clutch release bearing?

My 200 tdi has developed a "rattle" - only occasionally, when idling in neutral.

A friend heard it today and reckons it is the clutch release bearing.

He had a similar thing on an old escort van and ran it for 3 further years without problems.

What should or could I do? Whats the worst case?

I dont want to spend a lot if I can avoid it, nor do I want to do half a job.

I have had the truck 6 months and am still getting to know it, dont know how good the gearbox etc is either.

Any advice appreciated.

its a hell of a job to change it - so leave it until you have to - my main motors release bearing for over 3 years and 30K miles - no probs.

Does the rattle go when you put the clutch in? Thats what I have at the moment and I am told it is the release bearing... no rush on it but when I do get it sorted I will get the clutch and seals etc replaced while it is apart. Buy a genuine bearing not a cheap one.

yes it goes when I push the clutch in

I think I will wait for it to fail, if it ever does! and then bite the bullet and have a new clutch and anything alse that is wise to do at the same time

Thanks for all your advice