Peugeot 206 - Clutch Problems

RentDayBlues

I got my car serviced in September and no real problems - though the mechanic did pick up on a tearing noise which was the bearings in my clutch. He did say that it was a sign that the Clutch was going but didnt need to be replaced immediately.

The noise has got slightly worse now and I'm concerned that its going to give up any day - so do I preempt it and go get the clutch replaced even though it may have a good bit of life in it yet or do I hold out. I could do without having to pay for a new clutch so soon after a service!

JoeySully

a clutch is not part of a normal service so having had your car services recently has nothing to do with it.
so its entirely up to you fix it or don't fix it. If you choose not to fix it then make sure you have paid up your AA subscription and expect to be late for work at least one morning. your mech has advised you correctly but shop around for prices. get the phone book out and ring around.

Ferror

RentDayBlues wrote: »

I got my car serviced in September and no real problems - though the mechanic did pick up on a tearing noise which was the bearings in my clutch. He did say that it was a sign that the Clutch was going but didnt need to be replaced immediately.

The noise has got slightly worse now and I'm concerned that its going to give up any day - so do I preempt it and go get the clutch replaced even though it may have a good bit of life in it yet or do I hold out. I could do without having to pay for a new clutch so soon after a service!

Same thing happen to my 206 a couple of weeks ago; clutch still was working but the release bearing noise got worse and worse - after a couple of weeks living with the noise if finally gave up and ended with a lovely burning smell and an immobile car.

Think it's best just to get a 3 part clutch now and save the hassle of getting stranded somewhere... Cost €300 to do here: http://walkinstownclutch.com

RentDayBlues

Ferror, thanks for that - I've lived with the noise for about 4 months now so I think I should probably bite the bullet and get it fixed - don't want to break down on the way home for Christmas.

Darragh29

Eventually the bearing will seize up and come apart. I've seen more damage before from this type of clutch fault, bearing guide sleeves worn and clutch release fork damaged because the bearing ended up eating into these parts. Best thing is to get it done as soon as the problem becomes obvious. A rule of thumb, the longer you leave it, usually, the more damage is done. Not always, but usually enough...

RentDayBlues

Thanks Darragh - agree - I think its time to bite the bullet and get it fixed now.

RentDayBlues

Does anyone know of any other garages that will similar to thew one suggested above? Walkinstown is a little difficult for me to get to.

Darragh29

Ferror wrote: »

Same thing happen to my 206 a couple of weeks ago; clutch still was working but the release bearing noise got worse and worse - after a couple of weeks living with the noise if finally gave up and ended with a lovely burning smell and an immobile car.

Think it's best just to get a 3 part clutch now and save the hassle of getting stranded somewhere... Cost €300 to do here: http://walkinstownclutch.com

Just checked out that website. Does anyone know what "state-of-the-art electronic diagnostic equipment" they are referring to when they say they use this equipment to, "clarify any faults apparent", in relation to manual gearboxes & clutches??? I'm all for technology but I can't imagine what equipment they could be using to diagnose a problem with a clutch or a manual transmission???

Also, 300 Euro for a clutch seems a bit on the low side???

RentDayBlues

Darragh I think the €300 is to replace the bearings not all the clutch, I'm going to call round and see what I can get quoted.

Ferror

Just to clarify, that 300 included the clutch friction disk, pressure plate and release bearing (driveshaft seals and gear oil change too i'm sure) + labour... it was a bit far for me too but i couldn't find anywhere close that cheap! Just thought i'd put it out there as the same thing happened recently and the guy did a good job.

RentDayBlues

Thanks Ferror - my own local "Peugeot" garage just quoted €610 for the full clutch to be replaced - apparently it will cost almost the same to get the bearings done.

Ferror

RentDayBlues wrote: »

Thanks Ferror - my own local "Peugeot" garage just quoted €610 for the full clutch to be replaced - apparently it will cost almost the same to get the bearings done.

Holy crap! That's pretty pricy, besides, there's no real point in just replacing the bearing with everything apart and half worn anyway

I actually found the walkinstown clutch place here tbh and i'm glad i did! Cheaper than doing it myself for all the time it'd take me

Darragh29

RentDayBlues wrote: »

Thanks Ferror - my own local "Peugeot" garage just quoted €610 for the full clutch to be replaced - apparently it will cost almost the same to get the bearings done.

What bearing are we talking about here??? The only bearing that should be changed here, this side of the gearbox being removed, is the clutch release bearing that is one of the three parts of the replacement 3 piece clutch kit.

300 Euro for an OEM 3 piece replacement clutch kit (cover assembly, driven plate and release bearing), and labour sounds too low in my opinion. A more realistic price for an OEM clutch kit and labour would be around 400-450 Euro for this car I think.

I'm not too sure on what bearings folks are referring to above. AFAIK, the only bearing that is causing a problem here is the clutch release bearing, which should be replaced with the clutch kit in any event. If there are other bearings gone in the gearbox (and there is no evidence of this from reading the thread, unless I've missed something...), this is a separate issue and you won't be able to tell this until you have the gearbox out...

Meant to say, that price of 400-450 Euro is for an indy fitting an LuK or Valeo clutch... Main dealer, price above given as 610, which sounds steep but normal for a main dealer...

RentDayBlues

Darragh - it seems to be that you are right - most places have said to get full clutch replaced - quotes are coming in around 400 - 450. Place in walkinstown quoted €260 - I'm going to call a few other places and see what they quote.

Thanks to all for your help

Darragh29

RentDayBlues wrote: »

Darragh - it seems to be that you are right - most places have said to get full clutch replaced - quotes are coming in around 400 - 450. Place in walkinstown quoted €260 - I'm going to call a few other places and see what they quote.

Thanks to all for your help

I know 400 plus sounds like robbery but I can tell you for sure that 260 Euro is just way way to cheap.

RentDayBlues

Just wanted to update everyone - went out to Mr Gearbox Mr Clutch at lunch time to leave the car in to get the clutch replaced.

Owner took it for a test drive and said that the release bearings are only marginally noisy and that he doesn't feel that the clutch needs to be replaced now - I was happy to do it there if he said it needed to be done!

Btw - price was excellent €300 plus VAT.

Darragh29

I still think 300 quid is a bit on the low side for that job. That release bearing could last another 2 years or another 2 days. Punto's are well known for release bearings falling apart after a matter of days from when you first start hearing the noise. Fair play to him for giving you that advice but if I was him, I'd give the same advice but would be attaching a health warning to it, in case it packs in imminently and your paying recovery charges...

MKpugwash

Its no wonder dealers and repairers get away with charging such high prices with people like Darragh29 and RentDayBlues about . A replacement clutch kit including pressure plate bearing and friction plate are between £45 to £65 depending on the model (see EBay) it will not be diamond encrusted if you pay £600 . I came on hear for tips as I will be replacing my wife’s 206 1.4 clutch at the weekend. The highest price I was quoted was £350 and the lowest was £200, however, (Mr Clutch in Manchester) this was too far away and the reviews are poor- See RAC forum. Locally the lowest was £300 it is not a difficult job just time consuming it would take the garage 2 hours to do - it will take me 3-4 hours but I am saving the £250 ( I am a financial adviser). Car mechanics are not brain surgeons they cant do my job but as long as I don’t need highly specialist tools I sure as hell can do theirs.

An example of main dealers prices £120 plus vat for break pads for a one hour job. My friends at work all pay this and more, the garage will then get a 17 year old to do the job! £20-30 for the pads. Jack up the car remove wheel - remove two bolts (usually) - push back the piston (with a bit of wood) remove pads (don’t breath in the dust) put in the new pads put back together and repeat on the other side!!! pump break pedal before moving off- test car wonder why you have paid £120 for this in the past.
Local collages run evening classes- if you have a handy friend ask them to help you (you will learn nothing if they do it), they will be very pleased to offer advice and even tools and the next time you will be able to do it on your own.

Buy a Haynes manual and have a go- when you need a tool buy it- you will save a great deal of money this applies to the ladies to, however, if you are a man -James May is spot on and its time to become one!

MKpugwash

just seen a review on the RAC forum glad it was too far away