Clutch Gone?

[DesdinovaUK2]

Put the car in for it's first MOT yesterday, but when I picked it up I noticed the clutch was stiffer than normal.

 

Got home, did the school run, then went out in the car yesterday evening, arrived at a junction, dipped the clutch and loud BANG followed by car jerking forward and stalling. When I started up again and tried to drive away, the car would only creep forward when the clutch was fully raised.

 

Eventually recovered to Wilmoths in Folkestone. They were stripping the clutch down this afternoon - after checking cable and other "visual" faults. Warranty runs out on Saturday - but they are not sure what has caused the problem yet. I'm advised if it's mechanical failure, warranty covers it, if it's just wear and tear it doesn't.....

[Johndouglas]

"Wear & tear" would show with the car being reluctant to accelerate although the engine revs would increase. Eventually, the car just wouldn't move. It sounds as though something has snapped, either cable or 'fingers'. IMO you should have a good chance of getting it done under warranty.

[DesdinovaUK2]

And the answer is - wear and tear!

[Johndouglas]

And the answer is - wear and tear!

Did they give more details? If not, I would start arguing.

What car is it? How many miles?

[Terry1100]

I agree - sudden catastrophic failure following a "bang" does not sound like "wear & tear" to me.

 

I'd be looking for a more specific diagnosis - and sight of the failed components.

 

Getting a warranty claim out of components that are generally subject to wear (brakes, clutch, tyres etc) is difficult. But if you can show failure rather than wear then they shouldn't be able to wriggle out.

[hertsnminds]

Seeing as a clutch can last anything from 40,000 to over 100,000 miles depending upon driving style get them to show you how warn the warn part is compared to a new one.

 

If you know you slip the clutch a lot of have lots of hill starts, then maybe the clutch parts are warn. If you have a low milage car and know you do not abuse the clutch get a 2nd and 3rd opinion (maybe from the AA or another motoring organisation).

 

I would always be suspicious of a failure just after work has been done on the car even if it was just an MOT.

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[tronboy]

Absolutely. Clutches shouldn't fail, they just wear out.

 

At the very least, they should replace under warranty and then charge you a reasonable surcharge for the amount of actual wear on the plate. Threaten with AA, Auto Express, this forum, trading standards and say you're a mate of a credible but not totally famous motoring writer who'll blast their name and that of Citroen all over the popular press. I always use Zog Ziegler.... But then I do actually know him.

 

If it's just the cable, that won't be covered, but it should be a cheap repair. That wouldn't account for the sudden stiffness though.