2.5 years and 4 clutches. Soon will need another. My Puma

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Originally Posted by flagg

What has been failing with the clutch? is it evenly warn out? or damaged in anyway? Could it be that it is out of adjustment and slipping which is wearing it out prematurely?

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Unlike the previous ones this clutch still pulls fine, apart from the (now) very rare times where it will fade briefly.
What is happening is I get a rattling/clunking sound when the car is idleing in neutral with the clutch up. When I depress the clutch and hold it down the sound disappears. Lift the foot and the sound comes back.
I believe it is the clutch because a very knowledgable bloke who fixes them for a living suggests it is although he hasn't head it himself yet. I have also found plenty of online references to the identical issue which turn out to be the clutch. I have not seen the clutch itself so cannot comment on wear etc. It may be out of alignment but if so it hasnt been picked up before this when they were replaced.

Hey Newhue. My defender is now out of warranty but as the clutch is not old it will still be covered.

My understanding is that there has been at least three (if not more) designs of the Puma clutch overtime.

Rattling/broken springs are the most common fault I have heard of - seems fairly routine.

Sounds like your issue is something more than just the clutch itself - mine's done 80k and is still going strong. Not trying to rub it in - just an indicator that the standard clutch is capable of reasonable mileage.

PS I've heard about some of the Jap owners replacing their dual mass setups due to reliability issue, so that might not be the ideal solution.

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Originally Posted by stig0000

oh dear, its never the drivers fualt??? :(

sorry but 4 clutchs in 2 yrs,,, thats stuped, yes the puma clutch is ****,, but not that bad, and im sure the dealer ant that stuped to just fit a new clutch with out looking at what was wrong, most iv seen is 2 in one car and that was from it been thrashed,

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Not helpful. The blokes just asking for help, not to be judged.
Regards
Robbo.

It would be nice to know what part of the clutch is failing. If it's the "anti-rattle" springs it could be something weird like rough idle, bad engine/gearbox mounts. I know first hand there were issues with the earlier clutches, but my 2010 110 has done 75k kms without a issue, (as above, not to rub it in).

Would be interesting to know if the 3.2 TDCi clutch, (from the Transit/Ranger) would fit, but I guess if this was the case the UK owners would be doing it.

Cheers,

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Originally Posted by TimNZ

It would be nice to know what part of the clutch is failing. If it's the "anti-rattle" springs it could be something weird like rough idle, bad engine/gearbox mounts. I know first hand there were issues with the earlier clutches, but my 2010 110 has done 75k kms without a issue, (as above, not to rub it in).

Would be interesting to know if the 3.2 TDCi clutch, (from the Transit/Ranger) would fit, but I guess if this was the case the UK owners would be doing it.

Cheers,

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This isn't a dig, but my pop had a problem with this 75 series Land Cruiser ute from new doing the same thing, it was due to him driving with the weight of his foot on the pedal, curious if it could be the same thing.

Also do you tow regularly, or back up trailers slowly etc?? If you do then low range will make the clutch last a lot longer although it sounds like your problems are not a worn clutch but a failing one...

Cheers
Will

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Originally Posted by MR LR jnr.

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Originally Posted by TimNZ

It would be nice to know what part of the clutch is failing. If it's the "anti-rattle" springs it could be something weird like rough idle, bad engine/gearbox mounts. I know first hand there were issues with the earlier clutches, but my 2010 110 has done 75k kms without a issue, (as above, not to rub it in).

Would be interesting to know if the 3.2 TDCi clutch, (from the Transit/Ranger) would fit, but I guess if this was the case the UK owners would be doing it.

Cheers,

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This isn't a dig, but my pop had a problem with this 75 series Land Cruiser ute from new doing the same thing, it was due to him driving with the weight of his foot on the pedal, curious if it could be the same thing.

Also do you tow regularly, or back up trailers slowly etc?? If you do then low range will make the clutch last a lot longer although it sounds like your problems are not a worn clutch but a failing one...

Cheers
Will

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Did you quote the post you meant to there Will?

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Originally Posted by MR LR jnr.

This isn't a dig, but my pop had a problem with this 75 series Land Cruiser ute from new doing the same thing, it was due to him driving with the weight of his foot on the pedal, curious if it could be the same thing.

Also do you tow regularly, or back up trailers slowly etc?? If you do then low range will make the clutch last a lot longer although it sounds like your problems are not a worn clutch but a failing one...

Cheers
Will

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Lots of clutch's are hot spotted from people doing just that,it also stuffs the throw out bearing.Lots of selector forks are worn through from people leaning on the stick as they drive. Pat

No clutch riding, no towing, no leaning on gear stick. I dont let anyone drive it but me because of the issues its had.

I live on a hill and use low range when reversing. I also actively look to find a park that doesnt require reversing if I can help it and one that leaves the front of the defender pointing downhill so in the morning I can pullaway from the curb without the need to use the clutch in ANY way that would stress it. As this is my fourth clutch I am more than a little paranoid about how the clutch gets used.

The comments about a rough engine idle match what my mechanic suggested and what I have found online and am wondering if this could be it. A bad EGR will make the car surge and run rough and in the last several weeks my EGR has again been rough and making a loud 'chucka chucka' sound when I turn the engine off. I cant remember how many times the EGR valve has now had to replaced due to failure, I think it's either 5 or 6.

If the clutch failures are due to a rough engine or rough (too low?) idleing, what is the solution? I understand the idle cannot be adjusted and after 5 to 6 EGR valve replacments I dont think a new one will fix the problem. If I do find a heavy duty clutch to replace the standard one wouldn't the problem then be passed on to something else in the drive train?

I sympathize with you with your plight, others have asked if its a driver issue and you have flatly rejected the suggestion.
Don't be too hasty and check yourself we all get it wrong sometimes.

That said lets say you are right and its nothing to do with you is there an alignment issue with the Bell-housing or something?
I recall some of the poorly made Holden conversion kits for series had the same problem.
I don't doubt that Land Rover could make a mistake and 5 clutches in the time you talk of indicate something is going on.