VW T4 clutch slave cylinder failure

[canvaswind]

I have a small motorhome based on a 1997 VW Transporter (T4 - 102 BHP with Intercooler) now with 26500 genuine miles on the clock. Two years ago, the internal clutch slave cylinder was replaced due to a small hydraulic leak. In August 2008 and 6000 miles later, the replaced cylinder (made by Sachs) failed costing £600 to be fixed! The van is always moved at least once a month and never stored for an extended period.

Can anybody offer any reason for this premature failure and does this version of the VW T4 have a history of slave cylinder failure? Have any members experienced the same problem?

 

[colin]

Looks like theres not too many T4 owners about!

I'm not to familier with the T4 so am intrigued as to why it costs £600 to replace the clutch slave cylinder, I note you say 'internal clutch slave cylinder' does the clutch housing need to be removed to get to it?

[Derek Uzzell]

canvaswind:

 

You might try repeating your inquiry on the Motorhome Matters forum-section but, for a useful answer, it really requires specialist knowledge.

 

You haven't said what the recent failure involved - did the latest cylinder's seals also begin to leak, or what? Your motorhome is more than a decade old and, if its hydraulic fluid hasn't been changed regularly, there's the possibility that water in the fluid has caused the cylinder's internals to corrode. But that's just uninformed guesswork.

 

I think your best bet would be to seek advice on a VW-related forum such as:

 

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/

 

 

[Rainbow-Chasers]

T4 does suffer with general box problems! The clutch slave cylinder is located within the bell housing, so involves the removal of the gearbox. This is common on many modern cars! Gone are the days when they were easily accessible in the engine bay.

 

As for the gearbox - don't worry too much, because of the nature of it being a motorhome, it won't do excessive mileage. BUT, the gearbox can be either a leisure gearbox, or a commercial gearbox. The leisure is fitted to caravelles and the like, commercial to the vans. What is in a motorhome conversion is anybodys' guess!!

 

The commercial is the better one, the leisure is actually built with a life expectancy of 60,000 miles! My brother runs a fleet of caravelles, and they blow them almost to the nearest mile. You will be looking at £2500 for a replacement.

 

When your home gets to around 50k sell her on, trade in, upgrade but do part with it just in case! :-D

[canvaswind]

Thanks for your reply. I can only assume that the fluid was changed when the first cylinder failed (2006) - as for the second cylinder failure (2008), it would appear that the failure was internal, presumeably the seal, but it happened very quickly! All attempts to find an explanation are met by "what can you expect from a vehicle that only does 3K miles p.a?"

[breakaleg]

It could just be that the replacement was faulty as well, thats my sort of luck.

pete

[onecal]

Hi Rob,

Sorry to hear about your problem. I do come across this and it is down to the hydraulic fluid not being changed. For the clutch it should be bleed every Year regardless of mileage esp' low mileage motorhomes. The brakes "same fluid" every Two Years regardless of mileage.

I service some transporters T 4 with 100,000 miles and more one just back from France with 164,000 miles on the clock with no problems with clutch cylinder or gearbox failures. Motorhome gearboxs "02G" on 2.5 TDI.

The gearbox oil should be changed at 60,000 with a "Synthetic Oil G 50 SAE 75W90 or every 4 years regardless of mileage.

Hope this helps, I would not get rid of your VW just yet some other models have much bigger problems.

Regards,

Brendan.

[canvaswind]

Hi Brendan

Thanks very much for your comments. I will pass them on to the garage when it is next serviced. I was hoping for some compensation from the parts supplier and garage that carried out the 2006 cylinder change but no luck!

Rob

[onecal]

Hi rob,

Glad to be able to help. Regarding getting help from the garage or suppliers I am afraid you will have to rely on there goodwill. Hydraulic fluid absorbs water over a period of time and in our part of the world it needs to be changed often. Always use a good quality fluid from a sealed new container

Regards,

Brendan.

[Rod_vw]

As a reply to 'Rainbow-Chasers' observations on VW T4 gearboxes...

 

'My brother runs a fleet of caravelles, and they blow them almost to the nearest mile. You will be looking at £2500 for a replacement. '

 

May I respectfully suggest that there are two common denominators in this observation, the T4 and your brother's drivers. Having owned three T4s and covered pushing 300,000 miles in them plus having frequented the VW T4 Forum ( www.vwt4forum.co.uk ) for a considerable time I suspect the latter over the former.

 

Rod.

 

[onecal]

Hi ,

Keep them serviced and they will give you good service in return.

Regards,

Brendan