2018 SEAT Leon clutch
Discussion
Hello wonderful people (seems strange to venture beyond the pizza thread).
I have a 2018 SEAT Leon FR estate, manual with the 1.8l 180ish bhp engine.
Bought in 2019 with only 7k on the clock. Have done 18k miles since then, around half of them motorway.
Yesterday on our return from Gatwick I noticed warm air around my legs despite aircon being on. 20 miles later the engine suddenly revved in 7000 rpm and we pulled over 300 yards later with stinky smoke coming from the front.
RAC guy who arrived 45 minutes later drove it around the block and said ‘it must have been the clutch, although it shouldn’t be at 25k miles’. Said it might be a bit sticky due to overheating but should be ok.
So we drove on, but clutch has remained ‘sticky’. Hard to depress, doesn’t come
Back smoothly.
I have been driving for 23 years and have never had a clutch go on me in a car so young with so little mileage.
Have booked it in with my local dealer who I don’t have a relationship with. Warranty ran out in June.
Thoughts?
I have a 2018 SEAT Leon FR estate, manual with the 1.8l 180ish bhp engine.
Bought in 2019 with only 7k on the clock. Have done 18k miles since then, around half of them motorway.
Yesterday on our return from Gatwick I noticed warm air around my legs despite aircon being on. 20 miles later the engine suddenly revved in 7000 rpm and we pulled over 300 yards later with stinky smoke coming from the front.
RAC guy who arrived 45 minutes later drove it around the block and said ‘it must have been the clutch, although it shouldn’t be at 25k miles’. Said it might be a bit sticky due to overheating but should be ok.
So we drove on, but clutch has remained ‘sticky’. Hard to depress, doesn’t come
Back smoothly.
I have been driving for 23 years and have never had a clutch go on me in a car so young with so little mileage.
Have booked it in with my local dealer who I don’t have a relationship with. Warranty ran out in June.
Thoughts?
Based on experience a few days ago on daughter's SEAT Ateca with a warning to change the front suspension arms as the bushes are deteriorating at 30K and just under 3 yrs, so car still in warranty, but the dealer saying "wear and tear" I'd say you'll be buying a new clutch.
There was an owner on the Ateca forum who sued his dealer after SEAT made him pay for a new clutch at 5000 miles 10 months. SEAT told him they warrant it for 5000 miles 6 months so hard luck, you're out of time!
He got a report to say the clutch should last 70-140K and won the case in full.
It's suspected the issue on Ateca could be autohold / auto-handbrake not releasing quickly enough. Don't know if this is common on other models.
There was an owner on the Ateca forum who sued his dealer after SEAT made him pay for a new clutch at 5000 miles 10 months. SEAT told him they warrant it for 5000 miles 6 months so hard luck, you're out of time!
He got a report to say the clutch should last 70-140K and won the case in full.
It's suspected the issue on Ateca could be autohold / auto-handbrake not releasing quickly enough. Don't know if this is common on other models.
Sheepshanks said:
Based on experience a few days ago on daughter's SEAT Ateca with a warning to change the front suspension arms as the bushes are deteriorating at 30K and just under 3 yrs, so car still in warranty, but the dealer saying "wear and tear" I'd say you'll be buying a new clutch.
There was an owner on the Ateca forum who sued his dealer after SEAT made him pay for a new clutch at 5000 miles 10 months. SEAT told him they warrant it for 5000 miles 6 months so hard luck, you're out of time!
He got a report to say the clutch should last 70-140K and won the case in full.
It's suspected the issue on Ateca could be autohold / auto-handbrake not releasing quickly enough. Don't know if this is common on other models.
Interesting point on the auto hold. I’ve always wondered how much extra wear they induce. There was an owner on the Ateca forum who sued his dealer after SEAT made him pay for a new clutch at 5000 miles 10 months. SEAT told him they warrant it for 5000 miles 6 months so hard luck, you're out of time!
He got a report to say the clutch should last 70-140K and won the case in full.
It's suspected the issue on Ateca could be autohold / auto-handbrake not releasing quickly enough. Don't know if this is common on other models.
Had it at my local dealership today.
Have been informed that (without opening it up ) it will be roughly £1600.
They have spoken to SEAT warranty who say clutch is only covered for 12 months. There was some talk of seeing if they can shave anything off as a sign of good will 🙄
Have contacted SEAT directly to lodge a complaint, basically told sake thing. They won’t say anything until car had been opened up and diagnosis made. Find it hard to believe that this could be just ‘worn’ since I clearly haven’t abused it.
Is there any way/point in getting an independent mechanic to look in once they’ve opened it up?
Any other suggestions welcome. Clearly I expect that I’ll b e out of pocket to begin with before I can attempt to claw it back, as I need a working car, if only to sell it tomorrow.
Have been informed that (without opening it up ) it will be roughly £1600.
They have spoken to SEAT warranty who say clutch is only covered for 12 months. There was some talk of seeing if they can shave anything off as a sign of good will 🙄
Have contacted SEAT directly to lodge a complaint, basically told sake thing. They won’t say anything until car had been opened up and diagnosis made. Find it hard to believe that this could be just ‘worn’ since I clearly haven’t abused it.
Is there any way/point in getting an independent mechanic to look in once they’ve opened it up?
Any other suggestions welcome. Clearly I expect that I’ll b e out of pocket to begin with before I can attempt to claw it back, as I need a working car, if only to sell it tomorrow.
KurtKlaus said:
They won’t say anything until car had been opened up and diagnosis made. Find it hard to believe that this could be just ‘worn’ since I clearly haven’t abused it.
Is there any way/point in getting an independent mechanic to look in once they’ve opened it up?
Obviously they won't comment until they have seen if it has failed or worn.Is there any way/point in getting an independent mechanic to look in once they’ve opened it up?
Until then they actually don't know whether you (clearly haven't abused it).
Tell them to keep the parts.
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