C3 Terrible Clutch Judder When Moving Off

[citroenbabe]

Hi, newbie here so please be gentle with me :blink:

 

I've recently bought an 05 C3 1.4 Desire with 12,000m on the clock, and I love it. Well, all except the clutch problem anyway!

 

Basically I get a shocking judder, the whole front of the car shakes violently. It's not always as bad though, it seems to vary. It's practically every time I drive it, always when pulling away from a standstill, so when parked, or at junctions.

 

My dad thinks its me as "it's a heavier car than your previous one (a Pug 206) so needs to be treated more gently, just take it slowly, you are too snappy with your clutch", but I've driven another C3, my partner's Mondeo and indeed my 6 previous cars and have never had this problem (I'm 26 and have been driving since 17 so there's no issue there!).

 

I approached the dealer and they said they could look at if I wanted but it would cost best part of £100. If it was proved there was a fault it would be covered under guarantee, but if not I'm lumbered with a bill. Surely they can't charge me for guarantee work?

 

Anyway, first questions first - is it me or is it a fault?

 

Any advice would be gratefully received?

[hertsnminds]

You can not replicate this fault on any other car you drive or have ever driven BUT can anyone you know replicate the fault on your car.

 

Can your dad or partner or even better someone at the garage make it judder in the way you describe?

 

If a problem can be replicated at will then it is much easier to diagnose. For example do you only get the judder under a certain number of revs?

 

How is the car on hill starts or when held on the clutch moving off when on an incline?

 

The more information you can give the garage the less likely you will have to pay. Especially if someone at the garage can make the car judder.

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[kfk]

Might add, that clutches in general are not covered by warranty unless a manufacturing defect can be determined. Considering the vehicle has only recently come into your ownership i dont suppose your in a position to say if it has been driven carefully during its 1st 12,000 miles.

I would consider it a gamble for any customer who is told it will be covered by warranty if a warranty defect is found.....in my experience you have a high chance of being responsible for costs, and you accept that responsibility when you ask them to investigate the fault.

 

Have sent you a PM

[gerrysom]

Might add, that clutches in general are not covered by warranty unless a manufacturing defect can be determined. Considering the vehicle has only recently come into your ownership i dont suppose your in a position to say if it has been driven carefully during its 1st 12,000 miles.

I would consider it a gamble for any customer who is told it will be covered by warranty if a warranty defect is found.....in my experience you have a high chance of being responsible for costs, and you accept that responsibility when you ask them to investigate the fault.

 

Have sent you a PM

[Guest Peter Robinson]

Hello there

 

I have experienced some clutch judder in reverse gear and less occasionally in first gear during most of the five years I have owned the car from new, but I put it down to my driving. I have done about 22K miles which is less than half the average.

 

However, the car went in for service on Wednesday. Later that day I was informed that the clutch had almost worn out which was a big surprise. The point is they must have been on the look out for a worn clutch because I had not told them about the juddering, and I am told it is not possible to see unusual wear during a normal service check.

 

Talking to a taxi driver this morning was illuminating. He says it could be a design problem with too much load upsetting the alignment so that the clutch does its job without slipping but grinding away part of it. He said Citroen probably know about the design fault but do not want to make a recall.

 

It is costing me £670 and I will be writing to Citroen. Any help gratefully appreciated.

 

Peter