Diesel spill on clutch ..... DOH!!

ed4ferrets · Post by **ed4ferrets** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:02 pm

Although carrying out a fuel filter change as per Mr Rutherford's advice on a previous posting I must have 'cracked' the lid too wide too soon and spilled some diesel. I found out the next day that some had found it's way on to the clutch... slippy slippy

It wasn't long before all seemed ok but I'm wondering about any long term problems please gurus

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:52 pm

I've managed to do this on my girlfriend's VTR with penetrating oil! Slips at peak torque in 2nd and 3rd gear from time to time.
I've had it happen on a car which had a leaky oil seal and it contaminated the clutch, a problem I'm told will never erase itself.

However, having blown some carb and brake cleaner onto the flywheel on this Saxo a couple of times, the clutch is no longer slipping. Still a bit soft, but overall perfectly usable and getting better by the day.

maxgreenwood · Post by **maxgreenwood** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 12:43 am

i spilt some LHM down there and it took about 50-60 miles and it was ok after slipping a bit on harder acceleration.

YorkieTXD · Post by **YorkieTXD** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:29 pm

maxgreenwood wrote:i spilt some LHM down there and it took about 50-60 miles and it was ok after slipping a bit on harder acceleration.

i actually think my pump is leaking lhm straight into clutch where hole is. what the hell did they put a hole in the casing there for??

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:36 pm

Any diesel on the clutch will burn off fairly quickly. It will darken the linings a little, but given that it's a "one off" spill, I wouldn't worry about it.

Mike E (uk) · Post by **Mike E (uk)** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:38 pm

I remember a pal at work saying he had some chemical that was ideal
for cleaning his clutch plate.

He had an oil leak, and poured a bit of this stuff in every week, and drove the car for ages, he never fixed the cause of the contamination.

I will ask him what it was.

I once dropped a small hex driver through that hole into the clutch housing.

I Took about 45 minutes to remove it with a magnetic pick up tool-
I was ever so pleased to get it out.

Mike

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:38 pm

I dropped one of the bolts that hold down the front of the intercooler into the little hole. It rattled about for a couple of seconds then hid from me. Fortunately after I started the engine it dropped to the bottom - I too was quite relieved I didn't have to take the gearbox out the day after doing an engine swap...

ed4ferrets · Post by **ed4ferrets** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:43 pm

DavidRutherford wrote:Any diesel on the clutch will burn off fairly quickly. It will darken the linings a little, but given that it's a "one off" spill, I wouldn't worry about it.

Belated update: Within a very short time all returned to normal

Lesson learned, be patient and let the diesel drain as much as possible before cracking the housing lid further. If you rush the filter unit detaches from the lid, plops back into the housing and splashes diesel all over the place..........

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:02 am

I've done exactly the same thing myself, damn annoying. I now always put a rag around the whole thing, just in case....