Hi all,

I purchased a 2001 Octy Elegance Estate with 60k on the clock 3days ago. I've the car booked into a Skoda dealership on 10th August for cambelt & pump replacement. The car has been performing great.......until today.

When taking off, a small judder can be felt when the clutch bites and lasts until just before full height when my foot is taken off the pedal. This has been happening all day, and the car generally feels 'heavy', and not as responsive.

It still accelerates and the turbo is smooth when it kicks in, its just not the same On my way home form work on the motorway, I could hear a dull whine while doing 70, it went up in pitch with more speed. Not sure where it was coming from, may have been the back left wheel, but also seemed to be coming from the engine area. Wheel bearings maybe ?

Had a further look when I arrived home. Car starts fine, and with the clutch engaged and gearstick in neutral, the car is very responsive when reving, even the slightest touch, just as it was when I picked it up. Now, when I let the clutch out again (gear still neutral) the revs are very slow to rise, and engine just isn't as responsive. Engine sound a bit harsher too. Clutch back in, and its perfect again.

Is my clutch on its way out ? :confused:

Cheers

Baz

I don't know if it is anything to do with it, but maybe get the gearbox oil changed or topped up.

That might help with the wine, esp if it is a bit low.

Could be something clutch related - pressure plate perhaps. Does it slip ? Try flooring it at low revs and low speed in 5th and listen out for slippage as the Rev's rise - keep an eye on the rev counter too.

Judder is probally warped clutch plates.The whine could be low oil in the gearbox. I would get gearbox oil level checked.

Could be something clutch related - pressure plate perhaps. Does it slip ? Try flooring it at low revs and low speed in 5th and listen out for slippage as the Rev's rise - keep an eye on the rev counter too.

Nope, it doesn't slip. I can floor it in any gear, revs rise steadily.

After reading many other posts about gearbox oil and the advantages it seems to give, I'll get that sorted first. Hopefully, it solves the problem.

Let us know if that doesn't solve it. I've a couple of other ideas too.

I've just had the gearbox oil changed and the mechanic mentioned that the stuff that came out was pretty manky, very thin also. Took just over 2ltrs of SAE 75W90 to fill the box to required level. Oil cost about

The box uses 2L of 75w-90 fully synthetic gear oil, I would just check he put the right stuff in

Glad it seems to have helped though.

Im also worried about maybe the same problem wen i floor it in first and second and third where u can really hear the turbo whooosh there is a stronge whine from the engine as the turbo really kicks it?

i had it re-mapped about 3months ago and affraid the power after that is 2 much for the clutch even tho the whine has only start in the last few weeks!

an ideas guys?

If the power is too much for the clutch you'll know, because the engine revs will rise faster than they should for the gear.

well i mean it still pulls well just that sometimes in like 1st of 2nd it feel like its revving its t*ts off far to quickly and im not even going anywhere?

Your map is possibly too much for your clutch IMHO.

Who did the map?

Agreed; that sounds like the map is too much for the lining and/or release spring.

The map was done by APS in Bracley, Oxford.

and wat is it that the lining and/or release spring does and how it effects it ?

Lining is a friction surface on the clutch, similar to a brake pad. It's the surface of the clutch plate that contacts the flywheel.

The release spring is a spring or bearing that applies pressure to the clutch plate from behind to keep it pushed onto the flywheel. If this goes weak then it will not hold the clutch allowing slip.

When you push the clutch down to change gear you are working against the spring to push the clutch plate away from the flywheel so you can change gear, then the spring pushes it back when you release the clutch. If you rest your foot on the clutch or keep it held down at lights instead of going into neutral you will wear it out much more quickly.

If either of these are gone it means your clutch can't grip the flywheel properly and is slipping.

I think APS know their stuff, so it would be worth asking them how aggressive the map is. Also if you're booting the car from low revs you're going to destroy the clutch or DMF pretty quickly.

If it has worn, I'm sure APS and other places can fit you an upgraded item.

I see, thanks for the help mate.