Juddering In 1st

[Tarby777]

Hi all,

I've had a gen6 Celica ST for a month or so and although I'm really happy with it, I think it may require some attention. It came from a reputable garage, was given an MOT and it has a 3-month mechanical warranty, so I'm anxious to get this problem sorted out under warranty if possible.

The problem is simply that when I let the clutch out in 1st to move off, the car judders quite badly. Once I take my foot off the clutch pedal, all is well. If I move off with what would normally be higher-than-needed revs, it doesn't judder at all. I don't experience juddering problems in any other gear.

I must confess to being absolutely clueless with all things mechanical, but I'm guessing the clutch is on its way out. What do others think might be going on?

And while I'm asking... the gear lever is stiff as hell! Is that usual on Celicas? Is it easily fixed?

TIA

Tarby

[mikeb]

Yes, the clutch could be on it's way out (normally they slip too). It could be contaminated with oil from a leak somewhere, or cooked by a previous owner. Either require replacement. It may also be caused by worn out engine mount.

The gear lever shouldn't be as stiff as you are suggesting.

[sotal]

Mine Judders like you describe but only very rarely and it has to be cold and damp, and it will only do it for the first couple of set-offs in a journey.

The gear lever shouldn't be stiff at all

[Cubic Incubi]

Take it stright back mate and let them worry about it.

could be a few things as mentioned.

the slave cyinder sometimes feels like a slipping clutch but your describing something totally different.

I'm not too clued up and cant be bothered to look in the manual cos that means going to the workshop - but I assume there is fluid in the master cylinder - it sounds like an air lock to me or a problem with the 'release fork' which engages the cutch.

in any event, i wouldnt get too worked up on the why's and how's not if you have warranty - ignorance is bliddful mate - just take the car back and nicely tell them you want a car that ruddy works or you want your money back!

cheers

[Tarby777]

Well, there's a thing... the oil warning light came on during my drive into work yesterday morning and when I checked the level at lunchtime, it was absolutely bone dry - not even registering on the dipstick.

3 litres of oil later, the juddering has stopped and the other problem I mentioned - the force required to push/pull the gearstick - has gone away too.

This is all fine and dandy, but it's scary to think how close I probably came to an engine seizure :o Note to self: when buying from a dealer, it's all very well them saying they've MOT'd it and given it a 100-point check... but don't take it as gospel.

[sotal]

Strange.... I'm no mechanic but I don't think the Engine Oil should affect the clutch or gear lever?? Surely the Gearbox Oil would affect the gear lever??

Anyway it could be that when it left the garage the car was full of oil, but it has since used it. If you read some of the other posts on excessive oil usage you will find that the 1.8st is (now) known for "using" oil at anywhere up to 1 litre per thousand miles. Make sure you keep an eye on the oil level.

I'm just about to try a different type of oil - which an oil expert has recommended to me. Hopefully that will significantly reduce the oil consumption!

How many miles has your car done?

[Tarby777]

How many miles has your car done?

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It's done 54000 mate.

[daktari]

How many miles has your car done?

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It's done 54000 mate.

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Get it back to where you got it from. Pronto. Thats not right. 54K it should be nigh on perfect. Just tell them you are losing a lot of oil and there is a fault with the clutch/gearbox. See what they say.

[mikeb]

Strange.... I'm no mechanic but I don't think the Engine Oil should affect the clutch or gear lever??

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Unless oil is leaking from the engine and getting onto the clutch. Oil on the clutch would definitely make it judder. If it's the crankshaft rear seal, then it's going to be horrendously expensive.

The stiff gear change could well be caused by selector cables being stiff rather than the box internals.