Clutching At Straws

[davemcmaster]

After many months of frustration and repeat fees to the DVLA my wife has passed her driving test, hurah!

This new found freedom has not come without a price though. Apart from the fact that she can now drive to the shops and spend my hard earned brass (yes I live in Yorkshire), there seems to be some other changes a foot!

The Avensis 1.8 GS manual petrol 2000, used to my car, and this time last year I was happily driving her to and from work, and further a field at weekends without a care in the world. Now my wife owns her!

But just today I venture back into my old dear to find that the once familiar clutch seems alien to me. The bite seems to be just before the top of release and occasionaly a gear is hard to select. This sounds like a failing clutch, am I right?

Okay two questions, how long have I got and how much will it cost? I know that I will have to have Mr T or another professional do the work (I read the Haynes manual and was amazed just how it skimped over the detail of removing the engine in a don't even try this if you don't know how sort of way), but as ever I would like to get as much out of the old girl before major surgery. Should I hold on until she starts slipping away (sorry for these awful puns) or do I take her under the knife now?

As ever your advice and knowledge is greatly appreciated.

[cmia]

These cars have a known problem with gearboxs as well.

I would wait.

[Mrdoody]

Take it to a specialist, get some advice and make sure you have plenty of anaesthetic at hand, you might need it when you get your quote.

[davemcmaster]

Take it to a specialist, get some advice and make sure you have plenty of anaesthetic at hand, you might need it when you get your quote.

Thanks for the advice, so that's one for leave it and one for sort it. I have driven the car a few times this week, and I have got to admit that the more I drive the less I notice the problem, or as I rather suspect I am adjusting my driving to suit the old dear's special needs.

I think I shall hold off until my wife finishes her off completely. From what I can gather a sick clutch and a dead clutch both equal a new clutch, am I right?

[davemcmaster]

Take it to a specialist, get some advice and make sure you have plenty of anaesthetic at hand, you might need it when you get your quote.

Thanks for the advice, so that's one for leave it and one for sort it. I have driven the car a few times this week, and I have got to admit that the more I drive the less I notice the problem, or as I rather suspect I am adjusting my driving to suit the old dear's special needs.

I think I shall hold off until my wife finishes her off completely. From what I can gather a sick clutch and a dead clutch both equal a new clutch, am I right?

Okay, today I noticed that the gear change is only an issue when the engine is cold. Could this be a problem with the transmission fluid? I have checked fluid levels are okay for oil, brake and clutch. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[moonstone mart]

Since your wife has only just passed her test she may have been riding the clutch and burning it out since she started driving the car.

If the clutch plate is worn and the pedal bite is high then a new clutch plate/cover and release bearing is your best bet.

As for the transmission when cold it may just need the fluid replacing - had people at work with poor gear change from cold and we have replaced the fluid with ATF and all is good.

Mart.

[davemcmaster]

Since your wife has only just passed her test she may have been riding the clutch and burning it out since she started driving the car.

If the clutch plate is worn and the pedal bite is high then a new clutch plate/cover and release bearing is your best bet.

As for the transmission when cold it may just need the fluid replacing - had people at work with poor gear change from cold and we have replaced the fluid with ATF and all is good.

Mart.

[davemcmaster]

Since your wife has only just passed her test she may have been riding the clutch and burning it out since she started driving the car.

If the clutch plate is worn and the pedal bite is high then a new clutch plate/cover and release bearing is your best bet.

As for the transmission when cold it may just need the fluid replacing - had people at work with poor gear change from cold and we have replaced the fluid with ATF and all is good.

Mart.

Thanks for the feedback. Today my misus came back from an 'advanced' post driving test lesson on parking. Lets just say that things went badly in the clutch department. Suffice as to say I could smell the clutch before I saw the car! Having said that I tried the clutch test later on by trying to set off in fifth gear. I was glad to discover that the car stalled.

So is a new clutch still my only option or is there any adjustment available on the bite height?

[cmia]

Tell her to stop riding the clutch..

[moonstone mart]

Tell her to stop riding the clutch..

It certainly would be cheaper! lol

Mart.