Clutch Issues PLEASE HELP ME
Hi all!
I own a 2017 Zetec with about 35000 miles on it. Been having some problems lately.
I got the clutch replaced in Feb of this year - first car so it was bound to happen. Since then when starting the car, the clutch bite (this would happen occasionally btw) would become extremely low and gear would get stuck in place. Car would then stall and I would have to restart engine for it to work.
Moving on a few months to May / June. Every time I started the car, the bite would be extremely low. The bite would also become extremely low when driving or moving into higher gears. The past month it has been a nightmare to the point where I haven’t been able to drive it. When driving, it has stalled in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. The bite has become extremely low and the car starts moving on its own even with the clutch fully compressed. When driving, not only do I have to restart the engine (so dangerous when on high speed roads) as well as the clutch has lost all hydraulic pressure. Pumping the clutch usually solves the issue for one gear change then it has problems again.
I had some mobile mechanics come in a week ago just to tell me that the person who did my clutch did not bleed the system properly. They then bled the system. £150. I took the car out and it immediately started having issues. I park it, do my thing, then come back to my car to find a leak underneath. I tried to get this car home but it had a complete hydraulic failure - clutch lost all pressure and was persistently stalling without me even changing into gears above first. I had to get the car recovered!!!
Same mechanics came in two days ago and told me AGAIN that they just needed to bleed the system. I was absolutely persistent that it wasn’t going to help and was disgustingly gaslit into being told that it was fine. They also told me that the leak was just AC fluid?? Wtf guys. The fluid has literally left a stain on my driveway. It was driving fine when they tested it but I knew something was off. I suspect it’s a cylinder issue. Anyhoo. No fluid is leaking now so even a cylinder issue could be wrong. I took it out today and really struggled getting it home. It was having the exact same symptoms as before but drove fine for the first two miles.
I’ve called for a different mechanic to come today but I guess I’m asking advice on what it could potentially be and how to advocate for myself. I’m a woman and I don’t think they take me seriously. It’s fucked. I’ve told them twice now that bleeding it won’t help and they then turn around, bleed it and tell me that I need to be more confident with my car. Please for the love of god someone help me. I depend on this car for everything and I’ve been messed about so much for weeks.
Thank you!!!!