About to replace my clutch, and convert to a SMF at the same time.

It seems the SMF conversion kit available from Valeo is not compatible with the 4x4 despite the same BKC engine code

Really annoying, as I'd had no trouble sourcing a Valeo conversion kit, and even Valeo themselves reckoned it was compatible.

My local motor factors (Pentland automotive) queried this as the 4x4 didn't show up as compatible in their catalogue.

Another call to Valeo, and they double checked. Not compatible.

Yet Eurocarparts reckon they've sold both LUK and Valeo kits to 4x4 owners, and that it is fully compatible

Grrrrr

Hope this info is useful to someone, or that someone can contradict me !

Spoken to LUK, who do not do an SMF and I'm about to speak to Sachs

Edited 22 December, 201015 yr by Monkeyboyo

Just found genuine LUK Clutch kit, Slave cylinder and DMF new at a motor factors for £357 inc vat.

Add that to £180+vat for labour charge at a VW specialist, and the total fitted price comes in at £559.

Not bad considering the clutch alone costs £650 fitted at Skoda

Fitting a new clutch without a new flywheel would seem foolish and shortsighted to me, so intending to do both

Depends if you're getting flywheel judder/movement or not?

And you're sure you have an LUK clutch in there at the moment?

Depends if you're getting flywheel judder/movement or not?

And you're sure you have an LUK clutch in there at the moment?

Got no symptoms other than a temperamental clutch, but with 87K on the clock, I figure its time to replace the DMF

too regardless of the fact there's no symptoms of DMf failure.

I would hate to couple a new clutch with an old DMF and have to do the whole job again in future.

AIUI, if i do both at the same time, it won't matter whether its currently an LUK or Sachs

I was told by the Skoda dealer that it does matter. When replacing the complete setup with another DMF, you still need to keep to the type originally installed. I didn't ask why, as I was actually asking them about a SMF conversion at the time!

If Valeo themselves say it should be OK, why not ask Valeo to sort it out as a testbed case? You never know, you might find they offer to do it with free labour. Not harm in trying!

Mike

Thanks for that useful info Mike !.

Can't see why it would matter what was originally installed if you're replacing the whole lot

Tis a minefield out there, trying to work out probabilities amongst contradictory info !

Gotta hope its an LUK if thats the case, as them Sachs clutches/DMF's seem a whole lot more expensive at Eurocarparts.

Oh, you'll be pleased to know that if you had the 4 piece system put in, you would have had a new concentric slave cylinder included in that.

Peace of mind for you !

If Valeo themselves say it should be OK, why not ask Valeo to sort it out

Valeo don't reckon its ok, although it was only on the 2nd phonecall, when i asked about compatibility with a 6 speed box that they realised they were wrong

Edited 23 December, 201015 yr by Monkeyboyo

I'm not convinced because you can get SMF conversion kits for the 2.0TDI which has a 6 speed box in as standard.

The plot thickens, and my brain hurts :think:

Edited 24 December, 201015 yr by Monkeyboyo

The only explanation i can think of is that as the 2.0 has a standard 6 speed box, they produced a suitable SMF conversion for that model.

In contrast, the 1.9 4x4 6 speed was a rare car (produced in only small numbers in relation to the standard model) so there was no economic sense in

producing an SMF conversion for that in addition to the standard 5 speed

Just to bounce this, did you ever get to the bottom of what kit to use?