys on the B5 threads on Audi forums.

This site just doesn't have enough,traffic and knowledgeable users as Audiforums.

Come AudiMick,4Driver4... ^_^

quirt61 · 05-10-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Driver4

How does the pedal feel? How long was the car parked (disk rusted to the flywheel)?

I would not reverse bleed anything. If you have clear fluid, you are good.

Clutch line comes coiled from the factory.

4Driver4 - The pedal feels like there's only a return spring hooked up to it. No difference in pressure felt all the way to the floor. The seller drove the car from RI to CT in Feb of this year. My old backhoe had the clutch stuck to the flywheel this spring and it took running it around a little with the clutch depressed to free it up. I thought about that possibilty with this car, but after just two months of sitting? Seems like an awful short time for something to rust up.

AudiMick - Do clutch forks break on these cars? I've never had a clutch fork break on the domestic side. If the center plate broke, wouldn't there be an awful racket when you try to move the car in gear? As far as the DMF, I've never seen/dealt with one. But again, wouldn't that be making all kinds of noise just running the engine in neutral? I'll try your advice on watching the slave while my son pushes the pedal.

Thanks for responding guys. I know my questions seem basic. I come from a lot heavier drivetrains (sprinters, midgets, stock cars) and I'm trying to transition from brutal to finesse without breaking anything.

4Driver4 · 05-10-2012, 03:45 PM

I'd bleed it some more to verify that bubbles are gone. It does not take much to cause issues. If no bubbles, you probably have a clutch problem.

05-10-2012, 06:40 AM	#4
4Driver4 Tech Guru Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 32,298	How does the pedal feel? How long was the car parked (disk rusted to the flywheel)? I would not reverse bleed anything. If you have clear fluid, you are good. Clutch line comes coiled from the factory. __________________ 4Driver4 "Never give up the throttle until the bitter end." -RC 2005 A6 Sedan Q 3.2 (wife's whip) 2000 A4 Avant Q 2.8 (daily driver) 2003 Mini Cooper S (Fun!) 1995 Mazda Miata: the anti-Audi 1999 Mazda Miata SSB: track beotch 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL: the anti-earth 2004 Dodge Dakota: hey, at least it's stick and 4x4

05-10-2012, 03:45 PM	#7
4Driver4 Tech Guru Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 32,298	I'd bleed it some more to verify that bubbles are gone. It does not take much to cause issues. If no bubbles, you probably have a clutch problem. __________________ 4Driver4 "Never give up the throttle until the bitter end." -RC 2005 A6 Sedan Q 3.2 (wife's whip) 2000 A4 Avant Q 2.8 (daily driver) 2003 Mini Cooper S (Fun!) 1995 Mazda Miata: the anti-Audi 1999 Mazda Miata SSB: track beotch 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL: the anti-earth 2004 Dodge Dakota: hey, at least it's stick and 4x4

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Welcome to AudiWorld!
		Welcome to AudiWorld.com. You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join AudiWorld.com today!

05-09-2012, 06:49 PM	#2
quirt61 AudiWorld Newcomer Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8	Have I posted in the wrong forum? Is this post to complex or basic to warrant a response? It's hard to believe no one on this site has had to deal with a stuck clutch. Since posting this I picked up a Bentley manual which shed little light on the operation of this system. For the money spent it was a little disappointing to see the clutch blowup diagram components weren't labeled correctly. I was hoping for at least one other knuckledragger who'd crossed this problem before and could shed some light on the problem.