Been having problems with my GTi recently. I've noticed for a while that the biting point on my clutch is quite high up the pedal and over the last week I've begun to find it quite difficult to change gears when the car is moving. It's noticeably smoother changing gears when the car is stationary than when it is moving - the change feels very stiff and 'notchy'.
Does this sound like the clutch is on the way out or does it sound more like a gearbox problem? I've never driven a car with a failing clutch before so not quite sure how it feels...
Thanks in advance.
Clutch on its way out?
- blazeguarder
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- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:21 pm
- Location: London
Re: Clutch on its way out?
When mine started going, in higher gears (3rd 4th 5th) slam your foot to the floor and the car will rev, then it will catch up with itself
Mainly noticable on the motorway, foot hard to the floor and see if the car revs without it actually going any quicker, if you get me
If it does this, then your clutch is going
Apparently you can also try it by pulling off in 3rd gear with no "gas" pedal, just lef the clutch out slowly
The car should stall if the clutch is ok, if the car pulls off without stalling, your clutch is on its way out
Mainly noticable on the motorway, foot hard to the floor and see if the car revs without it actually going any quicker, if you get me
If it does this, then your clutch is going
Apparently you can also try it by pulling off in 3rd gear with no "gas" pedal, just lef the clutch out slowly
The car should stall if the clutch is ok, if the car pulls off without stalling, your clutch is on its way out
- blazeguarder
- Gold Member
- Posts: 701
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:21 pm
- Location: London
Re: Clutch on its way out?
Ok, thanks for the info, I'll take it for a drive tomorrow and try those suggestions out. It needs to go to the dealers anyway for knackered rear bushes but I'd like to have some idea of the problem before they start quoting me silly money to 'investigate the problem sir.' They really grind my gears sometimes...
- blazeguarder
- Gold Member
- Posts: 701
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:21 pm
- Location: London
Re: Clutch on its way out?
Tried the pulling off in third gear thing and managed to get it going without stalling. Went for a blast on some fast roads and it doesn't seem to be picking up as sharply as before either. The gearchange seems to have loosened up a bit after the fast roads though, so the mystery continues.
Booked in at the dealers on Monday so hopefully they can sort it out!
Booked in at the dealers on Monday so hopefully they can sort it out!
- blazeguarder
- Gold Member
- Posts: 701
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:21 pm
- Location: London
Re: Clutch on its way out?
Update: car went to the dealers today. The chief mechanic took it for a spin and reckoned that it was the gear linkage that needed adjusting. Good as new now for only £60 odd. Result!
