Problem with new clutch

laurapixelheart

Hi,
I had a new clutch fitted on my car in January. I'm a pretty good driver, don't ride the clutch and don't race over speed bumps etc.

A couple of days ago my car started clunking and almost grating when I put my foot on the gas pedal and when I change gears. I'm assuming the clutch has been knocked loose or was never fitted properly (it's heavy to put into gear) I've done less than 300 miles since it's been changed.

Would the garage fix it for free under the clutches warranty if it was a faulty clutch? It's less than 5 months old and I'm hardly a boy racer ragging the hell out of my car. I only use it to take my son to preschool/go to work! I don't honestly have the money to pay out for a new one as we have a mass of other expenses this month.

Thanks.

laurapixelheart

Ooh thought I would add I have a 1994 nissan sunny.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Might be adjustable if its a cable operated design...could even be the cable shredding/seizing if its getting stiff to operate.

If hydraulic it might have a leak, need bleeding, have a faulty slave or master cylinder.

Could be an internal fault, something has slipped or bent/broken in the mechanism, clutch itself or pedal/release lever.

Either way you'll have to take it back to the workshop and get them to have a look at it.
Hopefully it will be an easy fix.

Fortunately your car is simple and easy to work on, should be a cheap fix even if its nothing to do with the clutch itself (warranted).

laurapixelheart

Thanks! I wanted to check that the clutch as still under warranty.
Perks of having an old rustbucket, it's always been fairly cheap to fix.
I was thinking it was a leak but the father in law looked over and said there was no leaking but the clutch looked a bit suss.

Thanks will take it down there tomorrow and get them to look at it! Typically always happens before a holiday!

laurapixelheart

Hi, so the garage that normally does everything and fitted the clutch is closed for 2 weeks.
Took it to kwik fit and it's something wrong with the clutch.

Would I be able to get them to fix it then bill back to the original garage as they are closed and I've been told it wasn't fitted correctly.
Or will I have to wait for the original garage to reopen so they can fix it under warranty?

Need the car fixed before the end of the week as we go on holiday next week.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Kwik Fit is not the place for this, you already know there's something wrong with the clutch, if you let them work on it chances are you'll need new discs and pads all round, and 4 new shock absorbers too, which they'll happen to notice whilst doing the job.

Did your FiL say what he thought the problem was, ''a bit suss'' isn't much to go on.

If it had been fitted badly it would probably have shown up immediately, not 5 months down the line.

If you really must get it sorted i'd find a proper little garage preferably by recommendation of a friend, and get them to look at it, if not there mus be someone in your aquaintance that works on their own cars...i don't mean just about copes with an oil and air filter change.

I doubt you will have any joy billing the original garage, presumably a one man operation as shut for 2 weeks.

colino

You have no chance of having KF "repair" your car then billing someone else to get payment. Unfortunately the garage is on holiday and you have to decide if you want another, friendly, independent garage to assess it, or wait for the garage to reopen. If your anxious, you will have to pay someone else to assess and it may be entirely unrelated to the clutch change anyway.
In the kindest possible way, don't be guided by a well meaning person who pops their head under the bonnet and declares a new clutch, "suss".

martinthebandit

Just like to add a bit of general advice;

'If you was a top class mechanic who really knew his/her stuff would you be working for quick fit or similar?'

arcon5

No you wouldn't have grounds to pass on the bill to them if you don't give them opportunity to inspect or remedy.

Also kwik fit says there is something wrong with the clutch, this doesn't automatically make the garage liable- you need to know the problem and importantly the cause - and in light of the garage not being able to inspect I doubt you'd win by default.

Take it to a proper garage not the likes of kwik fitters acting salesman

arcon5

Also how does a clutch 'look a bit suss' it's enclosed. Feel suspect maybe

Ransoman

On a car of that age it really could be anything. I wouldn't blame the clutch so quickly.

A knock when applying throttle and changing gear could easily be an engine mount or excessive movement in the exhaust. Get a good independant garage (read: NOT quickfit) to have a look and diagnose it. Don't mention anything about the clutch being changed. If it is the clutch, they will be able to tell you that without you telling them.