[shaunydub]

Got my car the other day but only just been out in because I had to get it taxed 1st and I have a couple of questions hI ope someone can help with.

1 - The clutch is weird - when you bring you foot up the bottom is hard, then the middle is soft and you foot goes up fast then you get too the top where it starts to bite and it goes hard agaon.
I have never experienced this anywhere before - is this usual for 216 or is something wrong with my clutch??

2 - There appears to be some sort of noise coming from the car - it's kind of like when you hear your brakes screech but happens when brakes are not being used. It only does it sometimes but if anyone could tell me if they have found this before and what it means it might put my mind at ease.

Thanks

 

[Obertelli]

If the clutch is biting right near the top of the pedal travel then something's possibly not quite right. Adjustment may be needed or possibly the linkage may be faulty. I say "linkage" as I don't remember whether this model has a cable operated or hydraulic clutch. Either way the cable may have stretched which means it may soon fail or the hydraulics need a look at.
Emphasis here on the word "may". Without trying your clutch myself and without knowing what you're comparing it to it could well be that there's nothing wrong.
Get the opinion of a knowledgeable friend, failing that you could get a free clutch check done at a specialist garage but some are a bit Arthur Daley and tell everyone that they need a new clutch! If you bought the car from a dealer then take it back for them to have a peek but it depends on whether we're talking reputable or back street dealer here!

The noise problem is not well enough described; do you have the noise all of the time except when braking? Where does the noise sound like it's coming from? Again, if you have the option of taking the car back to a dealer then try that first. A noise of that type is not normal but it could be caused by something stupidly minor and remedied at no cost or something more serious and expensive.

 

[shaunydub]

the noise is kind of like a high pitched screech or wailing. it sounds like it is coming from the engine area, it happens when driving or when stopped but only every now and then. It hasn't happened when I have had it running on the drive so I haven't been able to try and pin point it. I drove 15 miles today and hear it 3 times!!
regarding the clutch - i have just looked on http://www.xpart-allmakes.com/ and they list the 216 as having a cable so i might take to a garage and get it checked out this week as i am going from Bournemouth to Manchester to watch England on saturday and don't want the clutch to fail on the way.

I bought the car 2nd hand and only had a short drive in it and the screech noise did not occur then. I did notice the clutch thing but it didn't seem too bad it is only today when i have been around town it has started to annoy me as it is a bit troublesome when pulling off from a standstill.

 

[Obertelli]

Again there are a few possible causes for the noise but most commonly this is caused by a slipping drive belt (alternator/power steering/air con). Check the tension on those first and go from there. A Haynes manual will have the correct figures, or you could pay the garage extra to check/adjust/replace (if necessary) these for you when they look at the clutch cable.