If you suspect air/bleeding is the problem, something that works on both hydraulic clutches and brakes is to sidestep the pedal at maximum depression when bleeding, so it comes up with a bang.
I had to use the trick most recently with a TD5 Defender which had the master cylinder replaced under guarantee and symptoms much as you describe. The dealer had returned the vehicle to me patently not right, I fixed it, and when I complained I had to do work to make it drivable - offered to take it back for more bleeding. But rather pointless as I had made it clear, I'd done the job they should have done!
I'd have hoped any time served mechanic would be aware that bleeding some hydraulic systems is a bit of a fight and to know the various tricks that can be used. Evidently not!
Last edited by Martyn Culling; 05/07/15 02:46 PM. Reason: bit of clarification
