Clutch On The Way Out?

Clutch On The Way Out?

Author
Discussion

Olivera

Original Poster:

7,195 posts

240 months

Saturday 19th April 2008
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Today on a 'swift' drive I noticed that when flooring it in 4th or 5th gear, at about 4k rpm, the revs rise about 1k instantly, drop back about 500rpm, then begin rising again. Is this the clutch slipping?

Note that it doesn't happen at all when accelerating hard in lower gears. It also doesnt happen when accelerating full throttle in 4th and 5th at low rpms (2000-3000ish). As mentioned above, it only occurs close to peak torque (5k rpm) when flooring it in 4th or 5th when at 80+ mph.

In normal driving it feels great as it always did, but the rpms yo-yo in a strange fashion when flooring it at 4krpm+ in high gears.

Am I correct in stating that I need a new clutch?

Mactac

645 posts

194 months

Saturday 19th April 2008
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Does it get worse when warmer,

and yes anyway

stevieturbo

17,275 posts

248 months

Saturday 19th April 2008
quotequote all
Yes, new clutch.

And if you keep driving it like that, a new flywheel too.

It baffles me as to why people with a slipping clutch, continue to thrash the life out of it, making matters even worse. Although when they get a bigger bill than expected....some maybe learn.

Steve_D

13,751 posts

259 months

Saturday 19th April 2008
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stevieturbo said:
Yes, new clutch.

And if you keep driving it like that, a new flywheel too.

It baffles me as to why people with a slipping clutch, continue to thrash the life out of it, making matters even worse. Although when they get a bigger bill than expected....some maybe learn.
In fairness, those who don't know what a slipping clutch feels like are also unlikely to know that further damage can be done by continuing to drive in a fashion likely to promote the slip.

To expand for the unknowing. When working correctly the clutch is slipped to pull away but from that point on no movement is taking place at the clutch surfaces. If you sit at a junction, on a slope, and slip the clutch to hold your position a lot of heat is generated which can damage many of the clutch components including the flywheel. When a clutch is worn in will slip under load and this will get progressively worse. If you continue to try and drive whilst this slip is taking place more damage is done and the bill will go up.

Steve

Olivera

Original Poster:

7,195 posts

240 months

Sunday 20th April 2008
quotequote all
Hmm very strange, I went out for a drive today and the clutch didnt slip at all! On Friday it was definately slipping as per my original post! Any ideas what the hell is going on?

darren no 7

558 posts

249 months

Sunday 20th April 2008
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sit there with the handbrake on fully put it in fourth gear and try to pull away ,if it stalls clutch is ok,if it slips with clutch all the way out its had it

Marf

22,907 posts

242 months

Sunday 20th April 2008
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Olivera said:
Hmm very strange, I went out for a drive today and the clutch didnt slip at all! On Friday it was definately slipping as per my original post! Any ideas what the hell is going on?
I see you drive a Cupra R, turbo correct? Was it colder out on Friday? Turbo cars make a fair bit more torque when the air is cold outside(well more of a difference compared to NA) so the extra torque may have just tipped it over the limit of the clutch.

stevieturbo

17,275 posts

248 months

Sunday 20th April 2008
quotequote all
darren no 7 said:
sit there with the handbrake on fully put it in fourth gear and try to pull away ,if it stalls clutch is ok,if it slips with clutch all the way out its had it
Very primitive test.

Trying to put about 20-30lbft to make a car move, isnt the same as a lot of power/torque to make it accelerate in a high gear.


Your test would only highlight a completely and utterly knackered clutch.



Edited by stevieturbo on Sunday 20th April 18:15