Premature Clutch Failure

Dolby

Dolby

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As many of you know I bought a 2010 Audi S4 (B8) at 75,000km.

A few days into I picked up a spongy clutch pedal, slight scratch 2nd to 3rd and occasionally a slightly shudder in the clutch in traffic or reversing - and let the dealer know. They told me to bring it in for a drive, which I did - and they confirmed the clutch wasn't great.

VIN was given and parts ordered, and I was told to bring the car in yesterday - which I did. Pretty chuffed as I know many dealerships have issues with clutches. Then I get the call at 15:00 ...

The car had two clutches prior and they won't cover a 3rd - which is fair enough. BUT on checking the history they were at 62,000km, 68,000km and I'm now picking up an issue at 75,000km. Obviously the say abuse - but c'mon those figures look far too close for my liking?

Is there another issue that can cause premature dying?
 
Dolby said:
As many of you know I bought a 2010 Audi S4 (B8) at 75,000km.

A few days into I picked up a spongy clutch pedal, slight scratch 2nd to 3rd and occasionally a slightly shudder in the clutch in traffic or reversing - and let the dealer know. They told me to bring it in for a drive, which I did - and they confirmed the clutch wasn't great.

VIN was given and parts ordered, and I was told to bring the car in yesterday - which I did. Pretty chuffed as I know many dealerships have issues with clutches. Then I get the call at 15:00 ...

The car had two clutches prior and they won't cover a 3rd - which is fair enough. BUT on checking the history they were at 62,000km, 68,000km and I'm now picking up an issue at 75,000km. Obviously the say abuse - but c'mon those figures look far too close for my liking?

Is there another issue that can cause premature dying?
Click to expand...

That sponginess sounds to me like a failing master or slave cylinder, not a worn clutch.
The shudder could be a worn pressure plate, but if the hydraulics are faulty it's possible that they have caused that as well (not engaging the clutch properly, for instance).
 
I'm not sure - I'll Google those symptoms ...

I just assumed gearbox/clutch and when they drove it, they just said the clutch doesn't feel great either
 
The previous history of the car is ultimately not your problem, they sold you a defective vehicle and they will be required to fix it....

If they won't, I think you can invoke the CPA and return the vehicle.
 
Sinbad said:
That sponginess sounds to me like a failing master or slave cylinder, not a worn clutch.
The shudder could be a worn pressure plate, but if the hydraulics are faulty it's possible that they have caused that as well (not engaging the clutch properly, for instance).
Click to expand...

OP mentioned a "spongy" clutch - it can be either the master/slave cylinder, or air in the clutch hydraulics system...

FYI - oil on the clutch will let the clutch slip on load, also you'll smell burning oil when the clutch get hot, esp in rush hour traffic

A worn clutch will slip at load

Clutch shudder on pullaway means a warped flywheel/pressure plate.

Oil on the clutch can also cause clutch shudder.
 
The_Librarian said:
OP mentioned a "spongy" clutch - it can be either the master/slave cylinder, or air in the clutch hydraulics system...

FYI - oil on the clutch will let the clutch slip on load, also you'll smell burning oil when the clutch get hot, esp in rush hour traffic

A worn clutch will slip at load

Clutch shudder on pullaway means a warped flywheel/pressure plate - all of which you don't have.
Click to expand...

A very worn pressure plate tends to shudder as well.
 
I sent a mail through to Audi SA last night - so waiting the reply from them. I brought up that point as well.

The car was private and only brokered through the dealership. But it has it's warranty etc in place and they did their 80 point check before selling it onto me. I was going to increase maintenance end of the year, so I'm trying to see if they'll do it on good faith on condition I buy the extension
 
I'd hope that they would have picked up a master cylinder at 62,000 or 68,000 though :/
 
Dolby said:
I sent a mail through to Audi SA last night - so waiting the reply from them. I brought up that point as well.

The car was private and only brokered through the dealership. But it has it's warranty etc in place and they did their 80 point check before selling it onto me. I was going to increase maintenance end of the year, so I'm trying to see if they'll do it on good faith on condition I buy the extension
Click to expand...

If I were you, I'll sell the car and get another one instead.

Chances are, if it's the oil seal on the engine side leaking oil (and thus contaminating the clutch) it'll be a costly excercise to replace. Ditto for the oil seal on the gearbox side. (if these are engineered to be removed/replaced out of the car).

Keep in mind the dealership will try to gloss over some defects in the hope the customer will go away to somebody else...
 
They've been pretty good up to now - and as I say it is motorplan. I saw that it was Audi SA that actually stopped the request and not the dealership. Car hasn't a single other issue ans this issue is pretty small ... now ;)

They say the only exclusion is pretty much the clutch ; you're allowed one in 100,000km
 
The_Librarian said:
If I were you, I'll sell the car and get another one instead.

Chances are, if it's the oil seal on the engine side leaking oil (and thus contaminating the clutch) it'll be a costly excercise to replace. Ditto for the oil seal on the gearbox side. (if these are engineered to be removed/replaced out of the car).

Keep in mind the dealership will try to gloss over some defects in the hope the customer will go away to somebody else...
Click to expand...

If it's a main seal the motorplan should cover it. Ask them if any diagnosis was done on the earlier changed clutches?
 
Yeah if it is on its third clutch before 100 000km, then there is something wrong with it. And Audi up to this point have been treating the symptoms and not the cause.
 
Sinbad said:
If it's a main seal the motorplan should cover it. Ask them if any diagnosis was done on the earlier changed clutches?
Click to expand...

... also put in my mail ;)

I will let you know as soon as they reply.
 
Ancalagon said:
Yeah if it is on its third clutch before 100 000km, then there is something wrong with it. And Audi up to this point have been treating the symptoms and not the cause.
Click to expand...

Yea that's my worry.

Changing now - and again at 85,000km
 
Juts my 2c, bit if I were you Dolby, I would try my utmost to get out of that deal ASAP. It looks like you are opening a world of pain for yourself.
 
Can believe I missed this earlier.

Do you drive like a woman Dolby? :p

Seriously though, something is up. Sounds like the previous two jobs didn't find the root cause of the problem, which is causing the issue to return. Let us know what they say.
 
I know it may make you angry, but are you riding the clutch, or resting your foot on the pedal all the time or not depressing it fully when changing gears etc?
 
No I only bought it 2 months back :) And phoned the dealer the next day
 
Sinbad said:
That sponginess sounds to me like a failing master or slave cylinder, not a worn clutch.
The shudder could be a worn pressure plate, but if the hydraulics are faulty it's possible that they have caused that as well (not engaging the clutch properly, for instance).
Click to expand...

I agree with this and it could be the cause for the clutches failing so soon. The whole hydrolic system needs to be checked. Doubt it's the gearbox itselff.
 
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