Is my clutch about to go?

the182guy

Hi all,

I have a 51 plate (2002) Renault Clio II with about 70500 miles on the clock. I've just started having a problem with the clutch or gears.

When it's in 4th or 5th gear and I slowly press the accelerator in to speed up the engine revs up to about 4000 for a few seconds and I ease off the accelerator slightly, it drops to normal revs and slowly speeds up, if I add some power again it happens again. This only seems to happen in 4th or 5th gear.

For example when joining a motorway I need to speed up, this is a prime example of it happening. When I finally (slowly) get up to normal speed on a motorway and in 5th gear there is no problem.

I've had a look around and it sounds like the clutch is 'slipping'. Anyone got any other ideas? From a bit of searching I've seen that a new clutch would be around £250 or so, is that about right?

olilovespies

Hi Mate,

The best test for clutch integrity is to find an empty street and try to set off in 4th gear. Make sure the revs are around 4k when you try to set off. If the car doesn't stall almost instantly, and the engine needs to sound very heavily laboured- the clutch is going. I had my clutch replaced about 2 years ago on a similar french car (pug 106) and it cost around £210 inc. VAT. Any price between £200-£250 would be good, but make sure to phone around local independent garages to see what prices you can get.

A good guide to diagnosing clutch slipping is on www. autoeducation. com/blog/drivetrain/how-to-check-your-clutch/ (can't post links yet.)

Hope all goes well and doesn't cost you too much!

rev_henry

Yup, sounds like the clutch is slipping. Aforementioned prices sound about right. Have a ring round to see where's cheapest.

the182guy

Thanks rev_henry and olilovespies. I will try the 4th gear test.

One mechanic has said if the clutch is about to go then I will smell burning. Does anyone associate a burning smell with a failing clutch?

Had a few quotes: £250-300 from independant, £320 from a chain. Waiting for a coulple to ring back.

cajef

the182guy wrote: »

Does anyone associate a burning smell with a failing clutch?

If you give it enough revs you will soon know whether a burning smell is associated with a slipping clutch, watch out for the smoke as it burns as well.:rotfl:

catflea

the182guy wrote: »

One mechanic has said if the clutch is about to go then I will smell burning. Does anyone associate a burning smell with a failing clutch?

Dont take the car there....................................

aqueoushumour01

mine started to smell, and rev put not actually pull after changing gear until it had a few seconds to settle down- garage diagnosed it as the clutch that had gone

cyclonebri1

the182guy wrote: »

Hi all,

I have a 51 plate (2002) Renault Clio II with about 70500 miles on the clock. I've just started having a problem with the clutch or gears.

When it's in 4th or 5th gear and I slowly press the accelerator in to speed up the engine revs up to about 4000 for a few seconds and I ease off the accelerator slightly, it drops to normal revs and slowly speeds up, if I add some power again it happens again. This only seems to happen in 4th or 5th gear.

For example when joining a motorway I need to speed up, this is a prime example of it happening. When I finally (slowly) get up to normal speed on a motorway and in 5th gear there is no problem.

I've had a look around and it sounds like the clutch is 'slipping'. Anyone got any other ideas? From a bit of searching I've seen that a new clutch would be around £250 or so, is that about right?

From what you say it is almost certain that the clutch is on the way out. Had it been lower mileage there could have been other issues, although clutches can be screwed at any mileage by incorrect use, Renault do have problems with clutch return spring on some models.

Price seems fair, you may or may not get a smell of burning, if you plant your foot when it does slip you will definately get the smell/butn out the clutch.

Hand in pocket time

the182guy

catflea wrote:

Dont take the car there....................................

What makes you say that? Does it sound like he doesn't know what he's on about?

aqueoushumour01 wrote:

mine started to smell, and rev put not actually pull after changing gear until it had a few seconds to settle down- garage diagnosed it as the clutch that had gone

Thanks, that sounds just like my problem except I haven't noticed a smell yet. Mine won't pull until the revs drop to normal (about 2 seconds after applying power)

cyclonebri1 wrote:

From what you say it is almost certain that the clutch is on the way out. Had it been lower mileage there could have been other issues, although clutches can be screwed at any mileage by incorrect use, Renault do have problems with clutch return spring on some models.

Price seems fair, you may or may not get a smell of burning, if you plant your foot when it does slip you will definately get the smell/butn out the clutch.

Hand in pocket time

Thanks, a large proportion of the mileage is motorway miles (approx 25k). I'm not sure whether to spend the money or upgrade it. It also needs two new tyres and tax renewal and MOT next month. It has other problems aswell like faulty outside temp gauge, broken wing mirror, leaky sunroof. If I do spend the money I'll be gutted if it fails MOT on something else.

catflea

the182guy wrote: »

What makes you say that? Does it sound like he doesn't know what he's on about?

Frankly, Yes. I've never had a clutch that smells when its reached the end of its life.

rev_henry

catflea wrote: »

Frankly, Yes. I've never had a clutch that smells when its reached the end of its life.

Yes, usually only smells when a learner tries to do a hill start, or you accidentally try to take off in 3rd or something like that.