Discussion
The usual reason for it slipping is that it is not quite capable of taking full torque from the engine. Sometimes if it's marginal it will just shift slightly under the pulsing torque from the engine rather than obviously slip and let the engine spin up. A way to tell whether this may be a problem is to pull away firmly and see how positively the clutch pulls the engine revs down if you engage it quickly. The clutch should pull the engine revs down promptly with a jolt even with full throttle on, but if the engine revs take a while to drop down and it feels as if the clutch is barely overcoming the engine torque, you have a problem. This isn't a test that you want to do very often since it is moderately hard on the clutch, but is OK just to see if there's a problem.
The other symptom is a burning smell if you accelerate hard through the power band in top gear.
The other symptom is a burning smell if you accelerate hard through the power band in top gear.
_Neal_ said:
Harsh. In my experience with a powerful FWD car (modded Fiat Coupe Turbo - owned by a friend) it can be difficult to tell, if you're testing by say, booting at in a high gear and looking for the revs flaring up. On a rwd car it'd be easier to feel.
But in a FWD car when the drive wheels slip the steering judders fairly dramatically. I regularly drive a FWD car in greasy conditions and wheel slip is instantly recognisable. Happens to be the clutch is (slowly) going in it and it's very, very different.
drive at about 30 mph in 4th Gear. Accelerate firmly and then 'dip' the clutch (ie a quick push ahd release) rapidly whilst keeping the loud pedal down. one of the following will occur:
- the revs will rise as the clutch goes down and then drop as the clutch is reapplied
- The revs stay up or drop very slowly - your clutch is past its best and don't go repeating this test you will need a recovery vehcile
- the revs stay up and the wheels spins massively - in this case you are in a car way way way in excess of your ablities given this question - buy a metro
- the revs will rise as the clutch goes down and then drop as the clutch is reapplied
- The revs stay up or drop very slowly - your clutch is past its best and don't go repeating this test you will need a recovery vehcile
- the revs stay up and the wheels spins massively - in this case you are in a car way way way in excess of your ablities given this question - buy a metro
Edited by balls-out on Friday 15th February 16:41
crisisjez said:
Very helpful and `advanced` comment.
Well done, i`m sure the op will value your input.
Perhaps he will since I have told him how to tell whether he has clutch slip. Well done, i`m sure the op will value your input.
He only commented later that he couldn't tell whether it was clutch slip or wheel spin. The difference is very important and I wouldn't expect any competent driver to have trouble telling them apart. If you can't tell the difference you should NOT imo be driving the car like that since one problem will destroy the clutch and leave you stranded, the other may result in losing control of the vehicle.
best way if you drive a seat diesel cupra to see if you have clutch slip is the following:
have you paid £900 plus fitting for Sachs clutch, no the it'll be clutch slip all the way
before any seat owners shout at me yes i own one (have had three) and they all have had clutch slip within 9k miles.
but seriously put in high gear (5th or 6th) get engine to peak horsepower or torque depending on type of engine, boot it, if revs rapidly rise, then stay stationary for a second or two then rise again at normal slower rate you have clutch slip.
have you paid £900 plus fitting for Sachs clutch, no the it'll be clutch slip all the way
before any seat owners shout at me yes i own one (have had three) and they all have had clutch slip within 9k miles.
but seriously put in high gear (5th or 6th) get engine to peak horsepower or torque depending on type of engine, boot it, if revs rapidly rise, then stay stationary for a second or two then rise again at normal slower rate you have clutch slip.
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff