Juddering clutch when pulling away from cold

[tomwoodis]

Hi all,

have noticed this a bit when the car is cold and I'm trying to pull away from a stationary start. Once up and running and the car is warm I don't really notice it and have never noticed whilst moving through the gears.

Car has now done 112k miles and could well be on the original clutch so I'm starting to think its just pure wear and tear but thought I'd just ask in case it might be related to something else or just be a typical quirk for an MX 5

Any thoughts?

[gd49]

Which model is it? The Mk 2.5s (and the Mk2s?) suffered from clutch judder with their original clutches, some were replaced under warranty but not all owners bothered.

[The Tea Boy]

gd49 said:

Which model is it? The Mk 2.5s (and the Mk2s?) suffered from clutch judder with their original clutches, some were replaced under warranty but not all owners bothered.

Intresting, my 2003 mk2.5 judders when pulling off quite alot, and also sometimes in reverse!

Matt

[Aizle]

The Tea Boy said:

Intresting, my 2003 mk2.5 judders when pulling off quite alot, and also sometimes in reverse!

Matt

Mine too.......

[TVR MAN]

Yeah my 2001 mk2.5 does it too. I don't really mind though as it isn't too bad or very regular.

See here for more details: http://www.miata.net/garage/tsb/sb05-001.03.html

[LukeBird]

Mine does as well, I'm sure it's getting worse!

[Riknos]

Just to add; my '94 pulls away lovely

[MX-5 Lazza]

Riknos said:

Just to add; my '94 pulls away lovely

So does my 2001 Mk2.5

When I first bought it at just under 3 years old it had horrible clutch judder so I called Mazda UK (by passed the dealer network) and they agreed to get it fixed FOC for me. It was done at my local dealer and it was sorted 1st time! I don't know what clutch they fitted but it's still in there and still working fine despite my best efforts to destroy it with 200lb/ft of torque on road/track/drag strip over the last 7 years

[Richyvrlimited]

Mine does it too, you can stop it happening for a bit by putting it in 5th gear whilst stationary and taking the car to 4-5k and lifting the clutch.

I.e. Slipping it a LOT.

It'll stink and the clutch will feel weird for a day or so but after that it's fine and won't judder for a good 3 weeks.

Unfortunately the only permanent fit is a new clutch...

[MX-5 Lazza]

That didn't really work with the Mk2.5 clutch judder as that was caused by the clutch plate friction material used rather than just a build-up on the flywheel.

[Richyvrlimited]

MX-5 Lazza said:

That didn't really work with the Mk2.5 clutch judder as that was caused by the clutch plate friction material used rather than just a build-up on the flywheel.

Worked on mine... but like I said it's a short term effect anyway and will kill the life of your clutch.

As for the poster saying his 94 doesn't judder, well yeah it's a 2001+ problem!

[furtive]

Just to add mine does it too and it's worse in the cold weather for some reason, and it also seems worse the next time I drive the car after a hard run

[tomwoodis]

Thanks for the spate of replies.

Mine happens to be a MK1 on a '95 plate so perhaps my clutch has just had it generally.

It only really seems to happen for the first part of a journey and then seems to dissapear so perhaps there is some moisture getting in somewhere that is causing it slip a bit until it warms up?

[Munter]

Does it "squeek" when you let the clutch up? Could it be oil from the rear main seal?

[tomwoodis]

Not that i've noticed, could well be something like that though I suppose.

[83AndyJ]

My Mk2.5s suffers "the judder". I find a generous dose of revs puts it to rights. I hope that continues to solve the problem.

Lazza, did you have much trouble convincing Mazda to do the replacement? Would be nice to get mine sorted properly

[MX-5 Lazza]

83AndyJ said:

Lazza, did you have much trouble convincing Mazda to do the replacement? Would be nice to get mine sorted properly

Nope, Mazda UK admited to the problem right away and didn't even ask for confirmation that it was an issue. I think I was lucky and just talked to the right person the right way at the right time
My car was just about in warranty though - I think you'd be incredibly lucky to get them to do it as a warranty issue after all these years!

[83AndyJ]

Yeah I thought the warranty would be a issue.

Cheers though