Does anyone know of a car mechanic who in their own time could repair the clutch on my Renault Clio which is stuck in a car park in Verbier? I understand it may take a couple of hours but I cannot afford the swiss garage prices. Thanks
Only air-cooled VWs, and american muscle cars, can have a cluch replaced without one. I've done both, many times, with just a floor jack and jack stands, but a FWD car need the engine hoist (or a tree, done that too).
For personal reasons I really do need to keep the car going for as long as possible, UK repair for the diagnosed problem circa £200. In Ch repair cost is 1,000Chf . Fault has been analysed. Thanks for your advice it is appreciated.
You should be able to drive it without the clutch. Start it in 1st gear. Then with carefull timing you can switch gears without using the clutch. Done it myself on occasion. Be sure to put it neutral at stop signs (red lights) and turn the motor off before restarting. Usually, the cause is the hydrolic system (simular the breaks). It could be the master or slave unit or just a leak in the hose between them. Take the cover off the master unit and see if it has fluid. Push the clutch pedal and check for movement. If there is no movement of the slave unit and you just see fluid movement in the master unit, then its most likely the master unit. If so go to a scrap (junk) yard and get a replacement. Thats you cheapest bet.
"circa" 200 GBP is 300 CHF so 3.3 times more expensive - and I really doubt that a clutch can be replaced - at least paying VAT for parts and labour in GB for that.
you are right to an extent - Switzerland and everything in it isn't cheap - including us.
Indeed, I think this is the perfect opportunity to turn this thread into yet another one where ex-pats bitch about the prices - and yet don't just bugger off back to where they came from.
Thank you all for your considerable help and advice. I live most of the year in Switzerland and needed to use the car for the 3 months when back in the UK. Fortunately no car park charges. Advice re driving re clutch is really useful.
As I have said the car means a lot to me and not just for personal reasons.
A clutch replacement is not needed (analysed), I was hoping to find someone who could help me for cash in hand.
I love Switzerland it is just that most things seem to be more expensive than my Swiss salary covers.
I will get back to this forum with what it exactly is soonest.
Now is the time to tell the truth. I have just discovered from the vehicle owner that it was not a clutch fault as I had understood but an electrical part issue. Everything else I posted was correct I am trying to help a 22 yr old lad who is the son of my partner. He lives and works in Verbier.
It generally helps if you post the whole story when requesting help - that way you'll get a decent answer. Is this a "known" problem - IE one that you (or the vehicle owner or the son) has been aware of prior to failure? What exactly has failed? What is the 1000chf quote based on?
A "cheap" garage is still going to charge >100chf per hour, which may sound expensive in GBP, but that low price hasn't changed from 20 years ago, a time when a local mecahnic was charging £45 per hour.
If the car doesn't drive the mechanic my be quoting on collecting the car and towing it down to the garage and then fixing the problem.
The question that may effect people most on here though is whether it is a CH registered car - if not, and it is being used for extended periods in Switzerland I would question whether the insurance is valid.