Slipping clutch
Discussion
My clutch has started slipping. It manifests itself as a slight blip in the revs - just like an automatic changing gear, and only happens in 4th and 5th if I give it too much gas at low speed - instead of changing down a gear to accelerate. If I nurse it along, I can get around without making it slip.
It's a Fiat Ducato 2.3JTD van which we use as a support/maintenance vehicle, so it's often loaded up to its maximum 3.5t weight.
My garage can't fit me in for a couple of weeks. I realise it's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question, but can I risk using it?
I've never had a clutch go before, so I don't know what to expect. Will it gradually slip more and more, or can it suddenly fail completely?
Edit: 1000th post! Wahey!!
It's a Fiat Ducato 2.3JTD van which we use as a support/maintenance vehicle, so it's often loaded up to its maximum 3.5t weight.
My garage can't fit me in for a couple of weeks. I realise it's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question, but can I risk using it?
I've never had a clutch go before, so I don't know what to expect. Will it gradually slip more and more, or can it suddenly fail completely?
Edit: 1000th post! Wahey!!
Edited by sunbeam_alpine on Friday 14th January 18:56
Are you sure it is the clutch slipping? It's usually easier to provoke this in lower gears...
My girlfriend's car (another Fiat, as it happens - her Multipla Dogwagon) suffered identical symptoms to yours, and it turned out to be the dual-mass flywheel (though it would admittedly seem odd to fit one of these to a van).
Unfortunately, the big difference is the size of the bill.
My girlfriend's car (another Fiat, as it happens - her Multipla Dogwagon) suffered identical symptoms to yours, and it turned out to be the dual-mass flywheel (though it would admittedly seem odd to fit one of these to a van).
Unfortunately, the big difference is the size of the bill.
Edited by Sam_68 on Friday 14th January 21:15
Sam_68 said:
Are you sure it is the clutch slipping? It's usually easier to provoke this in lower gears...
More likely to see in higher gears as more loading on the clutch due to the higher gear ratio.get into top gear and rev it with the clutch disengaged and dump the clutch. if the revs drop lke a stone the clutch is okay if they don't then its the clutch.
You can last a few weeks on an iffy clutch by driving like a granny.
I lasted 3 months on an iffy clutch before i bite the bullet and changed it
Sam_68 said:
Are you sure it is the clutch slipping? It's usually easier to provoke this in lower gears...
My girlfriend's car (another Fiat, as it happens - her Multipla Dogwagon) suffered identical symptoms to yours, and it turned out to be the dual-mass flywheel (though it would admittedly seem odd to fit one of these to a van).
Unfortunately, the big difference is the size of the bill.
Strangely enough, it has been making a strange noise when starting recently. Could this also be a symptom of the flywheel problem (as I assume the starter engages on the flywheel)?My girlfriend's car (another Fiat, as it happens - her Multipla Dogwagon) suffered identical symptoms to yours, and it turned out to be the dual-mass flywheel (though it would admittedly seem odd to fit one of these to a van).
Unfortunately, the big difference is the size of the bill.
Edited by Sam_68 on Friday 14th January 21:15
Edit: A quick google search seems to suggest that the ducato doesn't have a dual mass flywheel.
Edited by sunbeam_alpine on Friday 14th January 21:28
thinfourth2 said:
get into top gear and rev it with the clutch disengaged and dump the clutch. if the revs drop lke a stone clutch centre wrenches itself out of the diaphragm spring or a driveshaft joint shears, the clutch is was okay.
EFA 
Personally, I prefer to find a nice, steep hill then gas it in gear with the clutch engaged to see if it provokes slip: it's less abusive to the rest of the drivetrain.
Nice to know you can rule out a dual mass flywheel though, OP - they're the work of the Devil!
Sam_68 said:
thinfourth2 said:
get into top gear and rev it with the clutch disengaged and dump the clutch. if the revs drop lke a stone clutch centre wrenches itself out of the diaphragm spring or a driveshaft joint shears, the clutch is was okay.
EFA Personally, I prefer to find a nice, steep hill then gas it in gear with the clutch engaged to see if it provokes slip: it's less abusive to the rest of the drivetrain.
Nice to know you can rule out a dual mass flywheel though, OP - they're the work of the Devil!
skeggysteve said:
OP - if it is clutch slip you can make the vehicle 'work' for a bit longer.
Coke (the cola) or the fire extingishers (sp) that they have in race pit lanes.
Just apply to the clutch via the holes in the bell housing.
Both work well.
It seems to be worse when the roads are very wet, but I thought that was my imagination. Didn't know there were holes.Coke (the cola) or the fire extingishers (sp) that they have in race pit lanes.
Just apply to the clutch via the holes in the bell housing.
Both work well.
Wow, that was a long time ago!
I got the garage to replace the clutch as soon as they could, as I didn't want to risk getting stuck - the van often does long distances (as I would guess your motorhome does).
At least with a motorhome, you've got all the comforts while waiting for a breakdown service!
I got the garage to replace the clutch as soon as they could, as I didn't want to risk getting stuck - the van often does long distances (as I would guess your motorhome does).
At least with a motorhome, you've got all the comforts while waiting for a breakdown service!
Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff