Clutch symptoms

[Ubiquitous2024]

I am trying to work out if my clutch is on its way out - 2011 Toyota IQ with 47k on clock. It has the loud and horrible sounding vibration / chassis shake at certain rev points, normally when clutch is disengaged and revs are between 2.5 - 3.5k in gears 2 and 3. They all do this, and online some report clutch change removes this noise. Personally I can live with it.

Anyway recently I am getting some odd sensations in gears 2 and 3 just after the point that the clutch is fully disengaged. It is a forward and backwards wobble / oscillation which feels similar to how it would feel if you were about to stall but obviously the car is moving at a static speed. It is consistently inconsistent and doesn't happen all the time, its extremely slight and faint and I suspect most driver would not pick up on it, however I am hyper sensitive and notice everything. Generally I am getting it at around 30 to 40mph as I apply and adjust throttle inputs to maintain the speed limit.

I have it booked in for a clutch change but wonder if I need to bother and whether I have misinterpreted the symptoms. If just left to get worse / go untreated, what could happen - can a clutch just suddenly fail and if so what happens then? I barely use the car so would be happy to leave it to chance, or if not advisable I will just carry on with the repair.

[E-bmw]

Ubiquitous2024 said:

They all do this, and online some report clutch change removes this noise. Personally I can live with it.

Definitely doesn't sound like a clutch issue, if you can live with it, then live with it. Sounds more like a peculiarity of a tiny 3 cylinder engine.

Ubiquitous2024 said:

the car is moving at a static speed.

How does a car move at a static speed?

Ubiquitous2024 said:

It is consistently inconsistent

Good description, that helps.

Ubiquitous2024 said:

I have it booked in for a clutch change but wonder if I need to bother

The issue isn't a clutch problem.

[Ubiquitous2024]

Sorry meant steady speed.

So you are quite sure any "wobble" I'm getting isn't clutch then? The mechanic I use seemed to think it was when I described the symptoms.

[E-bmw]

Ubiquitous2024 said:

So you are quite sure any "wobble" I'm getting isn't clutch then?

A clutch can't cause an engine to "wobble".

[Ubiquitous2024]

It's a sensation of wobble, very slight back and forth through the chassis which resembles the feeling when you slow down and don't depress the clutch

[E-bmw]

Ubiquitous2024 said:

It's a sensation of wobble, very slight back and forth through the chassis which resembles the feeling when you slow down and don't depress the clutch

Still not the clutch.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

Rather than blindly having the clutch changed, why not book it in with a mechanic for a proper diagnosis.

[richhead]

At a guess, and thats all it can be over the internet, i would be looking at the engine mounts

[GreenV8S]

Ubiquitous2024 said:

I have it booked in for a clutch change

That was silly. You have no idea what the problem is. If you ask them to replace the clutch they'll happily take your money and do that, but there's no reason to expect that will solve the problem.

What you should have done is take it to a competent mechanic, explain the symptoms you're worrying about and ask them to check whether there is a problem.

[GeniusOfLove]

I'd be looking at engine and transmission mounts.

[TwinKam]

E-bmw said:

Ubiquitous2024 said:

They all do this, and online some report clutch change removes this noise. Personally I can live with it.

Definitely doesn't sound like a clutch issue, if you can live with it, then live with it. Sounds more like a peculiarity of a tiny 3 cylinder engine.


The issue isn't a clutch problem.

I'm with E-bmw on this. Different engine, different vibes. If you've only ever been used to in-line 4s, you could well think something's 'wobbling' (aka 'out of balance').

[GeniusOfLove]

TwinKam said:

E-bmw said:

Ubiquitous2024 said:

They all do this, and online some report clutch change removes this noise. Personally I can live with it.

Definitely doesn't sound like a clutch issue, if you can live with it, then live with it. Sounds more like a peculiarity of a tiny 3 cylinder engine.


The issue isn't a clutch problem.

I'm with E-bmw on this. Different engine, different vibes. If you've only ever been used to in-line 4s, you could well think something's 'wobbling' (aka 'out of balance').

Lot in that too, 3 pot minis on a cold start can have a real wobble through the cabin for a bit even if you have fresh engine mounts etc. BCA often put down "misfire" on the reports but mate you will REALLY know about it if your 3 pot has a misfire.

I would look at engine/box mounts if it's bothering you, they're one of the things that can make a big difference to an old car even before they're falling apart/MOT fail level, like dampers.