Clutch slipping

Post by **Tim Leech** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:27 pm

Ken very kindly fitted some new spheres aand a rear arm bearing and a new clutch to my tzd non turbo recently. I supplied the parts, the clutch was one I bought from eBay for a very reasonable price, being an luk one I though I was ok.

After some adjustment the clutch is light and the change Is fine, sadly when the car gets warm it slips quite badly making acceleration on hills interesting but standing starts surprisingly brisk

I'm wondering if in my haste to bag a bargain I have bought the earlier type clutch with a different release bearing? My car is a 92 and I think they changed about 88?

Anyone else came across this.

Post by **Defender110** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:57 pm

Have you got a bit of free play in the cable after the pedal is at the top of it's travel?

Post by **Tim Leech** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:40 pm

Defender110 wrote:Have you got a bit of free play in the cable after the pedal is at the top of it's travel?

The cable is releasing ok yes.

Post by **docchevron** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:15 am

the release bearing wont make it slip, and the differences betweent he right and wrong bearing mean that the wrong one wouldn't fit at all.

Sounds more like the clutch is not fit for purpose.
I've had *some* issues with LUK clutches before, equally I've fitted plenty that have been fine, but I've never had a problem EVER with a Valeo clutch.
Pays your money, takes your choice as they say..

That said, before getting depressed, check for simple things like contamination. I've had it before where an injector return pipe was spraying a fine mist from number 1 cylinder which was migrating into the bellhousing and causing clutch slip. Oil lwaks from the cam oil seal can do the same, and so it goes on, is it all nice and dry around the bellhousing?
If you can, whip the bottom plate off and have a ganders as best you can at the flywheel and as much as you can see of the bellhousing inside. Any oil?

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:42 am

or even if the gear oil has been over filled it would leak into the clutch houseing,

although i would still double check the clutch adjustment before getting worried about more coplex prob's,

regards malcolm

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:56 am

I filled the gearbox on reasonably level ground using the level plug as my guide, so I'm certain it's not a gearbox oil problem.

There was contamination on the old clutch and on the flywheel, but I believe this was caused by a badly leaking camshaft seal. I cleaned up before fitting the new clutch and wouldn't have thought it's had enough running to get so badly contaminated yet, even so, the old clutch didn't slip.

My thoughts are as above, it's a mismatched clutch.

Post by **Tim Leech** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 9:21 am

Okidokes

I will get a valeo clutch for her when funds allow then, but need to get hold of another gearbox so we can swop them both at the same time as mines rather noisy!

Shame as it drives well asides the slip! and if driven gently is ok.

Thanks.

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:54 pm

LUK clutches are fine (the 16v is running one after the Valeo one exploded), it's a contamination or flywheel surface issue.

Post by **Tim Leech** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:28 pm

Kitch wrote:LUK clutches are fine (the 16v is running one after the Valeo one exploded), it's a contamination or flywheel surface issue.

It came in a LUK box, but theres no markings on the clutch itself. The old clutch didnt slip one bit, this doesnt slip when cold though.

Post by **Defender110** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:39 pm

So was the gearbox always noisy?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:08 pm

It actually came in an unmarked box and only the friction plate was stamped LUK

Post by **Tim Leech** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:34 pm

Defender110 wrote:So was the gearbox always noisy?

It was, i didnt notice it though, the XUD lump isnt known for being quiet, but since Ken pointed it out its very noticeable.

Post by **Defender110** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:43 am

Roverman wrote:
Defender110 wrote:So was the gearbox always noisy?
It was, i didnt notice it though, the XUD lump isnt known for being quiet, but since Ken pointed it out its very noticeable.

So there's no chance the pressure plate was accidentaly put in the wrong way round with the thick end of the boss touching the flywheel causing decreased drive pressure / noise?

Post by **docchevron** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 1:27 am

nah, Ken knows his onions.

Sounds to me like a plain box with only one part stamped.. it's a cheapy clutch.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:31 am

When I worked at QH, we bought the friction material in from Valeo, so often this had Valeo printed on it....so it's difficult to tell the make although all manufacturers can let the odd dodgy one through.