Does my nearly new car really need a new clutch?

AdrianC

burlington6 wrote: »

Nobody on here has teh right to comment on a vehicle they've never seen.

Might as well just close this forum down, then.

Back to the actual problem... If it's not slipping, it's not worn out.

If the biting point is higher than you'd expect, and it's always been like that from new, then either a cable self-adjuster is not playing properly, something's not seated right, there's something else needs adjustment (some hydraulic clutches have adjustable pushrods), or your expectations just need a little recalibration...

Unless it's RIGHT at the end of the travel, I'd go with the latter, especially if you only drive it infrequently and usually drive something else.

jimmy_cricket

Thanks AdriaC, that's the kind of advice I was looking for, it is definitely not slipping. I wish that the garage had said this, rather than it needs a new clutch for 870 quid. However, others that have driven the car, my brother and another friend have all said the clutch does not feel right. I guess I need to find a trusted mechanic to give a definitive opinion. If it does need work, then fine and I'm not going to take on nissan trying to get a warranty repair, I had enough problems getting the service pack transferred from my late mother to my daughter.

force_ten

Why did the dealer say it needs a new clutch did he say the problem was being caused by a worn clutch plate

the symptoms that you describe is a very high biting point and you also said it has always been like this, listening to what you say i would be very wary spending money replacing a clutch

does the clutch slip at all ?

one way to test this is start the car pull the hand brake well on put the car in first gear and slowly let the clutch out, if the clutch is slipping you will feel it and if the clutch plate is good the car will quickly stall

I would say get a second opinion on it before spending any money on a clutch

jimmy_cricket

@ force ten, the clutch does not slip and my daughter can manage to stall it easily. This is the other problem with the clutch, other than the high bite - it feels very on/off and very little between the two, if this makes sense. The garage didn't give any information about the issue, other than to say needs new clutch, user error. I was frankly too shocked to ask any questions on the issue and felt immediately that this was a try on, so kind of just left the garage.
It's a one year old nissan micra with just over 4k on the clock

bod1467

My dad used to have a Micra (many many years ago - E reg). I remember that having a very light clutch with a high bite point, and little travel required to engage. So maybe it's just something typical of Micras?

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

jimmy_cricket wrote: »

@ force ten, the clutch does not slip and my daughter can manage to stall it easily. This is the other problem with the clutch, other than the high bite - it feels very on/off and very little between the two, if this makes sense. The garage didn't give any information about the issue, other than to say needs new clutch, user error. I was frankly too shocked to ask any questions on the issue and felt immediately that this was a try on, so kind of just left the garage.
It's a one year old nissan micra with just over 4k on the clock

So under warranty.

We've had our Golf for 70 of its 85k miles. It has had two learner drivers and ANOther who normally drives an automatic and basically is not good with gears - clutch still going strong - gear box a bit ropey, but clutch is fine!

To destroy a clutch in 4k miles you are talking extreme abuse that anyone would have been aware of.

force_ten

www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/nissan/micra

a quick look and you will see a lot of the minus points are regarding clutch problems with the Micra and very high biting point is mentioned

I would go to a nissan dealer and ask if the clutch can be adjusted to be more forgiving, but from what you are saying it seems that the clutch plate is ok and what you have got is a very fierce clutch that gets to biting point and grabs with very little slip

as you say you can manage it but an inexperienced driver finds it easy to stall, if it is a fierce clutch plate and they cant adjust it i would just say try and live with it

jimmy_cricket

Thanks.
@force ten, this is what I asked the dealer and thought, as you say, they would either ajust or say no can do, it's a characteristic. What I didn't expect was for them to say new clutch, £870 please.

I've just sent an email to nissan UK so see what they say, but imagine they will back the dealer.

force_ten

jimmy_cricket wrote: »

Thanks.
@force ten, this is what I asked the dealer and thought, as you say, they would either ajust or say no can do, it's a characteristic. What I didn't expect was for them to say new clutch, £870 please.

I've just sent an email to nissan UK so see what they say, but imagine they will back the dealer.

I take this was a Nissan main dealer ?

if so i would take the car to another dealer for a second opinion, a quick google seems to suggest that the micra clutch can have a high biting point but i am not sure if it can be adjusted or if it is something that you have got to live with

let us know what Nissan UK have to say when they get back to you

jimmy_cricket

Yes a Nissan main dealer, but not the one where the car was bought - at the other end of the country.

Will do on the nissan response