Thread: Clutch fault, Dealer BS or not? non landy

My fathers car, also non LR, drives good when it cold or war, but if it gets hot from working hard the clutch jumps and judders in first and second. As fas as I know the clutch in it is good, just annoying.

He doesn't ride the clutch, nor do I.

hope the above helps you understand what going on.

riding the clutch causes it to heat, heat causes the face of the flywheel and pressure plate to change and wear leaving high spots. high spots cause judder.

so does a rear main and front gearbox oil seal

so does a failing friction plate

so does a failing pressure plate

so can poor clutch adjustment

they just dont want to do it as a warranty job and are feeding you a line.

there is no test I know of that can singularly proove which is causing it without removing the clutch.

Can also be caused by loose, broken or soft engine mounts. Again, nothing to do with the way the clutch is used.

John

G'day Hangover

You take the car in,and inform them that they could not in anyway know if the driver/drivers were riding the clutch without a visual inspection, and name the other possible causes as listed by Blknight.aus/JDNSW so that they get the impression that you have fairly good mechanical knowledge, and their claim that it can be judged without inspection "they are talking through their ears"

This is fairly standard fare for service depts when the warranty expiry time is near --and particularly if dealing with a woman


cheers

Take it to another dealer and get it checked, second opinion , warranty work doesn't pay, they are guided what the manufacturer says they should be paid

Originally Posted by HangOver

So here's the thing how could you possibly tell if someone was riding a clutch without visual inspection of the plate?

My previous car had a an inspection cover plate on the bell housing. However it was impossible to see the friction plate from it, only the clutch plate (which admittedly could be loosened or tightened should you want to do such a thing).

Riding the clutch could cause hot spots and hence discoloration of the flywheel, but I would be surprised if it would cause it to distort? Unless modern car flywheels are a lot thinner than the old days I suppose.

Another common cause of clutch judder is oil on the friction plate.

Ask them for a written report and let the service manager know that if your claim is rejected you will be getting a second opinion and if the two assessments differ you will refer the matter to the Dept of Consumer Protection.

Good luck.

Thanks for all the replies, I was pretty sure it was BS but good to get this stuff confirmed.

BTW as JDNSW mentioned the engine mounts are getting worn, I haven't visially inspected them but there is a very definate bump if you accelerate hard then pull your foot of the accelerator quickly btw it's front wheel drive.

don't know if they would be a warranty item though, I imagine they will use the fair wear and tear thing.

I'll take it in and get them to inspect it.
bit odd though 60k and the clutch and engine mounts going, not a great advert, but then its not a great car LOL

Defnitely dealer BS i think, what sort of car is it? How many km's has it done?