Clutch Life

[Catweazle]

I know this is a bit like asking how long will I live, but does anyone know, on average, how long a clutch should last on a 4.2 manual petrol?

I'm looking at buying a 2005 model with 70k on the clock and my local independent Toyota specialist says that the things that could go wrong at this mileage are the clutch (£600 - £800) and the oxygen sensors (£200 x 4).

To be honest the RAV's that I have test driven have had a wildly different feel to the clutch than my old Ford, with a really high biting point so they have all felt that they were slipping to me. Can anyone advise on how the RAV clutch should feel and an easy way to test it?

Thanks in advance

[anchorman]

If they are going to slip they will usually do it in top gear climbing a hill but if you apply the handbrake and try to set off in 1st with moderate revs it should stall and not slip. It won't look good if somebody is sitting next to you! There are no skeletons in the cupboard with RAV clutches - I think your advisor is just telling you what it would cost in the unlikely event it did fail.

Oxygen sensors are not unkown to fail so although it is not certain it is more likely than a clutch.

Don't beat yourself up about buying one as even the most impeccable service history or lack of miles is no guarantee. Just go through the normal things and take the plunge

[bothwell_buyer]

A clutch lasts as long as the way you treat it - my last clutch on Rav number 1 did 2000 miles before being upgraded - mainly cos I cooked the plate doing 7 quarter mile starts in the space of 2 hours!

I've heard of clutches lasting up to 120,000 miles.

[wardude]

the clutch on my dads old moindeo did 280,000 miles and it was still ok when the car was sold. Just depends on cars use and how you treat the clutc

[bothwell_buyer]

My dads Fiat Punto had 5 clutches and a gearbox - it was bought new, did 21,000 miles approx, and was 4 years old when we sold it.

On the other hand, replying to your question on how long you'll live, my dad is 91 yrs old now.

So the moral of the story is that the more clutches you can burn out, the longer you'll live!

[parky1968]

the clutch on my dads old moindeo did 280,000 miles and it was still ok when the car was sold.

Sold?? How much for with that mileage out of interest??