Clutch/Gearbox

[Julieannjones1]

Hi guys

Peugeot 206 cc 2.0 SE (52 plate) 79000 miles.

The car has been great since I had the immobiliser fault fixed, especially the warm days with the roof down.

A week ago we went camping with a big group of friends and family I sent all the camping equipment in my husbands car and in the 206 I transported myself, a friend and my two daughters both under 11 and in the boot was our clothes bags and towels. The car pulled fine with no power issues but a few miles into the journey the car struggled to engage 1st and 2nd gear and at one point point stopped engaging altogether. the only way I was able to pull off was to turn the car off, put it in first, turn the car back on and pull off!!

I had to do this for about an hour until i reached the in-laws half way there. A family friend took the car out on his own and the issue was not there. On reaching the campsite and meeting with my husband he took it out for a drive mainly using 1st, 2nd and 3rd and found no issue. the car was used for the whole weekend for a variety of uses and my husband drove it back home for the two hours with stuff in the boot, 3 passengers and the roof down and did not find one issue with getting it into any of the gears.

He stopped on various hills and conducted hill starts and he said there was no slipping or over-revving and it pulled fine!!

I know I did not imagine it, my friend who was in the car when it happened could not get it into gear either despite numerous attempts. My husband taught me to drive and has drilled it into me from day one never to ride the clutch and to always put a car into neutral when in traffic or waiting at lights and have always followed his advice.

Would the weight of the car have caused this? My husband and his friends were baffled and I am sure they thought I imagined it!

Anyone had similar experiences? Suggestions/advice would be very appreciated.

Apologies for the short novel, just wanted to get all the info in.

Julie xx

p.s there is and always has been a slight judder now and again when finding the bite, especially in reverse.

[Capncol]

May have first signs of clutch failure. Unfortunately not everyone is as kind as you (and hubby) to the clutch, and you may be inheriting the fruits of someone elses unsympathetic driving (previous owner)

You could also just experianced a *funny five minutes* with the car.
I've had that myself. I would live with it and see if it does it again as it may not do so..

[Julieannjones1]

Thanks for that, I'll wait on that one then. Just strange how it hasn't happened since.

Julie xx

[GrandadMonkey]

Maybe the hydraulic fluid hasn't been renewed regularly as it should have been. It is hygroscopic and if it got hot it could affect the clutch action as well as the brakes. The fluid should be changed every 2 or 3 years but it often gets overlooked. But as Capncol says at 11 years old and 79k the clutch could well be on its way out.