clutch slipping for first few miles?

[simonxm21]

morning all,
just a quick one, my xm's clutch slips from 2000 rpm for a few miles and then is goes away? especially when i floor it! abit like driving a cvt automatic car.
my speed does increase and i've done the put it in 4th gear with the handbrake on test of which it stalls?

where should the biting point be? i have the non adjustable cable clutch.

i'm abit baffled really.

[Peter.N.]

If the clutch is worn on the 2.1 it will tend to slip at about 2000 rpm because that's where maximum torque is being produced, it won't develop enough to stop it from stalling at pull away speed.

If you are not keen to do a clutch job - don't let it slip! it will wear rapidly if you do, on the other hand driven with restraint it could last another 20 or 30k. I had one that started slipping at about 175k which was still driving well at 192k when I sold it.

Peter

[simonxm21]

thanks peter i was afraid you'd say that! a clutch change is beyond my skills!

also it's impossible to drive up slip roads without some powering up which causes it to slip, i'd love to drive it sensible but here in bristol it's all hills.
the thing is it stop's slipping after a few miles almost like it's warmed up enough?

cheers.

[simonxm21]

just a thought, can a worn cv joint slip under load making me think it's the clutch?

[Peter.N.]

If a CV joint was that worn it slipped - it would fall to pieces. The only other possibility is that the o/s drive shaft is slipping out of the diff due to the centre bearing failing but you would more likely loose drive altogether if that were the case but intermittently. If the clutch is only slipping when you first drive off it could be caused by oil getting on to the linings which burns off after a while, but I would think you would smell it.

Peter

[simonxm21]

i did spray my clutch pivot with copper slip maybe that's got in somehow? i did this as the clutch pedal is heavy when used.

i'm sure it was o.k when i first bought it, but can't remember........

[Peter.N.]

I doubt that would be enough, more likely an oil leak from the rear crankshaft seal - but you never know. 2.1 clutches are always heavy except my white estate, it had an new clutch before I bought it and is as light as a feather, I would be almost inclined to take it out and find out why I suspect its the wrong clutch but its never slipped.

Peter

[simonxm21]

maybe i'm going to have to just drive it and see what happens
my volvo 940 has beautifully light clutch and gear change

thanks for you help.

[steelcityuk]

Following on from Peters comment about 2.1 clutches, compared to most cars they're weighty, if old and worn they can be very heavy, enough so to cause knee trouble. The only solution I've found is a new genuine/valeo clutch and cable, a good clean up and new set of bushes on the rod.

Well worth doing.

Steve.

[simonxm21]

QUOTE (steelcityuk @ May 25, 2011 11:48 am) 

Following on from Peters comment about 2.1 clutches, compared to most cars they're weighty, if old and worn they can be very heavy, enough so to cause knee trouble. The only solution I've found is a new genuine/valeo clutch and cable, a good clean up and new set of bushes on the rod.

Well worth doing.

Steve.

thanks steve, i'm going to persevere for know as the slipping goes after i've slipped for a few miles i'm trying to get debt free!!!

thanks everyone for your help

[Dieselman]

This will be the friction plate worn out, it's exactly how mine was. It slipped until it heated up, but on removal there was no pressure from the pressure plate at all.

[simonxm21]

QUOTE (Dieselman @ June 02, 2011 08:09 pm) 

This will be the friction plate worn out, it's exactly how mine was.  It slipped until it heated up, but on removal there was no pressure from the pressure plate at all.

oneway or another it's a new clutch just hope i can make it last until i can afford to get it changed

[blue94auto]

Hello Simon,
That looks like a very nice car you have. It is just like the first xm I had mine was a 2.1td manual, I had owned for a couple of years and on one occasion I was towing my caravan up a big hill near Aberystwyth and the clutch started slipping.
Being an idiot I panicked and sold the car to a mate, how I regret that now.
I love my mk2 2.1 auto but I look back at photo's of my mk1 and drool.
It is good advice to just drive it if you can and see how far you get ,you could get many thousands of miles out of it, plus wearing the clutch out is unlikely to harm any other components and you can fix it when you are loaded!
What a lovely car it's well worth fixing.
Gary

[Dieselman]

If you are really skint just do the friction plate, which will cost very little.

The 2.1 clutch is easy to do and can be done with the engine and gearbox in situ, just remove the n/s driveshaft, retreat the o/s shaft, undo the linkages, remove the battery box, LHM tank and gearbox mounting, while supporting the engine, then part the engine and gearbox and move it over.

[Peter.N.]

That sounds easier than I remember and I only changed the thrust bearing on mine.

Peter