Ford Fiesta Clutch problem

[hostman]

Hi,

I've today suffered a problem with my 1.4 Ford Fiesta Zetec, 05 plate, 33000 miles.

Driving along on a dual carriageway in 4th, about to go into 5th, but it wouldn't go into gear. I try 4th again but nothing, at this point I'm slowing down with no way to accelerate, move into lane 1 in anticipation of pulling over. Try 3rd, nothing. The engine is still running, but I'm not able to get any gears.

Hazards go on and I get over as far as I can. I'm moving slow enough to try 1st, very very hard to get into gear, revs go wild, I put it back into neutral and come to a stop. Turn engine off, back on, try 1st, won't go in.

I get out and call breakdown. After about 30 minutes of waiting for the recovery truck (no complaints at the speed they came out, that's all fine), the man tries it and is now able to get into 1st, albeit almost breaking the gear stick.

I get taken on the recovery truck to a local garage I've used in the past for services, tyres etc. The garage owner says the clutch "isn't clearing properly". I'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagine so I don't know what this entails. We look in the service portfolio and its still under warranty, with five months left to run. He reckons they should repair it under warranty, as its not a burnt out clutch, caused by excessive wear and tear but seems like a premature mechanical failure of the clutch.

I'm just about able to drive it to the Ford dealership. Taking it very easy, even though every sodding light on my way turned red and I'm sat there wondering if the thing will seize up.

So its at the ford garage now, awaiting inspection and hopefully a full repair under warranty.

Does anyone on here have any theories about the problem and also the likelihood Ford will be willing to repair it under warranty?

[Jon GT2]

If it is a mechanical faliure it will be covered under warranty.

[hostman]

Jon GT2 said:

If it is a mechanical faliure it will be covered under warranty.

Hi,

Are they likely to try and claim its excessive wear and tear to get out of it? If they do, should I arrange an independent garage to check it over?

[Jon GT2]

Is it a driving school vehicle?If not it sounds like premature wear or defect which should be ok for warranty but yes if you end up in dispute you will need an independant auto engineer to inspect it.

[hostman]

Jon GT2 said:

Is it a driving school vehicle?If not it sounds like premature wear or defect which should be ok for warranty but yes if you end up in dispute you will need an independent auto engineer to inspect it.

Nope, its not a driving school vehicle.

It had just over 9000 miles when I bought it in January 2006 from the local Hartwell Ford Dealership. Previously owned by Enterprise, the car hire outfit. So maybe that's just as bad as a vehicle school

However its been perfect up to this point, I've added 25k miles to it this far.

[Matthew-TMM]

I assume it will have a hydraulically operated clutch, in which case it sounds like perhaps there's a leak/air/both in the system meaning the clutch can't disengage properly. Forcing it into gear the way the recovery bloke sounds like he did under such circumstances isn't going to be that great for the synchromesh either.

When it's in gear does pressing the clutch pedal all the way to the floor disengage the drive or would it stall if you stopped with the clutch pedal on the floor with the car in gear?

[hostman]

Matthew-TMM said:

When it's in gear does pressing the clutch pedal all the way to the floor disengage the drive or would it stall if you stopped with the clutch pedal on the floor with the car in gear?

It didnt stall while I was stopped at the road side. But it did stall at the local garage when the mechanic sat in it and gave it a go. 40 mins after originally being forced to stop I was able to drive it from the local garage to the Ford dealership though. Albeit as bad as a 98 year old blind learner on crack.

[Jon GT2]

Hydraulic faliure does sound possible.

[Matthew-TMM]

hostman said:

Matthew-TMM said:

When it's in gear does pressing the clutch pedal all the way to the floor disengage the drive or would it stall if you stopped with the clutch pedal on the floor with the car in gear?

It didnt stall while I was stopped at the road side. But it did stall at the local garage when the mechanic sat in it and gave it a go. 40 mins after originally being forced to stop I was able to drive it from the local garage to the Ford dealership though. Albeit as bad as a 98 year old blind learner on crack.

As I read your first post I think that you had it in neutral while you were stopped at the side of the road though?

[hostman]

Matthew-TMM said:

hostman said:

Matthew-TMM said:

When it's in gear does pressing the clutch pedal all the way to the floor disengage the drive or would it stall if you stopped with the clutch pedal on the floor with the car in gear?

It didnt stall while I was stopped at the road side. But it did stall at the local garage when the mechanic sat in it and gave it a go. 40 mins after originally being forced to stop I was able to drive it from the local garage to the Ford dealership though. Albeit as bad as a 98 year old blind learner on crack.

As I read your first post I think that you had it in neutral while you were stopped at the side of the road though?

I did try 1st gear while stopped, but I didn't leave it in for any length of time.

[hostman]

Ford have looked at it today and in their infinite wisdom its a worn out clutch and therefore not covered under warranty (suprise suprise). Would a clutch suddenly fail, with no prior problems but still be caused by a "worn out clutch"?

They wanted £500 to repair it. I said I can get that cheaper from my local garage, they said what about £400, no, still too much. So I've picked the car up and taken it to my local garage who should have it sorted out by Friday, for a lot less than Ford.

The mechanic at the local garage still maintains its unlikely to be a worn out clutch.

[Jon GT2]

Did the dealer remove the gearbox?

[hostman]

Jon GT2 said:

Did the dealer remove the gearbox?

Said they did and charged me £42 + VAT for the privilege. This wouldn't have been chargeable if it was a fault covered under warranty.

Interestingly it was OK for the first mile driving to my local garage but then quickly became difficult getting into gear after that.

[hostman]

I've spoken to the local garage 15 minutes ago and they've made progress on the car. They've replaced the clutch and say it will be ready by lunch tomorrow.

They also say in their view the clutch is broken and can clearly see where it is broken and Ford should not be saying its worn.

They'll give me the clutch back tomorrow to take to ford and attempt to recoup some costs from the dealership.

Does anyone have any tips on achieving this?

If all else fails I'll contact the local radio station who have a consumer helpline, this sort of issue often crops up whenever I listen to it.

Edited by hostman on Thursday 1st November 16:47

[Jon GT2]

If it is a manufacturing defect the dealer can make a subcontract claim on your behalf,where they claim the money back the repair has cost.Dont expect to see any money though until Ford settle the claim assuming they accept manufacturing defect.

[hostman]

Jon GT2 said:

If it is a manufacturing defect the dealer can make a subcontract claim on your behalf,where they claim the money back the repair has cost.Dont expect to see any money though until Ford settle the claim assuming they accept manufacturing defect.

Thanks for your responses Jon.

How are the dealership likely to react when I turn up tomorrow afternoon with a clutch, a repair bill and say "look its broken, not worn"?

[Jon GT2]

Difficult to say sorry matey it does depend to some extent on the dealer but if its an obvious manufacturing defect there shouldn't be an issue.
Customer services telephone number is 0845 8411111 if you need it.
Glad to be of help.

[hostman]

I got the car back today from the local garage along with the clutch parts they took out.

£417 including VAT, parts and labour to do the job (still cheaper than what Ford quoted).

I've been to the Ford dealership with my oily dirty clutch to show them what the garage showed me, there is a piece of metal snapped off.

As shown here:

How it should be: http://www.uh-hosting.co.uk/james/buggered-clutch/IMG_0350.jpg 
The bit at fault: http://www.uh-hosting.co.uk/james/buggered-clutch/IMG_0351.jpg 

One of their warranty mechanics comes out to take a look and immediately says that would be covered under warranty.

They said come in on Tuesday when the manager is there and we'll see how to proceed.

The current bill stands at £466.49, including the repair work at the local garage and the £49.95 Ford charged me to look at it back on Wednesday after they claimed it wasn't under warranty.

If they refuse to pay its simple, small claims court. They have outright tried to deceive me for profit.

[Jon GT2]

The first thing the dealer has to do is submit a warranty claim for a subcontract repair,it is quite likey that Ford will request the old clutch back to have a look at it and go from there.As far as the dealer goes try and be calm and make your point(I would write some notes before you go so that you dont forget anything)see what they have to say and whether it makes sense,everybody makes mistakes and i always find its best to assume that is what has happened before assuming anything else.drop me a PM and let me know how you get on.

[hostman]

Jon GT2 said:

The first thing the dealer has to do is submit a warranty claim for a subcontract repair,it is quite likey that Ford will request the old clutch back to have a look at it and go from there.As far as the dealer goes try and be calm and make your point(I would write some notes before you go so that you dont forget anything)see what they have to say and whether it makes sense,everybody makes mistakes and i always find its best to assume that is what has happened before assuming anything else.drop me a PM and let me know how you get on.

I'll be calm and confident. No good for anyone flying off the handle

I'll let you know how I get on, cheers Jon.