Possible clutch problem

[icraigmy]

I think my clutch may be on the way out. I noticed this Saturday whilst driving the Tamora that it was difficult to engage gear on two occasions. It only happened twice and I drove about 40 miles.

On the Sunday I got into the car and started it up. I could not get it into gear. After pumping the clutch several times, it still would'nt engage gear. I stopped and started the engine again. Still no joy. Then turned off the engine and could engage any gears OK. So started the engine again, and this time I could engage gears OK. Ummmm

I did'nt take the car out on Sunday because I'm not sure if it is the clutch.

Anyway has anyone experienced this, or if you have changed your clutch, what were the symptoms before failure.

I'm annoyed because I want to go on the London rally next sunday, but are not sure if driving around London with a suspect clutch is a good thing. I would not be able to get it sorted out by Sunday.

[Daftlad]

icraigmy said:

I think my clutch may be on the way out. I noticed this Saturday whilst driving the Tamora that it was difficult to engage gear on two occasions. It only happened twice and I drove about 40 miles.

On the Sunday I got into the car and started it up. I could not get it into gear. After pumping the clutch several times, it still would'nt engage gear. I stopped and started the engine again. Still no joy. Then turned off the engine and could engage any gears OK. So started the engine again, and this time I could engage gears OK. Ummmm

I did'nt take the car out on Sunday because I'm not sure if it is the clutch.

Anyway has anyone experienced this, or if you have changed your clutch, what were the symptoms before failure.

I'm annoyed because I want to go on the London rally next sunday, but are not sure if driving around London with a suspect clutch is a good thing. I would not be able to get it sorted out by Sunday.

See previous thread

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=323629&f=7&h=0

[scotty1]

icraigmy said:

I think my clutch may be on the way out. I noticed this Saturday whilst driving the Tamora that it was difficult to engage gear on two occasions. It only happened twice and I drove about 40 miles.

On the Sunday I got into the car and started it up. I could not get it into gear. After pumping the clutch several times, it still would'nt engage gear. I stopped and started the engine again. Still no joy. Then turned off the engine and could engage any gears OK. So started the engine again, and this time I could engage gears OK. Ummmm

I did'nt take the car out on Sunday because I'm not sure if it is the clutch.

Anyway has anyone experienced this, or if you have changed your clutch, what were the symptoms before failure.

I'm annoyed because I want to go on the London rally next sunday, but are not sure if driving around London with a suspect clutch is a good thing. I would not be able to get it sorted out by Sunday.

Your symptoms are exactly the same as mine were, it turned out that some of the fingers at the centre of the clutch had broken off and the dealer explained that this is why it had engaged some times and not others...eventually it wouldn't engage at all....is it the original clutch because the new one that was put on mine was apparently built differently to the old one. I'd be interested to know if you have a new type that has gone.

[icraigmy]

My Tamora is an 02 one. There is no mention of a clutch being fitted in the service history, so I assume that it is still the original clutch from 02 era.

[DJC]

YHM craig.

[black sabbath]

My garage tells me the early clutches did tend to fail at as little as 12,000 miles. The newer models have an upgraded clutch which is better!

Edited by black sabbath on Monday 20th November 21:56

[t40ora]

black sabbath said:

My garage tells me the early clutches did tend to fail at as little as 12,000 miles. The newer models have an upgraded clutch which is better!

Edited by black sabbath on Monday 20th November 21:56

Ooo. New car, 13.5k, and just a slight problem selecting reverse.... Gulp?

[justyr]

Always select 5th before selecting reverse (as per manual, if you have one). J

[t40ora]

justyr said:

Always select 5th before selecting reverse (as per manual, if you have one). J

Yeah, I've done this from new. Now, 13.5k on the clock since I got, it's started resisting a little.

[icraigmy]

I might just go for it and get a new clutch anyway, even if the problem may not be the clutch. My Tamora has done 21000 miles and has had two previous owners. Don't know how they have driven the car, so for piece of mind I think I'll get the clutch changed ready for next year.

[scotty1]

icraigmy said:

I might just go for it and get a new clutch anyway, even if the problem may not be the clutch. My Tamora has done 21000 miles and has had two previous owners. Don't know how they have driven the car, so for piece of mind I think I'll get the clutch changed ready for next year.

If its the original clutch then its done well when you compare it to mine at 12500miles... and some others i've seen on here.

[hollowpockets]

im onto 20k now and still original clutch, pedal action feels same as when i got it at 10k.

only sumtimes find it doesnt easy slip into first at standstill, take foot off brake and when the car starts to roll it slips in fine. any ideas?

[rfisher]

My clutch was replaced at 10k miles under warranty.

I always double de-clutch 5th to decrease wear on the gearbox - try it, it works!

[t40ora]

rfisher said:

My clutch was replaced at 10k miles under warranty.

I always double de-clutch 5th to decrease wear on the gearbox - try it, it works!

Just 5th? Because of that synchromesh thing mentioned earlier on this thread?

[targarama]

t40ora said:

rfisher said:

My clutch was replaced at 10k miles under warranty.

I always double de-clutch 5th to decrease wear on the gearbox - try it, it works!

Just 5th? Because of that synchromesh thing mentioned earlier on this thread?

No, any forward gear. I always use first.

[icraigmy]

hollowpockets said:

only sumtimes find it doesnt easy slip into first at standstill, take foot off brake and when the car starts to roll it slips in fine. any ideas?

I get this aswell

[rfisher]

Wires crossing methinks.

To select reverse without crunching when the engine is running and the car is stationary select 5th before reverse (with clutch depressed - obviously).

To change up to 5th whilst car is moving (need to be going more than 55mph) double de-clutch. Get a much smoother change and less risk of chewing up 5th which is the weakest gear on the T5 box.