Thread: Clutch slipping under load?

One thing to check.........if the bung is in the drain hole at the bottom of the bellhousing, remove it to see if there is any oil pooling in the bottom. I had this problem with a leaky oil pump on the gearbox. I regularly check the bellhousing, but there was just enough oil pooling that a little was picked up on the clutch. It only slipped under heavy acceleration when pulling into a new gear, but it would cruise ok.
A leaky main seal would give the same result if the housing isn't drained occasionally.

Cheers, Murray

Also make sure there is some freeplay at the top of the clutch pedal travel.
There have been a few reports of incorrectly adjusted clutch master cylinders over the past few months, and IIRC some of those have been ex ADF ones.

I can't recall the actual measurement, but if you've got around 20mm of downwards movement in the pedal before you feel it start to harden up then you should be OK.

If not, what can happen is the master cylinder doesn't release fully, and the clutch will start to slowly build pressure in the system preventing the pressure plate from clamping fully. Eventually the clutch will start to slip.
As an emergency fix you can open the bleed nipple on the slave to release the pressure, but it will build up again (repeated clutch application and heat will accelerate the buildup). The fix is to adjust the master so it has sufficient freeplay.

Steve

As rigidij say - been there. The check whether this is the problem is to remove the wading plug in the bottom of the flywheel housing and see what comes out. A few drops, probably not the problem, half a cup, you've found the problem - box outand plan on removing the oil pump cover, lapping it flat and fitting a new gasket. And replace the clutch driven plate at least. While you are at it, you ought to replace the throwout bearing at least.

If the oil that comes out looks like engine rather than gearbox oil (i.e. black) plan on replacing the rear main seal while the box is out. It is unlikely you will need to replace the clutch pressure plate or get the flywheel skimmed unless it has been really abused.

If only a few drops come out, either someone has recently drained it, after the clutch was contaminated, or the problem is elsewhere, typically pushrod adjustment on the master cylinder.

John

Fit the turbo pressure plate.

Thanks guys i will remove the bung, and check to see if theres a heap of oil pouring out. I'm going to have to give it good wash underneath first, i bottomed out and got bogged and had to winch myself out, plenty of mud still under the car. (Fitst time i used the PTO winch, im glad it worked!)

Nothing worse than having dry dirt falling into your eyes whilest workng underneath a car..

I will let you all know how it goes..

Heres some pics of me coming out a that rut...


Hey dougal, whats the turbo pressure plate?

Heavier duty clutch pressure plate, has a higher clamping force on the clutch therefore less slippage.