Common Clutch Failures: Symptoms, Diagnosis And Solutions!
Having a bad clutch can be the result of bad habits in hilly or heavily congested areas. But it’s also one of those pieces that has a limited lifespan and won’t last forever. Learn here how to identify when the part is about to fail with this list of signs and common clutch failures .
If you notice that your clutch is slipping, it will be convenient for you to know how to diagnose clutch failures. The symptoms of a bad clutch can be detected early.
Common Clutch Failures
In this article we will look at some of the common clutch failures that indicate that this part is about to fail entirely or that it could damage other components.
1- You have that feeling of fluffiness
The first red flag is a soft or spongy clutch pedal, which is one of the typical problems with the hydraulic release mechanism. Check the hydraulic system to see if there is air in the system. Does the pressure in the pedal drop when you push it to the ground?
When this problem is severe, the pedal often seems to drop to the floor with very little force and you may even notice the clutch disengage without you having to depress the pedal very hard. If you leave this problem unfixed, you could soon see worse consequences.
2- Smell of burning
Do you smell burning? Could it be an oil leak or damaged wiring in the car? If you’re sure the smell isn’t emanating from some other system and it becomes more prominent when you’re shifting, there could be a problem with the clutch.
This smell is usually produced by the friction of a slipping clutch. If it’s accompanied by a rattling sound when the clutch is not in use, which increases in volume when the clutch engages, then you know you might be looking forward to changing your clutch soon.
3- Difficulty changing gear
You know gear changes need to be smooth, smooth, and hassle-free. When you have a new car that has been driven, the movement seems effortless. So if it has become a bit more of a grind then the clutch could be in trouble .
This problem will be more pronounced when you are shifting from first to second or putting the car in reverse. With this problem, the next thing you could be changing is an old and worn clutch.
4- Highest bite point
You should intuitively know where your clutch pitch point is, especially after a couple of years behind the wheel. As the clutch fails you will notice this point getting higher and higher. If you find that you have to loosen up almost all the way, then you might need to acclimate your foot to a new clutch.
5- Visible signs
Remove the inspection cover from the bell to make the clutch visible or take a look through the inspection cover on the bottom of the bell. Look for a fine black dust, which could be a sign of trouble or just general wear and tear .
If there is a fault, you will most likely see actual wear and damage on the clutch, indicating that it could be problematic down the road.
6- The RPM is high
One of the tricks you can use to diagnose clutch problems in a manual transmission comes when you hit the road. If your engine needs an unusual level of RPM to reach a certain speed, then chances are your clutch is having a problem.
Confirm your suspicions by checking it out in a parking lot. Bring the vehicle to a stop with the engine running, then shift into second or third gear. If the car doesn’t shut off, but the revs rise and the vehicle stays put, then you’ve identified a slipping clutch .
To confirm, rev the engine in first gear and block shift to fifth. If the engine continues to hum and rev up, then the gear has not engaged and is slipping out. Conversely, if the car shakes from being in too high a gear and takes a long time to get going, you know you’ve got full gear.
7- Hesitation
Does your car hesitate before accelerating? If this is the case then it could be the case that the clutch is not delivering enough momentum to drive the wheels through the transmission. This problem becomes more apparent when pulling a trailer or caravan, and it feels like you’re not getting the power you need. It is often the sign of a slipping clutch.
8- Clutch wear
Although not necessarily a common clutch problem, gear squeal is not a good thing. It could be related to the synchronizers, which ensure that gear changing is smooth. When they fail, the clutch may appear to have no influence on the shift. And, sometimes, it may be that you have not engaged the clutch well.
But there is also the case that the clutch is wearing out. Often the stop-and-go urban driving style can wear you out more quickly along with excessive use of the car.
To end
If you notice any of these warning signs that your clutch may be about to fail, don’t worry. This is a common occurrence in owning a car with a manual transmission and is fairly easy to fix, but it’s also something you should take care of when you first notice the problem.
Having a well-maintained clutch makes driving and handling much easier and gives you a much better level of control. If you catch problems early, you’ll also save money as it will cost much less to fix.
