Clutch slipping or something else?

[mike74]

A couple of months back the clutch on my mums Citroen Nemo diesel was getting high and obviously slipping so she had a new clutch fitted.

It now feels like it's slipping again already, it's not noticeable in low gears but if say in 4th doing 40 up a slight hill and you try and put your foot down the revs definitely run away with no corresponding acceleration.

Is this definitely clutch slip or is it just driving style and the answer is to drop down a gear to 3rd?

If it is just a case of being in the wrong gear I would have expected the engine to lug rather than over rev?

[Mave]

If the revs go up and the car doesnt go faster then yes, the clutch is slipping. What was wrong with the old one? Worn material, or contaminated?

[Old Merc]

I would suggest you take the car back to the garage that replaced the clutch. the whole job must be under warranty.
Either the new clutch is faulty or they missed something that caused the original clutch to slip.

[KTMsm]

That's the definition of slip - they always slip first in the highest gear

I suspect they charged you for a new clutch but only adjusted it

[mike74]

Thanks for the replies, I am almost certain it is clutch slip but I just thought there might have been something else that could result in similar symptoms of a slipping clutch.

[Trackdayer]

Old Merc said:

I would suggest you take the car back to the garage that replaced the clutch. the whole job must be under warranty.
Either the new clutch is faulty or they missed something that caused the original clutch to slip.

+1

[Plymo]

KTMsm said:

That's the definition of slip - they always slip first in the highest gear

I suspect they charged you for a new clutch but only adjusted it

Downright fraud if they have done that!
Something like oil/grease contamination is possible, but yeah - if it's slipping like that after being replaced so recently then something is up! Take it back...

[jjones]

I had an audi tt where the clutch slave cylinder was screwed, same symptoms as a worn out clutch (slipping), something else to consider.

[MG CHRIS]

KTMsm said:

That's the definition of slip - they always slip first in the highest gear

I suspect they charged you for a new clutch but only adjusted it

Really on a hydraulic system that be pretty hard to do.

[KTMsm]

MG CHRIS said:

Really on a hydraulic system that be pretty hard to do.

It's pretty hard to make a new clutch slip too

[DailyHack]

I had a similar situation, I bought a car and in maybe 3/4th when I accelerated hard or under load up a hill, the revs would jump. Almost like the car was "kicking down" like an auto, but it's a manual.

So immediately thought it was a slipping clutch, as very similar sensation.

Turned out to be a very badly worn and slipping drive belt, when fully loaded it slipped and caused the revs to rise, once replaced all was fine.

[mike74]

DailyHack said:

I had a similar situation, I bought a car and in maybe 3/4th when I accelerated hard or under load up a hill, the revs would jump. Almost like the car was "kicking down" like an auto, but it's a manual.

So immediately thought it was a slipping clutch, as very similar sensation.

Turned out to be a very badly worn and slipping drive belt, when fully loaded it slipped and caused the revs to rise, once replaced all was fine.

Interesting, despite my very limited mechanical knowledge I've got a feeling this isn't actually the clutch slipping and could be something like this instead.

[SouthHamsGaz]

mike74 said:

DailyHack said:

I had a similar situation, I bought a car and in maybe 3/4th when I accelerated hard or under load up a hill, the revs would jump. Almost like the car was "kicking down" like an auto, but it's a manual.

So immediately thought it was a slipping clutch, as very similar sensation.

Turned out to be a very badly worn and slipping drive belt, when fully loaded it slipped and caused the revs to rise, once replaced all was fine.

Interesting, despite my very limited mechanical knowledge I've got a feeling this isn't actually the clutch slipping and could be something like this instead.

Could you explain what you mean by drive belt?
I have a fairly good grasp of how an engine works and can't see how this is at all possible. If the 'drive' or cam belt slips, then best case scenario is the timing is completely out and the car wont run, worst case pistons meet valves and the engine is toast.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

Back to the original question is where did you take it for a clutch to be fitted? Was it a reputable garage or a fast fit clutch specialist? Some cheaper replacements only involve changing the friction plate and not the pressure plate and release bearing.

The other thing to consider is how does you mum treat the vehicle? Is her driving okay or is she a little lively with slipping the clutch when setting off?

[Maxdecel]

SouthHamsGaz said:

Could you explain what you mean by drive belt?
I have a fairly good grasp of how an engine works and can't see how this is at all possible. If the 'drive' or cam belt slips, then best case scenario is the timing is completely out and the car wont run, worst case pistons meet valves and the engine is toast.

Perhaps it was a DAF ?

[Grrbang]

DailyHack said:

I had a similar situation, I bought a car and in maybe 3/4th when I accelerated hard or under load up a hill, the revs would jump. Almost like the car was "kicking down" like an auto, but it's a manual.

So immediately thought it was a slipping clutch, as very similar sensation.

Turned out to be a very badly worn and slipping drive belt, when fully loaded it slipped and caused the revs to rise, once replaced all was fine.

Only engine belt that could slip without grenading your engine is accessory belt aka auxiliary/serpentine belt. Don’t think this could cause revs to rise, because engine speed is just a multiple of wheel speed (if clutch not slipping). Although a feeling of initial sluggishness is quite similar to the feeling of a slipping clutch.

[mike74]

Matt_E_Mulsion said:

Back to the original question is where did you take it for a clutch to be fitted? Was it a reputable garage or a fast fit clutch specialist? Some cheaper replacements only involve changing the friction plate and not the pressure plate and release bearing.

The other thing to consider is how does you mum treat the vehicle? Is her driving okay or is she a little lively with slipping the clutch when setting off?

It was taken to a local one man band garage, she's been using him for years, he's a bit basic and limited in his abilities imo and not particularly cheap but I don't think he'd rip her off to the extent of not actually fitting a new clutch.

Mum isn't the greatest driver in the world, seems to be constantly in the wrong gear, either too high or too low, but the new clutch has only done about 300 miles (if that) since fitting and in a very flat area, so even if she was riding the clutch (which I don't think she does) I doubt she could have worn it out after so few miles.

It seems to be an interment problem, I tried earlier today on the same slight hill where previously it was obviously slipping at 40mph in 4th... but it didn't over rev this time, just bogged down a bit and wouldn't accelerate.

Edited by mike74 on Saturday 11th September 14:38

[Vintagejock]

In the world of commercial vehicles, especially those on contract maintenance it's difficult to prove faulty materials particularly after a few months. Therefore warranty is unlikely. In my experience faulty materials invariably lead to total failure, not progressive deterioration.

[bangerhoarder]

A worn DMF can cause the same issues as clutch slip - if the clutch wore out in fairly low mileage and your mum often bogs the engine down, that will speed up the DMFs failure.

[voram]

Have you checked her driving style? If she's always driving around with her foot resting on the clutch pedal that's a classic way to burn one out.

As has been said, classic slip symptoms are found in higher gears when the throttle is floored at low rpm. torque soars under these circumstances, like a cyclist going up hill in too high a gear who has to stand on the pedals. If she's got a foot resting on the clutch and is driving in high gears with diesel torque that would be double trouble scenario. A little car like that isn't going to have a hefty clutch in it.