Table of contents: Is the clutch slipping? ↓ Is the clutch disengaging correctly? ↓
The degree of wear of the clutch slave disk cannot be determined in the assembled state. The first sign of a defect is when the clutch slips. You will first notice clutch slippage when driving in top gear under load. The engine runs at high speeds, but the speed does not increase. A certain explanation can be given by the following method, which should only be used occasionally:
Is the clutch slipping?
1. Set the handbrake, start the engine.
2. Put the car in 3rd gear, slowly engage the clutch and give it gas.
3. If the handbrake is working properly, the engine should stall.
4. If the engine runs, the clutch is faulty.
Is the clutch disengaging correctly?
If the gearbox shifts poorly when the engine is warm, or the gear shifting process is accompanied by scraping or rattling sounds, then the clutch is probably not disengaging properly. Very rarely, this effect is associated with a gearbox malfunction. To be sure, let's check in 1st gear or in reverse:
1. Start the engine at idle speed.
2. Fully depress the clutch pedal, wait about three seconds, then try to engage 1st gear or reverse.
3. If the gear is difficult to engage or a grinding noise is heard, this means that the clutch is not disengaging cleanly, i.e. the driven disk is not rotating completely freely.
4. Check the hydraulic clutch system and bleed it.
5. Check again.
6. Information about other causes of malfunctions can be found in the section Help with malfunctions at the end of the chapter.