Is my clutch on the way out?

[Podney]

Took the van for a run today as we haven’t used it for a month,and I like to keep it “on the move” to keep things working.
I’ve wondered about the clutch clearance in the past but never investigated further on the basis of “if it ain’t bust,don’t fix it”
And Im lazy lol.
The clearance is small,maybe half an inch or so.
There are no other signs of wear,to the untrained eye or ear or nose.
I don’t even know if it’s a cable clutch or electronic.
The van is a Fiat Ducato X244 2.8jtd 2006. 38000 miles

Should I be concerned?
How can I tell if it needs attention?
Annual service not due until August.

Any advice and comments welcome. Thank you.

 

[DBK]

If you have a garage you trust take it to them for an opinion. When they (clutches) go they can fail quickly and leave you stranded.

 

[Boringfrog]

Not sure I understand what you mean by clutch clearance, but get hold of the clutch pedal and lift it up, mine sometimes sticks down slightly as the master cylinder is sticking through lack of use.

 

[andy63]

The clearance is small,maybe half an inch or so.

What Clarence are you on about?
Take it out to a good steep hill and do a hill start..
If there is no slipping it will be fine???
Andy

 

[Podney]

By clearance, (who’s Clarence) I mean the amount the clutch pedal goes down before it starts to take effect.
I thought everyone knew that

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[Googlebot]

If it’s gone, you will know it’s gone!

 

[Podney]

If it’s gone, you will know it’s gone!

It hasn’t gone.
But if,for example,I could judge it may have only 1000 miles of life left in it,I would change it. Then it wouldn’t let me down when Im on holiday in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Googlebot]

It hasn’t gone.
But if,for example,I could judge it may have only 1000 miles of life left in it,I would change it. Then it wouldn’t let me down when Im on holiday in the middle of nowhere.

That’s the issue. You can never tell till they have given up. I would have thought they were good for about 75000 miles though.

 

[Boringfrog]

It hasn’t gone.
But if,for example,I could judge it may have only 1000 miles of life left in it,I would change it. Then it wouldn’t let me down when Im on holiday in the middle of nowhere.

Mine started slipping on the A1 South when heading to Spain for 3 Months, lasted until I got back home no problem.

 

[Jake Royd]

A test professionals use is to get going up a hill in a relatively high gear for the hill. Note engine rpm.
Keeping the throttle fixed dip the clutch quickly.

Revs should rise and immediately resume , without any slippage.

You will know if it slips.

A really bad clutch may start slipping as you ready the vehicle up the hill for the test.

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[Stealaway]

Try to accelerate up a reasonably steep hill. If its worn out you'll hear the rev rise.

 

[andy63]

By clearance, (who’s Clarence) I mean the amount the clutch pedal goes down before it starts to take effect.
I thought everyone knew that

No I don't know Clarence.???
I did wonder if you were on about a clearance that often had to be set in the old cable operated systems..
Andy

 

[JohnJan]

Start the engine, put it in 4th gear (with the clutch engaged clearly), take the handbrake off and try to pull away releasing the clutch pedal fast. It should bang and stall. If you slowly move forward it's time for a new clutch kit.

 

[Lofty1]

As you can buy clutch cables for a 244 it sounds as if it requires adjustment, if I remember correctly it is about half to one inch clearance but check with an agent also make sure the cable is free and well lubed

 

[Podney]

Thanks folks,some good advice as always.

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[MANGOFORTH]

The clutch has gone in my trooper. Go about 20 mph, stick in it 4th gear, floor it. Rev counter goes up to max rpm then slowly drops into gear.

Clutches are overrated though. Drove a corsa around with no clutch for a year until it died. Electical fault. Gearbox was fine ?

 

[Podney]

The clutch has gone in my trooper. Go about 20 mph, stick in it 4th gear, floor it. Rev counter goes up to max rpm then slowly drops into gear.

Clutches are overrated though. Drove a corsa around with no clutch for a year until it died. Electical fault. Gearbox was fine ?

Yep,I do remember changing gear without the clutch on a few old bangers,mainly Austin’s,Morris and that ilk,but only because you could! The gear boxes were so sloppy you could go from 4th to reverse in one go...well,maybe not but you get my gist.