Indications that a clutch is going?

BraveDonut

I was driving my wife's car recently and noticed that the engine revved expectantly when I put my foot down on the motorway. At the time I just put it down to how I was driving as her car requires a lighter touch than mine.
I was driving it again today so I tested this and found that the revs do climb in 4th and 5th when I accelerate before settling back down again.
I also noted that the 'bite' of the clutch is right at the top of the pedal's travel.

Clutch on its way out?

vicwatson

My clutch went recently and the signs were when i was releasing the clutch pedal the car vibrated, so much that I had to put foot on the gas to stop it cutting out, and also vibration when you rest your foot on the clutch pedal.

BraveDonut

Can't say I've noticed any vibration.
Other than what I have described, the car seems to be diving normally

slinky2000

To me it sounds like it. If the car is revving up and not going faster or not accelerating as fast as it should with the amount of revs then that's a classic clutch red flag.

Galwayguy35

BraveDonut wrote: »

Can't say I've noticed any vibration.
Other than what I have described, the car seems to be diving normally

Both the clutch and gearbox have gone in mine, didn't hear any revving then the clutch went though.

Dale Parish

That's your clutch slipping. 99% clutch problem.

mickdw

Certainly sounds like clutch slipping. Usually due to wear of the clutch disc or contamination with oil etc.
The people with vibration issues are other failures within the clutch but not so much straight forward wear of the friction material.

CiniO

BraveDonut wrote: »

I was driving my wife's car recently and noticed that the engine revved expectantly when I put my foot down on the motorway. At the time I just put it down to how I was driving as her car requires a lighter touch than mine.
I was driving it again today so I tested this and found that the revs do climb in 4th and 5th when I accelerate before settling back down again.
I also noted that the 'bite' of the clutch is right at the top of the pedal's travel.

Clutch on its way out?

Rev and speed within each gear should be linear.
So f.e. if you do 40km/h at 2000rpm on certain gear, then it should always be 80km/h at 4000rpm on the same gear.
If you step on accelerator pedal and revs rise to 4000rpm, but speed won't rise to 80km/h, then it means clutch is slipping.
In short - every time if revs rise without speed rising, it means clutch is slipping.

pred racer

Simple way to test, pull up the handbrake and try to pull away

Noccy_Mondy

Yep handbrake test is the real identifier, not pulling right or having the foot down and it not pushing on like it should is another sign.

That rotten sulphur burning smell is one of the last things that you'll smell before it calves. Then it'll struggle to even move, and then it's gone, just like that.

Obviously you will have noticed a dramatic change and should have ample time to do something before it goes. It's not a thing that goes overnight.

BraveDonut

Thanks all.
Looks like I will have to bring it in and get it done.

deandean

The clutch on my last car started slipping like that. I got another 2 years out of it. I was very gentle with it.

biko

To me the two main signs are that car doesn't stall when handbrake is on, and also that when cruising on the motorway you can rev car and the speed doesn't change at all.

BraveDonut

yes - on the motorway the car revs briefly without a change in speed but then the revs drop back to normal and the car begins to accelerate

sean1141

pred racer wrote:

Simple way to test, pull up the handbrake and try to pull away

biko wrote:

To me the two main signs are that car doesn't stall when handbrake is on, and also that when cruising on the motorway you can rev car and the speed doesn't change at all.

Clutch disk was worn on my nephews 1.4 bora recently. Holding it on the handbrake in any gear would cut it out but when driving it it would rev up when you put the foot down.

sean1141

BraveDonut wrote:

yes - on the motorway the car revs briefly without a change in speed but then the revs drop back to normal and the car begins to accelerate

It's only starting to slip. It will eventually get so bad you just won't be able to drive it

BraveDonut

Any idea how much I should expect to pay to have the clutch replaced?

sean1141

Depends on the car really. Clutch kits can vary in price depending on type and what comes with them.. also will depend on the time it takes to remove and refit the gear box. Some can be easy to get out others can take a lot of time

gerarda

Got mine replaced recently - supplied and fitted for 350. (Renault Clio)