Clutch Issues.... Burnt Out 2 Bearings !!!

[cosmicsnot]

Hi there, ok.... long story short, I was given my brothers MK4 Golf 25th Anniversary with a knackered engine... went at 240k... got new bare engine, transferred all the ancillaries over, clutch, fly wheel etc (which are only 6 months old...) put engine back in car and after 5 mins of running a loud squeal came from the clutch area and then smoke bellowed out the inspection hole where you can see the fly wheel... took engine back out again, removed gearbox and found the concentric release bearing had melted... got a new one, fitted it, put engine back in, got it running and all was fine.... for about 5 mins... took it round the block for a quick run and when I got back home smoke was coming from under the bonnet, opened it and found smoke coming from the inspection hole again... not as much as last time so thought it might just be remains of clutch fluid from last time it went... but then the squealing started again so just turned engine off.... looks like the engine will have to come out for the third time to inspect this bearing.... am I doing something wrong here ???? 2 bearings after I got my hands on it ????

Please Help !!!!

Thanks Craig

Edited by cosmicsnot on Wednesday 5th November 20:06

[Spangles]

Clutch plate the right way round?

[Spangles]

Clutch plate the right way round?

[cosmicsnot]

Hi there, this is the only thing I can think of being wrong... I wasn't the one who put the clutch and flywheel on so this is a possibility.... had a busy weekend so not had a chance to look.... will hopefully get it done this week.... I'm praying this is the fault !!!!

Thanks for your help..

Craig

[mybrainhurts]

cosmicsnot said:

Hi there, ok.... long story short,

The long one must have been a bit of a pain...

[cosmicsnot]

If I'd put the long one up, I'd think people would have got bored half way through it and not left me any feedback....

[cosmicsnot]

Hi all..... ok, got engine back out tonight, took gearbox off and this bearing is exactly the same as the original..... the clutch plate was in the right way, it wouldn't fit together the wrong way round.... I don't have a clue what to do next... don't want to put back together again and damage yet another bearing.... Can anyone help ????

Thanks Craig

[SuperchargedVR6]

Are they genuine VW bearings and the right one for the engine / gearbox? Is the bearing bolted down properly and not running out of alignment?

[cosmicsnot]

Hello.... No, they are not genuine parts... Not sure what make the one I took out was, but the one I put back in was "Sachs"

Got everything apart and it seems to me that there is too much pressure being put on the bearing when its in the closed position (foot off the clutch) as it's heating up badly and melting it. I'm wondering if the Clutch Release Plate could be faulty ??? Its not a "SAC" (self adjusting clutch) its just conventional, so when I've removed the clutch off the original engine and replaced it on the new one could the fingers on the plate be sticking out too far ??? When the bearing melts and seizes up the squeeling is the bearing case scoring the fingers on the plate.

The metal plate that goes between the engine and gearbox is fitted so cant be the box going on too far.

Every part of the Clutch, Flywheel, Bearing, Bolts etc. were checked and checked again on installation, and then again when stripping it down.... Nothing was found to be wrong.

Flywheel, perfectly straight and torqued up.
Clutch Disc, perfectly aligned and sitting true.
Release Plate, Sitting correctly on dowels, bolted down and torqued up.

Even the gearbox went on without a hitch and bolted up perfectly...

Starting to get a little annoyed with it now.... Guess the only thing I can do is get a replacement clutch and try it ????

Thanks Craig

[mybrainhurts]

It might be better if you ask in the engines & drivetrains forum.

[cosmicsnot]

Hi... so i just decided to replace everything... New slave cylinder in the clutch pedal, feed pipe from the pedal to the concentric bearing, concentric bearing and clutch.... surely this should fix the problem.... it can't be anything else !!! got engine and box back in car on Sunday, will hopefully have it up and running buy this weekend.... will let you know how it goes...

Fingers Crossed !!

Thanks for the help lads

Craig