W203 Coupe clutch problem

[peelmeister]

HI all

Ive got a 2003 C200K coupe with only 54k miles on it

I've been having difficulty in selecting 1st and 2nd gears - especially 1st when from a standing start, so I've dropped it off to my local indie to have a look

Aparently the solution is that I need a new clutch after only 54K - may I add ive only had the vehicle for 3 months or so.

Is this normal on a vehicle with only this amount of miles on it? also i've been quoted 5 hours to fit the new clutch (which im OK about) plus the cost of the clutch. However, he cannot determine which type of clutch it is until he starts dismanting it - aparently there are two types of clutch that it could be - is this correct - can someone please advise

In summary:-

Is it normal to have the clutch replaced after only 54K?
Could the problem be something else other then the clutch?
What type of clutch do i have?
HOw much would a new clutch be?

Thanks in advance guys

Andy

 

[jaymanek]

maybe the slave cylinder?

how long have you had the car? My wifes is exactly the same but its just how it is.

 

[recycled]

No it is not normal except if you have been riding the clutch. have you got a second opinion. Looks like you may have a selector problem,.
best way to check if it is the clutch or clutch plate, Is to switch off car, put it in gear, start with the foot on the clutch pedal and drive off. If your revs rise faster than the speed and you are going nowhere at 4k revs, then you have a clutch problem.
better still. Just start it in gear and see if the car jumps forward if your foot is not on the clutch.

Are there any scratchy noises coming when you try to put it in gear?

 

[peelmeister]

Thats one thing I dont do is ride the clutch, which surprises me that one in needed - ive not done the driving off while foot on the brake thingy - can only do that this evening when i collect the car - theres not noises at all when selecting 1st it just takes one hell of a push to get it in and it feel like its "grinding"

 

[lynall]

Had same on a renault years ago and also was the clutch, was convinced was gearbox fault tried different oils until i bit the bullet and took the engine and gearbox out to get at the clutch.

When i drove it afterwards i was convinced i had done something wrong as clutch was so light, but was okay and old one was obviously more knackered than i thought, didnt slip just difficult to select 1st and reverse.

5 hours! we get 3.5hrs to change the clutch on a daf tractor unit at work.




Lynall

 

[panason1c]

Might be on the wrong track here but i thought i saw something about lowering the gearbox oil level to cure the problem you describe..........i think 'television' has the details for this........



EDIT...While i was doing a search for you i see television has already responded to you on the other thread.

 

[Sp!ke]

Worthwhile giving the clutch hydraulics a quick bleed just to rule them out. If it improves matters, I would suspect the slave cylinder.

My W124 clutch was just replaced recently by me at 185000 miles. Turned out it didnt need replacing either. I recon a decent indie would be able to do the clutch in 3 hours.

 

[Dieselman]

Plant your foot on the floor, engage 1st and sit and wait for 30 secs. If the clutch starts to drag more it will be either of the hydraulic cylinders. If it's not losing fluid suspect the master cylinder, if it is, suspect the slave.

 

[alibally]

The slave cylinder on this car is in the gearbox bellhousing as it incorporates the release bearing so the box has to come out anyway. If the gearbox comes out the you would probably better doing the clutch as well. I would get the gearshift adjustment checked as well. Is the gearshift better when hot? If the oil level is too high this can give this fault