Clutch going after 800 miles ??!

[lordbluf]

Hi,

Got the clutch changed on the Murci about 8 weeks ago (800miles ago) and already i think there are signs of it going - is this a bad dream?
-when i put my foot down on the throttle relatively quickly the rev counter goes up circa 2000rpm before the speed goes up, so you get a loud rev before acceleration kicks in.
-Smell of clutch burning after driving and not because i've ridden the clutch and throttle at the same time or anything

I only drive a car at weekends and do notover use the clutch; no 'F1 starts' at traffic lights, or long periods of riding clutch (cant escape speed bumps), and no excessive reversing up 20 mile hills....etc.

Im checking the car into the garage later this week. If it needs a new clutch im not sure i can/want to afford to spend £3k every other month buying leerdammer cheese-esque clutches...

thoughts?

[cronk-flakes]

Is there not some kind of warranty or guarantee on the previous clutch? Surely if it only did 800 miles, this makes it not fit for purpose?

Granted my experiences have not been in the same league, but I would speak with whoever fitted the previous clutch.

[132]

In theory, it can go in a lot less than 800 miles. That said, in 'normal Lambo' use, it should last a lot longer than that...Take it back to the garage that fitted it and let us know what excuses they come up with...

Good luck.

[Lambomartin]

Was it a main dealer or an independent?

[MartyAM]

132 said:

In theory, it can go in a lot less than 800 miles. That said, in 'normal Lambo' use, it should last a lot longer than that...Take it back to the garage that fitted it and let us know what excuses they come up with...

Good luck.

There is a number of documented cases of issue with clutch life - the dealer should explain the exact issue. I'm aware of a few successful legal cases won by customers. We had a similar case put to us at AM regarding a Vanquish clutch going after 1 200 miles.

[:J:]

MartyAM said:

132 said:

In theory, it can go in a lot less than 800 miles. That said, in 'normal Lambo' use, it should last a lot longer than that...Take it back to the garage that fitted it and let us know what excuses they come up with...

Good luck.

We had a similar case put to us at AM regarding a Vanquish clutch going after 1 200 miles.

Whereabouts in AM do you work ?

[simonspider]

No disrespect but I despair reading threads like this. Assuming its not a problem with the clutch being incorrectly/badly fitted then how its gone after 800 miles is down to one factor - Driver Error or simply poor driving technique considering its a Lambo..

Without trumpeting it one of my Murcies has done 165,000 miles on 5 clutchs - an average of over 30,000 miles each. Each clutch has suffered 100's of different drivers with my road driving inbetween.
However - there is one golden rule you must ALWAYS follow when driving Lambo's because they are 4 wheel drive.. Never ever slip the clutch. Do what you want when the clutch is fully engaged, but slip it reversing up an incline etc or giving it 'large' from the lights and that is your clutch gone..

I remember instructing in my Murcie for 3 years and the number of customers who slip (or tried to slip) the clutch in everyday driving was unbelievable. The number of customers who (and get this) dip the clutch when cornering then bring it up on the straight is huge! I used to constantly lean over the centre console to see where their left foot was. Where do these people learn to drive or pick up these habits?
Ferrari's on the other hand are fine cos they are two wheel drive obviously.

But the common misconception that Lambo clutches are weak is plain wrong..really.

[Mosi]

My Murci clutch last fine for 15k miles, nay worries

was still plenty of life in it at 15k miles when I sold it too

And I didnt drive it like a girl either, but as Simon says above - I was ALWAYS mindful of a sure fire way of shredding it in no time at all

[jdwcd]

my last clutch lasted over 20k miles and still had plenty left. golden rule, get it rolling first.

[lordbluf]

simonspider said:

No disrespect but I despair reading threads like this. Assuming its not a problem with the clutch being incorrectly/badly fitted then how its gone after 800 miles is down to one factor - Driver Error or simply poor driving technique considering its a Lambo..

Without trumpeting it one of my Murcies has done 165,000 miles on 5 clutchs - an average of over 30,000 miles each. Each clutch has suffered 100's of different drivers with my road driving inbetween.
However - there is one golden rule you must ALWAYS follow when driving Lambo's because they are 4 wheel drive.. Never ever slip the clutch. Do what you want when the clutch is fully engaged, but slip it reversing up an incline etc or giving it 'large' from the lights and that is your clutch gone..

I remember instructing in my Murcie for 3 years and the number of customers who slip (or tried to slip) the clutch in everyday driving was unbelievable. The number of customers who (and get this) dip the clutch when cornering then bring it up on the straight is huge! I used to constantly lean over the centre console to see where their left foot was. Where do these people learn to drive or pick up these habits?
Ferrari's on the other hand are fine cos they are two wheel drive obviously.

But the common misconception that Lambo clutches are weak is plain wrong..really.

As i said, i havent given it large at light, nor sat on the clutch (i.e. flick into neutral when i stop).
I have to reverse up a slight incline to get it up the drive and i do ride the clutch then-if i released the clutch fully, i would end up reserving too fast into a very small gap- not ideal...(i welcome your solutions...) I also welcome your solution to speed bumps, again, risk the car cutting out at the speed that you have to take some of these bumps....(my clutch goes fully down)

Its in a trusted inde garage now who are taking a look at it.

[rod x lambo]

to be honest sounds like driver error unless oil is leaking onto the
clutch from input shaft or crankshaft which should have been noticed
when taken apart. murcie clutch up fully then throttle when reversing
use engine revs at idle as it is harder to stall because 12 cylinders
uphill reverse fast clutch up

[lordbluf]

update:

Apparently its not the clutch, and not 'driver error' - but instead the flywheel is bent/warped, caused i think because the last owner drove the last clutch into the ground before selling. I had the car a week before putting it into the garage.

Clutch is about 10-15% worn which is a big relief as was worried id be changing a clutch every 2 months....
Do not sure if the mechanic is supposed to spot a bent flywheel when they change a clutch as i know little about cars tbh.

[Peter101]

lordbluf said:

Do not sure if the mechanic is supposed to spot a bent flywheel when they change a clutch as i know little about cars tbh.

You would hope they would, but after what I have experienced from main dealers nothing would surprise me. Overpaid and over hyped grease monkeys.

Edited by Peter101 on Sunday 12th September 11:03

[jdwcd]

i thought the flywheel was changed with clutch normally

[AndyS2]

lordbluf said:

update:

Apparently its not the clutch, and not 'driver error' - but instead the flywheel is bent/warped, caused i think because the last owner drove the last clutch into the ground before selling. I had the car a week before putting it into the garage.

Clutch is about 10-15% worn which is a big relief as was worried id be changing a clutch every 2 months....
Do not sure if the mechanic is supposed to spot a bent flywheel when they change a clutch as i know little about cars tbh.

They are charging £3k for a clutch change and not checking the flywheel? Sounds like a schoolboy error to me, take it somewhere else.

[V10 BAT]

jdwcd said:

i thought the flywheel was changed with clutch normally

Yeah,another reason why it`s £3k,so are we saying 3k gets you the friction plate
and pressure plate?
Depending on miles i dont think replacing the flywheel is necessary,but it sure needs to
be checked for runout and surface cracking.
4 wd, madness not to replace it, or at least get it resurfaced while your in there.
Lord,it seems you dont have a lead left foot,
Hope it all turns out fine for you matey.
cheers

[barnacal bill]

HI mate, lets just be honest about this, one,you hav forked out a chunk off you wealth for this and yes at last you own one off the most beutifull cars ever made, yes it makes your heart pump every time you drive it,but i can imagine, it worries you about the clutch every short trip in it, and nothing more anoying than some wee boy racer in a tuned micra sitting nxt to you and shouting let it rip big man,you realy want to, but f/me i wont risk the clutch burn, st aint it,yeah you want to hear the sound off the v12 orchestra in the back,and most off all u want to open her up ,but always in your mind the bloody clutch,maybe its just bad luk mate, why not fone that wnklebottom guy, yeah him with the fancy suits that looks like a thunderbirds puppetand say, listen pal gonna get yer clutches workin better cause were all fed up burnin them oot,invent suthin solve the problem ,if apollo 13 can be saved by a roll off sticky bak plastic,and an empty fairy liquid bottle surley get your heads around this one, buy the way there is a guy in the states sells ceramic plates and guarantees a min off 5kmls.£2500.

[jdwcd]

V10 BAT said:

jdwcd said:

i thought the flywheel was changed with clutch normally

Yeah,another reason why it`s £3k,so are we saying 3k gets you the friction plate
and pressure plate?
Depending on miles i dont think replacing the flywheel is necessary,but it sure needs to
be checked for runout and surface cracking.
4 wd, madness not to replace it, or at least get it resurfaced while your in there.
Lord,it seems you dont have a lead left foot,
Hope it all turns out fine for you matey.
cheers

It comes as a kit flywheel and plates. Not many people replace just the clutch.

[Jules360]

barnacal bill said:

HI mate, lets just be honest about this, one,you hav forked out a chunk off you wealth for this and yes at last you own one off the most beutifull cars ever made, yes it makes your heart pump every time you drive it,but i can imagine, it worries you about the clutch every short trip in it, and nothing more anoying than some wee boy racer in a tuned micra sitting nxt to you and shouting let it rip big man,you realy want to, but f/me i wont risk the clutch burn, st aint it,yeah you want to hear the sound off the v12 orchestra in the back,and most off all u want to open her up ,but always in your mind the bloody clutch,maybe its just bad luk mate, why not fone that wnklebottom guy, yeah him with the fancy suits that looks like a thunderbirds puppetand say, listen pal gonna get yer clutches workin better cause were all fed up burnin them oot,invent suthin solve the problem ,if apollo 13 can be saved by a roll off sticky bak plastic,and an empty fairy liquid bottle surley get your heads around this one, buy the way there is a guy in the states sells ceramic plates and guarantees a min off 5kmls.£2500.

Can anyone translate ?

[lordbluf]

barnacal bill said:

HI mate, lets just be honest about this, one,you hav forked out a chunk off you wealth for this and yes at last you own one off the most beutifull cars ever made, yes it makes your heart pump every time you drive it,but i can imagine, it worries you about the clutch every short trip in it, and nothing more anoying than some wee boy racer in a tuned micra sitting nxt to you and shouting let it rip big man,you realy want to, but f/me i wont risk the clutch burn, st aint it,yeah you want to hear the sound off the v12 orchestra in the back,and most off all u want to open her up ,but always in your mind the bloody clutch,maybe its just bad luk mate, why not fone that wnklebottom guy, yeah him with the fancy suits that looks like a thunderbirds puppetand say, listen pal gonna get yer clutches workin better cause were all fed up burnin them oot,invent suthin solve the problem ,if apollo 13 can be saved by a roll off sticky bak plastic,and an empty fairy liquid bottle surley get your heads around this one, buy the way there is a guy in the states sells ceramic plates and guarantees a min off 5kmls.£2500.

So true in many ways!