Dual mass Flywheel advice

[Sailfree]

Boss tells me that clutch pedal on Seat 2.0 TDI is occasionally spongy and pedal doesnt come all the way back.

If she lifts pedal and tries again it works and be OK for next 40 times.

She took car to garage and they said they could not replicate the problem and clutch was fine when they tested it. Then added its a common problem on the Audi/VW group cars a spongy pedal needing the concentric slave cylinder replaced.

So while an intermittent fault they quote £1,900 to take out gearbox, fit new concentric slave cylinder but while it's out silly not to fit a new clutch and they suggest fitting a new Dual Mass Flywheel.

Car is old but been a reliable car but obviously thinking of scrapping it as its done 94,000mls if it's going to cost £2000 to repair.

Otherwise no faults with clutch nor juddering.

So anyone like to advise on Dual Mass Flywheels - if no juddering is it likely to be OK and if on its way out is the wear visible?

Just to throw a spanner in the works, there is a You Tube video of these clutch pedals not fully returning stating its caused by end float on the Audi/VW 6 speed gearboxes and "a common problem" . These gearbox shims are readily available on e bay so it appears there is a regular demand for them. You Tube video shows them easy to fit.

So a problem that could be £10 to fit a new shim OR £1000+ to fit new concentric slave cylinder and clutch OR £2000 to include the Flywheel OR some £15,000 to replace car.

Anyone with any experience of this problem on Aud/Vw group cars with 6 speed gearboxes?

Advice appreciated

SORRY MODS - MEANT TO POST IN LOUNGE - IF POSSIBLE CAN YOU MOVE IT- THANKS

 

[prestomg27]

I would keep using it till it doesn't work. Get a couple of quotes for the clutch replacement. If you decide to d it you might as well change the dual mass flywheel as they do fail. You should be able to get a non audi one for about 350 quid.

p.s. the 1900 sounds pricey to me, I would have thought about 1k tops.

 

[NPMR]

My 170bhp Astra failed in same way recently. Same problem.

Failed Slave cylinder sprayed oil over clutch plate. Advice? Replace the lot including dual mass flywheel. Major car dismantling needed (by my standards)

£1600. Inc Vat.

Paid up. Not like the old days when you could clean up a clutch plate .....

 

[johnalison]

I had this problem on my 1.4 A3. I'm not quite sure what the garage chap did but it wasn't a big or expensive job. His advice was to avoid depressing the clutch for long periods, a habit that I was prone to doing in order to prevent the autostop function cutting in but which I now avoid by disabling the autostop briefly when I don't want it.

 

[RobbieW]

I have a '67 Octavia with something similar. It manifests mainly as an audible detent when pressing down the pedal, but sometimes doesn't return properly. It's almost exclusive to cold days. Had it looked at under warranty when bought; clutch changed, no difference. I think it's something to do with the geometry of the lever arm from the pedal but unproven.

 

[Sailfree]

I have a '67 Octavia with something similar. It manifests mainly as an audible detent when pressing down the pedal, but sometimes doesn't return properly. It's almost exclusive to cold days. Had it looked at under warranty when bought; clutch changed, no difference. I think it's something to do with the geometry of the lever arm from the pedal but unproven.

interesting , can you advise is it a 6 speed manual gearbox?

 

[RobbieW]

interesting , can you advise is it a 6 speed manual gearbox?

It is
Edit: I'd also add that the previous owner had the car on a mobility scheme and was heavy on the clutch. Evidenced by a very worn carpet under the pedal after 30k miles

 

[prestomg27]

Paid up. Not like the old days when you could clean up a clutch plate .....

you have never been able to clean up a clutch plate contaminated with oil.

 

[prestomg27]

I had this problem on my 1.4 A3. I'm not quite sure what the garage chap did but it wasn't a big or expensive job. His advice was to avoid depressing the clutch for long periods, a habit that I was prone to doing in order to prevent the autostop function cutting in but which I now avoid by disabling the autostop briefly when I don't want it.

Keeping pressure on a clutch will destroy the clutch release bearing very quickly.

 

[johnalison]

Keeping pressure on a clutch will destroy the clutch release bearing very quickly.

It is something I have always tried to avoid, but with autostop it is very tempting to keep it pressed for a few seconds at roundabouts and intersections and I have had to teach myself to use the cancel button instead.

 

[prestomg27]

Indeed. Even resting your foot on the clutch will damge the clutch release bearing on some cars.

 

[awol]

you have never been able to clean up a clutch plate contaminated with oil.

A propane torch was a temporary fix, long enough to sell the banger on back in those happy days when there were no electronic gizmos.