my car has just broken down, what could it be

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scotty777

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Jul 26, 2006
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Ok, so I'm driving with my mates from a nice chill session at Sahara, and I stop at a red robot(like a responsible driver), as it turned green I tried to pull off, and nothing, the car just rolled back... 1stly I though I left the car in neutral, but when I made sure the gear was in 1st, I reved the car, released the clutch and the car just won't pull off. I tried using 2nd gear but nothing.

So wtf is wrong with my car? My gears seem fine, and when I release the clutch while the car is in 1st, the revs drop just slightly and the car moves a tiny bit. I left the car at a petrol station, and will take it to the mechanic tomorrow.

Any ideas on what may be the problem here? How much am I looking at?

oh, and it's a 1.4i VW polo, 2003 model...
 
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shadow_man

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scotty777 said:
Ok, so I'm driving with my mates from a nice chill session at Sahara, and I stop at a red robot(like a responsible driver), as it turned green I tried to pull off, and nothing, the car just rolled back... 1stly I though I left the car in neutral, but when I made sure the gear was in 1st, I reved the car, released the clutch and the car just won't pull off. I tried using 2nd gear but nothing.

So wtf is wrong with my car? My gears seem fine, and when I release the clutch while the car is in 1st, the revs drop just slightly and the car moves a tiny bit. I left the car at a petrol station, and will take it to the mechanic tomorrow.

Any ideas on what may be the problem here? How much am I looking at?

oh, and it's a 1.4i VW polo, 2003 model...
Click to expand...

Clutch cable snapped?
 
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Morgoth

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bendix not kicking in is my bet., do the car start at all or do the lights go on at all ?
 
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dj_jyno

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Morgoth said:
bendix not kicking in is my bet., do the car start at all or do the lights go on at all ?
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:erm: Not the starter - car is running when it happens.

Scotty, I'm assuming that the car actually does go into the gear you select (you've mentioned that the car moves forward a bit, so it's not the gearbox). The way you're describing the problem it sounds like a worn clutch plate. R3500-R5000, depending on the labour cost of your local VW agent.
 
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Darshur

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As mentioned by dj jyno, it seems like the clutch is slipping..
 
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PeterCH

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dj_jyno said:
:erm: Not the starter - car is running when it happens.

Scotty, I'm assuming that the car actually does go into the gear you select (you've mentioned that the car moves forward a bit, so it's not the gearbox). The way you're describing the problem it sounds like a worn clutch plate. R3500-R5000, depending on the labour cost of your local VW agent.
Click to expand...

And probably R2000 max all inclusive if he takes it to a reputable, non-agent mechanic.
 
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4cer

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Polo's are not made to be driven to the nuts... :p

drive slower and you won't f up your clutch plate ...
 
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Shake&Bake

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Yeah sounds like clutch plate.

But they usually just don't creep up on you.
Has it not been giving you any trouble before the breakdown?
 
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dj_jyno

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scotty777 said:
well, I don't drive that fast???
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It's not driving fast that kills a clutch, but driving badly. Holding the car with the clutch at red lights and on hills, pulling away at high revs or in the wrong gear...basically anything that requires you to let the clutch engage only partially for an extended time.

To be honest, though, it could very well have been the previous owner that wore the clutch down close to 100%, with your normal driving adding the last bit of wear that caused it to fail completely.
 
K

Keeper

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you left a polo at a gas station? you know those cars are easy to steal right?
 
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scotty777

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Shake&Bake said:
Yeah sounds like clutch plate.

But they usually just don't creep up on you.
Has it not been giving you any trouble before the breakdown?
Click to expand...

Well, apart from the clutch pulling quite high up, nothing, it's been a dream to drive. only thing is with 3rd gear, the gear wouldn't go in properly and as I ease off on the clutch pedal the gear would pop out and grind... but that was on the odd occasion.

dj_jyno said:
It's not driving fast that kills a clutch, but driving badly. Holding the car with the clutch at red lights and on hills, pulling away at high revs or in the wrong gear...basically anything that requires you to let the clutch engage only partially for an extended time.

To be honest, though, it could very well have been the previous owner that wore the clutch down close to 100%, with your normal driving adding the last bit of wear that caused it to fail completely.
Click to expand...

Thing is, I've just been driving it properly every day for the last 3 weeks now as I got my drivers 3 weeks ago... I keep my car in neutral most of the time, even when I'm going down hills so that i can save on petrol (my parents give me money for 2 tanks, there after I've gotta pay). I seldom rev my car, and the only time I have to really use my clutch is when I'm going up northcliff hill.

However, the car has done 150 000 kms with the previous owner, and all the little things are starting to go, like my hand break is getting slack, my radiator has a tiny leak in it... so maybe it is necessary that I send the car in for a full inspection.
 
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dj_jyno

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scotty777 said:
Well, apart from the clutch pulling quite high up, nothing, it's been a dream to drive. only thing is with 3rd gear, the gear wouldn't go in properly and as I ease off on the clutch pedal the gear would pop out and grind... but that was on the odd occasion.
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Depending on how high the clutch takes, it could be normal. VW clutches tend to take a bit high, unlike, say, a Mazda (damn, those cars have low clutches :D).

Thing is, I've just been driving it properly every day for the last 3 weeks now as I got my drivers 3 weeks ago...
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Sorry to say this, but it sounds like you bought the car with a clutch on the point of failing. Not even the worst normal driver can screw up a clutch that quickly in a 1.4.

I keep my car in neutral most of the time, even when I'm going down hills
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Keep the car in gear on downhill stretches and check the fuel consumption display :)

However, the car has done 150 000 kms with the previous owner, and all the little things are starting to go, like my hand break is getting slack, my radiator has a tiny leak in it... so maybe it is necessary that I send the car in for a full inspection.
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Definitely have the car checked out. It doesn't sound good at all. Just for the record - do you have the Polo with the square or double round headlights?
 
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