Clutch Slipping? Common Causes & Solutions.

Hello.

What could be the reason why my clutch (Audi 80 B4 TDI) occasionally 'jerks' or 'grinds'?
The clutch is quite new!

didl wrote:

What could be the reason why my clutch (Audi 80 B4 TDI) occasionally "makes a noise"? The clutch is quite new!

... if the pressure plate or clutch disc is warped, even a new clutch can slip.

Hi there,

In my Polo once, the crankshaft seal was leaking. A little oil on the clutch disc then caused the clutch to slip.

Regards,

Eike.

Then she would have to pluck them constantly, right?

Hi,

Could you please rephrase that?

I've been experiencing something similar since I got my new clutch, and the workshop that installed it told me it was perfectly normal for this type of clutch. However, I found that a bit odd.

Best regards and thank you.
Thomas.

Well, how am I supposed to describe that?

If I want to let the clutch slip slightly when starting slowly, it feels like my foot is vibrating on the pedal.

Similar to a flasher relay... it turns on, then off, then on again, but much faster!

Thomas wrote:

I've also experienced this quite intensely since my new clutch was installed, and the workshop that installed it told me that it's perfectly normal for this type of clutch. However, I found that a bit strange.

Hi!

This statement is actually quite strange. Your workshop probably wants to avoid dealing with a complaint. Only sports clutches tend to fray; new, standard ones don't.

Best regards, Uwe.

Hello,

didl wrote:

...if you start the engine and let the clutch slip, it feels like I'm vibrating on the pedal. It's similar to a flasher relay... it works, then doesn't work, then works again, then doesn't work, but much faster!

or the release bearing is defective. In any case, point it out.

Best regards, Rainer.

Rainer K. wrote:

or the release bearing is defective. In any case, point it out.

Hi!

I doubt that's the case, because if that were true, the clutch wouldn't engage. However, you should definitely still report it!

Best regards,
Uwe

@didl

Could you please fully depress the clutch pedal and see if it vibrates unusually or if you hear any unusual noises?

Best regards, Rainer.

Hi Uwe,

It's a sports clutch. I just got the impression that it still felt a bit too "abrupt."
I knew it would be "rougher," but at first, it was quite a skill to drive it "normally."

Well, never mind.

By the way, to contribute something related to the topic of "didl," the clutch replacement was necessary because the oil seal was leaking, causing oil to get onto the clutch. Well, you can probably imagine the result.

Currently, I've noticed that even the new sealing ring doesn't always provide a proper seal.
Then, of course, oil will drip onto the new clutch again, and the whole thing was more or less for nothing.

There are supposedly workshops that don't always work with the utmost care and attention to detail.

Greetings.
Thomas.

Stop!!!

Do you have a "true" sports clutch or just a reinforced one?
Sintered metal clutches do tend to slip, but there are also reinforced clutches available that are more suitable for road use.

Best regards,
Uwe

Hi,

It already has sintered metal linings.

The TDI already comes with a reinforced version from the factory.
In the Golf 3, besides the Syncro models, the most powerful engine was the VR6, producing a maximum of 235 Nm of torque at approximately 5000 rpm. The AFN diesel, being the most powerful diesel option, achieved this torque much earlier in the rev range, resulting in a completely different and much more aggressive power delivery.
That's why it's supposedly equipped with a reinforced clutch.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Well. Are you familiar with "sport clutches"?
There are also some noises that I can't explain .

See you later.
Thomas.

Hi!

I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. Unfortunately, I don't know much about V.A.G's standard clutches. All I know is that a standard torque of 320 Nm is currently achieved with the 1.9-liter engine, and often other models use components that are just barely adequately sized.
If your clutch is making noises, that's definitely not right. When does it make the noise? When the pedal is pressed or released? And as Rainer already asked, when you press the clutch pedal, does the pedal vibrate?

Best regards,
Uwe

Hi,

No, the pedal doesn't vibrate at all.
I'll try to rephrase that.
When I'm accelerating and shifting gears sequentially,
Does it sometimes happen that the pressure point is much lower?
Normalerweise ist der sog. "Schleifpunkt" ziemlich weit oben. But then...
There's a short, sharp sound, more like a crack, and the clutch pedal doesn't fully release. It stays partially depressed.
I can then kick it out with my foot or simply put the gear in again, and everything goes back to normal.
I'm guessing there might be a problem with the release bearing.

"Then, something nobody told me back then is that with a sports clutch, you always have to fully depress the pedal when shifting. There are no smooth or gradual transitions. If you don't completely disengage the clutch, you might as well just leave your foot off the pedal and force the gear into place."
It happened to me a few times at the beginning that the timing wasn't quite right... well, I think everyone here is familiar with that sound.

Now, let's talk about the actual sounds that weren't present from the beginning but gradually became louder over time.
Whenever I start the car in first or second gear, I always hear a ringing sound.
that occurs at the same frequency as the clutch engagement noise.
One could also interpret it as a squeaking sound.
Certainly very high and metallic.
If I had to imagine the sound of the clanging, I would think of a slightly loose bolt with a somewhat thick washer vibrating intensely. I've already checked everything from the outside, but all the parts seem very secure. Therefore, it must be something inside the transmission or similar that is causing this noise.
I could probably record that sometime. It's loud enough, after all.

"I mean, it's not the end of the world. But if you know something is wrong with your car, you're naturally worried."

Greetings.
Thomas.

Hi!

Based on how you're describing the problem, that definitely doesn't sound right. A wandering pressure point could indicate a hydraulic issue (air in the system), but the sticking sounds more like a bearing problem to me. You can also shift normally with a sports clutch; the only disadvantage I know of is that it might vibrate or jerk slightly when engaging. I hope we were able to help you. Please let us know how things progress.

Best regards,
Uwe