Hi all

 

The clutch on my 2011 Skoda Octavia Scout is starting to slip a little bit when I pull away in first gear on hills. It's done 101,000 miles, so not too bad I suppose. However, I have several questions if anyone can help.

 

1) What sort of cost is a new clutch likely to be? (Won't be going main dealer, but decent independent - would like to know how bad it could be!)

2) Is there anything else worth doing to save time and money while the clutch is being done? Car is due a cam belt fairly soon too, but I'd imagine there wouldn't be much time saved doing this at the same time as cam belt and clutch are at opposite ends of the engine block..?

3) Given that the clutch is only slipping a little bit (e.g. if I rev hard in 2nd or 3rd, the engine speed won't increase without a  corresponding increase in road speed), how much longer might it be before the clutch gets really bad and has to be replaced? Presumably I won't damage anything apart from the clutch by driving it? I drive fairly gently, and don't think I'm hard on clutches.

 

Thanks.

Sounds more like sticky hydraulics, a failing clutch will always manifest itself in the highest gears first on full throttle at peak torque.

 

It might also be a contamination problem and the heat from you slipping the clutch on a hill start is causing the problem, try using a few less revs and getting your foot off the pedal as soon as you can.

 

Maybe get a second opinion?

Thanks JR, I didn't know sticky hydraulics were a thing, just assumed it was a clutch problem. I wlil try fewer revs and dropping the clutch.

 

Anyone know of a way to check if it's a clutch problem or something else? Ideally without going to a garage... Will go and search on here.

It certainly sounds like a slipping clutch, its just a worn clutch would not normally manifest itself in the manner you describe.

 

I am reluctant to describe my sure method of testing a clutch for efficiency because it puts a lot of load on it and if done incorrectly and without instant reactions, all of which are only  learned by experience it will increase the wear.

£400-600 for a clutch

best to go for a full kit that includes the DMF unless you have history that the DMF has been recently changed, should cost around £750 from an independent for a full kit which includes everything.

Thanks all. DMF (if I have one) has never been changed to my knowledge. Will see if I can make it slip (or not) in other gears.

Put it in 3rd gear at idle With the hand brake on

and slowly let the clutch out

if it stalls the clutch is ok 

try again with a few more revs

if it doesn’t stall it’s a clutch problem 

In my experience my worn clutch was juddery when setting off (not clattery DMF) and I could hear a low rumbling when foot to the floor in 3rd which would be slight slipping.  That got progressively worse where the engine RPM would rise slightly before the clutch got hot and gripped again.

 

Unless you put heavy load on the clutch I'm sure it could last thousands of miles more, when you hear high pitched squealing of clutch plate rivets it's time to replace things!

Thanks chaps.

 

After a bit more testing, it doesn't seem to be slipping too badly. Hopefully there's a bit more life in the clutch, as it needs a cambelt and a service too.

 

 I'll keep driving it and see what happens!