Hello all. For the last two-three months my 2001 Fabia TDi has frequently been juddering alarmingly from under the bonnet when accelerating from stop. It is particularly bad when performing a hill-start, when the road surface is wet, or when there is more than one passenger in the car (and becomes more severe with any of the above in combination). On a flat, dry surface it generally doesn't occur (providing I accelerate fairly cautiously) and I can often avoid it by being extremely ginger with the clutch (i.e. raise it past the biting point very, very slowly; like you would if starting in second gear).

Took it to Wilco yesterday but they were too busy to test it properly. They suggested the clutch might be worn and need replacing. Does the above description sound like a dodgy clutch, or could it be something else? I don't want to spend a fortune replacing it if it's not necessary.

Would be most grateful for any advice/experience before parting with wads of cash.

Cheers.

a worn clutch wouldnt do that i think.

my old micra the clutch was knackered when i got it the symptoms on that where extremely high position of the pedal to find a biting point and it wouldnt take a gear all the time. once it got changed found out the flywheel was sorced and the clutch was bare :S not very good.

might be worth while checking the turbo?

im probably wrong tho lol

yeah a worn clutch would do that... expecially when the fingers on the pressure plate have a groove worn into them by the release bearing.

another symtom of a worn clutch is funny smells and and slippingwhen giving it some power.

another symtom of a worn clutch is funny smells and slipping when giving it some power.

I have this but I think that's a combination of poor diet and well polished leather seats :rofl:

Chris

I have this but I think that's a combination of poor diet and well polished leather seats :rofl:

Chris

you best make sure that the re-circulate button is off when doing that otherwise you'll be able to smell it for the next week:rolleyes:

Sounds more like oil on the friction plate

how much is a replacement standard clutch/flywheel on a PD130 including labour out of interest?

For an octy it is about £300-400 iirc using OEM grade clutch kit and indy garage rates.

Sounds more like oil on the friction plate

It does have that sound

could be a dual mass flywheel fault , this could cause the vibration when accelerating especially if the clutch is juddering also

could be a dual mass flywheel fault , this could cause the vibration when accelerating especially if the clutch is juddering also

Agreed.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Appreciated.

Cheers.

I know it's been a couple of months since I posted this query, but thought you guys might appreciate some feedback on the problem, which has now been solved. After a number of independent garages diagnosed different possibilities (worn clutch, dirt on the cluthc plate, gearbox bearing, "something rubbing underneath" :eek: ) I decided to bite on the bullet and pay the

cheaper than a clutch repair ,so a bit of a result there

Whilst trying to find out possible causes for shifting problems in my wife's car, I came across this. It seems pretty helpful...

cheaper than a clutch repair ,so a bit of a result there

Indeed. I'm absolutely thrilled it's not a worn bearing in the gearbox. Christmas wouldn't be the best time to be having that sorted!

Now I'm off to shove the wasted

I thought I could put this question in this thread as its kinda related. Has anyone got any idea how long it should take to replace a 1.4 8v's Clutch? Its just that mine might have to go in to have it done and dont want to get ripped off with the labour charges with them billing me for twice the hours they actually need!

Could this happen on a new car?

I get a slight but noticeable rattle when I engage the clutch and occasionally when pulling away from low revs. I bought it from new earlier last year, and it's been doing it since new. It's worse from cold. Like the OP, I have to slip the clutch very gingerly to prevent it.