Another Flywheel Problem

August 3, 2007

Hi. I’m a new member and I’ve already found the Forum very interesting. My problem seems to be very common – clutch and flywheel failure. I have an 04 Rav4 XTi3, bought new from a Toyota dealer, always serviced there and now with 26,000 miles on the clock. Unfortunately it’s 2 months out of warranty. Though bought in September 2004, it was first registered in May of that year and bought by us with just 12 miles on the clock.

The cost of the repair is £920 for the clutch and another £179 for the flywheel which, I’ve been told, ‘has a few spots on it’. But what does that mean? I think I know, having read lots of previous posts on the Forum, what I’m going to be told by the dealer – being heavy-footed on the clutch and so on. Is there any advice anyone can give on how to deal with this situation? Thanks in advan

August 3, 2007

Mike

Nearly all the other posts you will have read on this forum will relate to Dual Mass Flywheels on diesels so not the same problem as you are describing.

Yours is a much more "normal" problem of just a worn out clutch. The mileage you have quoted is quite low for a worn out clutch and it goes hand in hand with the spotting you describe.

The flywheel face is the part of the clutch that is fastened to the engine. The clutch just makes the connection to the gearbox and allows you to disengae the drive for changing gears. The connection is made via a plate with friction material rivetted to it and it is this plate that wears out. Normally when you renew the clutch you change the friction plate and the pressure plate which clamps it all up to the flywheel to transmit the drive. Sometimes when there has been some excessive heat generated the flywheel face becomes heat spotted. These are blueish/black spots that have been caused when microscopic high spots have been super heated and changed state from cast iron to martensite. It is not generally harmful in isolation but can lead to crazing of the surface which will in turn lead to rapid wear of your new clutch.

In this case it is probably best to let them change the flywheel as you don't want another large bill any quicker than another 26000 miles! In any case the cost is nothing like a DMF. Most of the £920 will be labour, it is quite a big job.

With respect you might increase the life of the clutch by trying not to slip it too much and keep your foot well away from the pedal when not changing gear as resting your foot on it will contribute to rapid wear.

It can be summarised as follows; Excessive heat will cause rapid wear of the clutch and flywheel surface. Slipping or "riding" (resting your foot on the clutch) will cause excessive heat. The two go hand in hand.

I hope this helps.

Regards

August 13, 2007

Mike
Nearly all the other posts you will have read on this forum will relate to Dual Mass Flywheels on diesels so not the same problem as you are describing.
Yours is a much more "normal" problem of just a worn out clutch. The mileage you have quoted is quite low for a worn out clutch and it goes hand in hand with the spotting you describe.
The flywheel face is the part of the clutch that is fastened to the engine. The clutch just makes the connection to the gearbox and allows you to disengae the drive for changing gears. The connection is made via a plate with friction material rivetted to it and it is this plate that wears out. Normally when you renew the clutch you change the friction plate and the pressure plate which clamps it all up to the flywheel to transmit the drive. Sometimes when there has been some excessive heat generated the flywheel face becomes heat spotted. These are blueish/black spots that have been caused when microscopic high spots have been super heated and changed state from cast iron to martensite. It is not generally harmful in isolation but can lead to crazing of the surface which will in turn lead to rapid wear of your new clutch.
In this case it is probably best to let them change the flywheel as you don't want another large bill any quicker than another 26000 miles! In any case the cost is nothing like a DMF. Most of the £920 will be labour, it is quite a big job.
With respect you might increase the life of the clutch by trying not to slip it too much and keep your foot well away from the pedal when not changing gear as resting your foot on it will contribute to rapid wear.
It can be summarised as follows; Excessive heat will cause rapid wear of the clutch and flywheel surface. Slipping or "riding" (resting your foot on the clutch) will cause excessive heat. The two go hand in hand.
I hope this helps.
Regards

I am picking up my 'new' 05 Diesel XT5 this afternoon but when I called the dealer they said that they had replaced a certain pulley as it was making a bit of a noise when they did the pre sales gubbins. I am very pleased now that I also purchased an extra 2 years Warranty.

Another 2 hrs to go and am off to fetch. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: