New Clutch At Only 22,600 Miles!

[markleigh]

Car began to judder when pulling away so took it in to have it checked last Thursday. Garage recommended software download - which was carried out the next day. Then they reported that the fault was actually the clutch ; needs a new one at £650 approx fitted!!!!

- And for a car that's done this low milage since March 05 (used for mainly long runs not town driving).

Needless to say, I've written and emailed Citroen for an explanation, citing poor design / substandard quality of the clutch - and asking how they will remedy the situation...

[raveydavey]

It would seem this is a common problem with the senso-drive.

 

If you look at the AutoTrader website it seems that it is not unknown for the gearbox to simply give up the ghost!

 

Is your clutch not under warranty? I appreciate that it could be classed as a "wearable" item but at this age / mileage I'd be looking to Citroen to cover the cost in full.

 

I would ring Citroen rather than e-mailing them - my experience suggests that it can be a couple of weeks before they respond, which is no good in your situation.

[Guest CE05LDB]

Mine is an 05 reg but I had mine in April 2005. Mine dosen't change gears as smoothly as it used to. But still great on fuel. I get a 120 miles to a quater of a tank on short trips a week and 150 to a quater of a tank on a long run. Mine is nearly on 15,000 miles.

 

You should try having my brothers C3. His has been playing up since day one. I was driving it the other day in town and I was in a middle of a funeral as town was busy and the next thing I lost power no gears in either Auto or manual mode luckily I managed to pull it into a lane as I would have felt stupid blocking this persons funeral, How embarrassing.

 

I don't drive it unless I have to now. His do drink fuel like no tomorrow. His is the new style C3 Sensodrive.

[markleigh]

Got reply from Citroen in a week.

Standard letter - "It's a wearable item blah blah blah blah".

I can take it in for an inspection but will have to pay for this whatever the result.

Think I'll have to do this as gear take-up is getting worse by the week...

[Guest CE05LDB]

I am used to mine now. The un smooth gear changes arn't major for me.

 

My Brothers car is dangerous. It can cut out any time it wants. Citroen dealer can't find nothing wrong with it.

 

Have you got the Exclusive Sensodrive like myself or SX or XTR?

[markleigh]

No - just the SX 70hp version

[Guest CE05LDB]

Oh right. I nearly had the 1.4i 16v SX Sensodrive. My brothers C3 stalled yesterday and rolled back luckily there was not a car behind.

 

I wouldn't have minded having the Diesel C3 Sensodrive but I couldn't afford the Motability Deposit for one so I went for the 1.6i 16v Sensodrive Exclusive which is nil deposit on Motability.

[markleigh]

Booked car in for Jan 7 for inspection.

My main dealer Lovekyns in Ewell, Surrey went out of business this month - so am taking it to TFL in Wimbledon.

Will keep ypu posted.

Mark

[Guest CE05LDB]

Have you had new breaks yet Mark? I am booking mine in after New Year as when I am driving at low speeds and breaking the breaks are sounding like metal against metal. Mine is just over 15,000 miles

[markleigh]

No - brakes seem fine...

(now where's that wood i need to touch...)

M

 

PS Am thinking of selling car in spring if anyone's interested - clutch will be resolved one way or another by then.

March 2005 Sx Hdi Sensodrive.

By then, prob 27k/28k miles

Perfect condition.

Extras = black paint; electric glass sunroof; rear parking sensors

[smokescreen]

Hi Mark,

 

I've been looking at your progress on the clutch issue. I too have a 1.4 HDI Sensodrive (one of the last available prior to revamp to C3 2) purchased mid Oct 2005 (55 plate) and wondered whether this could be a problem waiting to happen with mine. I commute 120 round trip every day and have already done 34000 miles in 14 months. Clutch juddered once in first week I had it but since then, touch wood, it's been OK. Only warranty work needed was a new seal/gasket between rear of turbo and manifold/cylinder head as oily/sooty mess was being deposited over head and turbo. Mechanic broke a plastic lug on top engine cover during 20000 service but it was replaced free of charge after ordering a replacement. Best of luck with the clutch.

 

Regards

Smokescreen

aka Mark !!

[Guest CE05LDB]

I am taking my C3 in tomorrow to have the breaks looked at. They are still sounding like metal against metal.

[Guest CE05LDB]

Had new breaks as they were nearly metal against metal. I knew they were. I had 1,000 miles left on them max.

 

There was a problem though while I was there. I had a new tyre recently and Kwik Fit had tightened the nuts to hard and the Citroen Dealer couldn't undo it so they had to hammer it out which took 20 minutes you could hear the banging all over the garage they managed to get the wheel off but my locking wheel nut was destroyed. Bloody Kwik Fit. :huh:

[markleigh]

Car in a garage week for inspection and fitting new clutch - replaced f.o.c under citroen warranty due to manufacturing defect (or similar). Phew!

[wozza]

Did they give you the money back for the inspection fee?

 

If not tell them you want it back as well.

 

Seems there is a few of us with citroens at moment with clutches going. Few C4 owners who have had similar problems lot of us have had to have clutches replaced. All funnily enough 05 models.

[markleigh]

Inspection free as well (I hadn't paid in advance for it). All seems well.

Car went to TFL in Wimbledon; very pleased with service there.

[markleigh]

Postscript...

Went back to TFL at Wimbledon for the car's 2 yr service. Again, very pleased with the garage. They dealt with two more warranty items - two small oil leaks spotted from the gearbox and head gasket.

Very courteous, quick and car valeted.

Now for another year's motoring...

Mark

[markleigh]

Did they give you the money back for the inspection fee?

 

If not tell them you want it back as well.

 

Seems there is a few of us with citroens at moment with clutches going. Few C4 owners who have had similar problems lot of us have had to have clutches replaced. All funnily enough 05 models.