Some advice on purchase of a new car

wizzywig27

Hi all

Hoping someone could help me, I have just purchased a second hand car from a dealer, there are a few things I am not sure on, they may be nothing, they may be something, so if anyone could offer advice it would be appreciated...

1) when the clutch is pressed there is a very apparent clicking noise coming from the engine (although the OH says it is more from underneath).

2) When it is put into reverse, it makes a grinding/crunching noise.

The gear changes seem smooth, and the clutch seems ok, not to spongy or hard to press, but I do think the clutch is about to go, and if that is the case then obviously it is back to the dealer

GwylimT

What car is it and how old and how many miles?

motorguy

wizzywig27 wrote: »

Hi all

Hoping someone could help me, I have just purchased a second hand car from a dealer, there are a few things I am not sure on, they may be nothing, they may be something, so if anyone could offer advice it would be appreciated...

1) when the clutch is pressed there is a very apparent clicking noise coming from the engine (although the OH says it is more from underneath).

2) When it is put into reverse, it makes a grinding/crunching noise.

The gear changes seem smooth, and the clutch seems ok, not to spongy or hard to press, but I do think the clutch is about to go, and if that is the case then obviously it is back to the dealer

Have you tried putting the car into first, then reverse? Sometimes gears need to be 'lined up' as it were.

Also, whats the 'bite' point on the clutch? Is it very close to the floor? Do you have to 'think' about each clutch depression, or is it light and natural?

wizzywig27

motorguy wrote: »

Have you tried putting the car into first, then reverse? Sometimes gears need to be 'lined up' as it were.

Also, whats the 'bite' point on the clutch? Is it very close to the floor? Do you have to 'think' about each clutch depression, or is it light and natural?

hello, if it is 1st then into reverse the crunching is not as bad.

The bite point is not bad, nowhere near the floor, about mid point. I would say it is light and natural, although sometimes the gears do seem to want to go into gear, so to speak, and this can cause a light bumping noise.

It is a ford Fiesta 54 plate done 91k

GwylimT

Is the clutch mechanical or electric? Are we talking diesel or petrol?

wizzywig27

GwylimT wrote: »

Is the clutch mechanical or electric? Are we talking diesel or petrol?

Sorry, it is petrol and mechanical clutch.

GwylimT

wizzywig27 wrote: »

Sorry, it is petrol and mechanical clutch.

They can sometimes feel a little bit clicky so I wouldn't worry too much, it is most likely that you can feel and hear the mechanisms in the car.

wizzywig27

this is not just feeling clicky, its actually hearing it, quite loudly. sometimes it does it, other times it doesn't

moneyspendexpert

wizzywig27 wrote: »

this is not just feeling clicky, its actually hearing it, quite loudly. sometimes it does it, other times it doesn't

could be the clutch cable that needs attention.

TheLastMongoose

I dont know about the clicking noise, sounds a bit odd! But I have had 2 fiestas and both were a bit fussy when going in to reverse. My first was an S reg and the second a 57 plate. I believe its a common problem.

TradePro

GwylimT wrote: »

Is the clutch mechanical or electric?

Is it just me, or is anyone else unfamiliar with an electric clutch? (on an early-ish Fiesta at least...)

Some Fiesta's have an auto adjusting ratchet mechanism on the clutch cable, quite a cheap fix if that's playing up.