Failed clutch - no warranty cover?

[EcoAndy]

Hi, my clutch has failed after two years/20,000 miles, and Skoda are refusing to repair it under the warranty. I have driven for 30 years and have never had a clutch fail on me before. I do not use the car much at all around town, and most of the mileage is long distance. Is it normal for the clutch to go so quickly, and why isn't it covered under the warranty? The problem came on suddenly when the gears went stiff and then after a few miles wouldn't move into gear when I tried to change. I stopped, it cooled down, and then I was able to drive another 80 miles without a problem. The next time I drove about a week later the same thing happened, and then I took it to the dealer who said the clutch had gone. Am I just unlucky, or is this a common problem?

[wja96]

I'd get a second opinion.

Clutches are almost never covered by a warranty.

However, it does sound very unusual for a car with 20K on the clock to have a clutch go. Plus the symptoms you describe are not typical long-term-use clutch failure, rather they would point to something else being wrong. I would certainly talk to Skoda customer services about having the car looked at as you could change the clutch and then it could go again.

[AwesomeSarah]

Hi

I saw a woman drive a Fabia in to the garage with smoke buthering out from every single outlet and more

The clutch was so so wrong :(

She had done 1,400 miles in the car

Her clutch was not covered under warranty either

I used to do warranty claims for 2 Skoda dealers

No the clutch is not covered , or brakes or tyres

They are not covered for uprated ones either

No company really gives warranty on clutches for wear

The clutch is something that can be made to wear if wanted to

The hudraulic clutches these days can be worn out in a matter of miles

Like the lady I have just told you about , she swore she did not ride the clutch

But she did I am afraid :(

So no , it is not common issue , but it has been known

Sarah

[EcoAndy]

I'd get a second opinion.

Clutches are almost never covered by a warranty.

However, it does sound very unusual for a car with 20K on the clock to have a clutch go. Plus the symptoms you describe are not typical long-term-use clutch failure, rather they would point to something else being wrong. I would certainly talk to Skoda customer services about having the car looked at as you could change the clutch and then it could go again.

Ok, thanks for the advice - I may try to get an independent second opinion, but of course that will add to the cost. It did come on very suddenly, and seems to get better when it cools off a bit. One minute the gears won't budge from neutral, but after I've swtiched off the engine for a few minutes and then start it up again I can move the gear lever back into the gear again. There is also a bit of a burning smell. The garage quoted me £550 to replace the clutch. Looks like I may just have to lump it. It has rather shaken my faith in Skoda though...

[magic62]

Seems to me that there is a problem with the hydraulics.

Let them check fluid level and the hydraulics at the gearbox.

Dont think it is the clutch itself, but more the mechanics that engage/disengage the clutch.

If the clutch doesnt disengage properly, you wont be able to put the car in gear when standing. And changing will be a lot more problematic. (only adapting revs will help).

[bluecar1]

yep, seems like a hydralic issue, as if the clutch had gone you would not have been able to move after the car had cooled down,

was there any smell like burning friction lining?

did the feel of the clutch pedal change (get heavy?, lot of travel before clutch disengages?, )

any symptom like clutch slipping in 4th or 5th?

may be worth getting someone to bleed the clutch hydralic system

one another note, my octavia did 235,000 miles on the original clutch and my roomster i am up to 100,000 on the original clutch, but i do a lot of motorway driving, kent to cumbria tomorrow then back tuesday for then next 3 weeks (how to put 900 miles each trip on the car), that with the other trips i have got i will put over 4000 miles on the car in the next 3 weeks :o

peter

Edited 27 February, 2010 by bluecar1

[EcoAndy]

Hi Peter, Thanks for this. Yes, there was a burning smell. There were no other symptoms other than the gear getting very stiff on changing and then suddenly refusing to get into gear - ie. it got stuck at neutral when changing. It only got out of neutral again and into gear when I'd let the engine cool down for a few minutes. When it first did this I then drove on for about 80 miles with no further problem. When I next used the car about a week later changing the gears got very stiff again after about 2 miles, then got stuck in neutral. I pulled over, turned the engine off, then started it up a few minutes later and was able to engage the gear. I then decied to give up and take it to the dealer (with a nice RAC man by then following me). I managed to drive ok for another 2-3 miles till I got to the garage. There was no clutch slipping. The biting point did change though, and was almost to the floor. As you can tell, I am no expert on cars, but I do know that I have never had a clutch problem before, so doubt it is my driving style (although of course I know one can fall into bad habits without realising!). I just want to be sure that the wool isn't being pulled over my eyes here. Many thanks, Andy

[Calomax]

Hi Peter, Thanks for this. Yes, there was a burning smell. There were no other symptoms other than the gear getting very stiff on changing and then suddenly refusing to get into gear - ie. it got stuck at neutral when changing. It only got out of neutral again and into gear when I'd let the engine cool down for a few minutes. When it first did this I then drove on for about 80 miles with no further problem. When I next used the car about a week later changing the gears got very stiff again after about 2 miles, then got stuck in neutral. I pulled over, turned the engine off, then started it up a few minutes later and was able to engage the gear. I then decied to give up and take it to the dealer (with a nice RAC man by then following me). I managed to drive ok for another 2-3 miles till I got to the garage. There was no clutch slipping. The biting point did change though, and was almost to the floor. As you can tell, I am no expert on cars, but I do know that I have never had a clutch problem before, so doubt it is my driving style (although of course I know one can fall into bad habits without realising!). I just want to be sure that the wool isn't being pulled over my eyes here. Many thanks, Andy

Next time it would be worth pumping the clutch a few times. If it seems ok again it would prove there was air in the hydraulics. But if it doesn't improve, it wouldn't necessarily prove there is no air in the system.

[Paul MR]

Next time it would be worth pumping the clutch a few times. If it seems ok again it would prove there was air in the hydraulics. But if it doesn't improve, it wouldn't necessarily prove there is no air in the system.

If I were you, I'd take it to another Skoda Dealer/Garage and get another second or even third opinion. This is very early for clutch failure under NORMAL driving conditions for any vehicle.

On the other hand, if something else has failed connected to the clutch mechanism/actuator (DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURE) causing the clutch to give up, then you might have a claim under the manufacturers warranty. Let's hope it is, as Skoda will do their level best to wriggle out of any warranty claim especially when it's clutch orientated. Let me know how it turns out. I have a Fabia II 1.9TDI with just 7,000miles (under warranty) and already clutch problems are presenting themselves...not good for Skoda..

[vwcabriolet1971]

Since Skoda are reluctant to agree a clutch should last much longer under normal motoring you should take vehicle to independant garage and get clutch changed and ask them to inspect clutch parts . Keep the clutch parts as evidence. Ask garage also to inspect flywheel for any hairline cracks. I assume it is a DMF. Then hopefully you can claim for the repairs from Skoda with evidence to back it up. Otherwise I'm afraid it will be classed as "fair wear & tear"

[jasc1988]

go BANANAS!! Its the only way you'll get it done under warranty

[Mike Wrightson]

This doesn't sound like the clutch has failed, more like a hydraulics/gear selection problem. Don't let them just assume it's the clutch.

[Captain Scarlet]

I had a Fabia that began to struggle to get a gear. At one point I could only select 4th gear, and couldn't move the gear lever at all, whether the engine was running or not.

Dealer was insistent it was the clutch, but after replacing the gear cables and a reversing switch it was as good as new.

With 30 years experience you'll know what a failing clutch is like, speed and revs not rising at the right rates to each other...etc etc.