Think my clutch is stuffed? Options?

[poyta]

Hi Guys.

I think the clutch in my 6 speed 2007 GT TDi is on its way out. Anyone who's been following my build thread knows that the car been flashed and has had a few performance improvements so I think maybe the clutch just can't handle the over 400Nm of torque is engine is now putting out? I certainly don't thrash the car, ride the clutch or do any burnouts so can't think of any other reason why its suddenly slipping at only 60,000kms.

Funny thing is that is doesn't seem to happen all the time. I've been noticing it for about a week with some mild slip here and there but yesterday it just slipped like crazy, anything over 3/4 throttle just sent the revs increasing but no acceleration in the car. If I held it then a second later its like it hooked up and started to accelerate. More evident in 3rd gear. Today she seems to be ok for some reason.

Can it be anything else? Is there some kind of adjustment that can be made or do I have to bite the bullet and get a new clutch? If so what are my best options as I don't want to go for the stock OEM unit and would rather get something a bit more heavier duty - can someone make a recommendation and ideally to save costs I'd rather buy something online and get some here to fit it rather than take it to the dealers who I'm sure will charge through the roof!!

Whats this dual mass flywheel thing I keep hearing about on the forums?

[wai]

Ok, here's how you can tell if your clutch is slipping.

Now you donot have to keep trying this just to see.

Put the transmission into top gear, Now try and drive off. You will not be able to, but it will stall the engine, as if the clutch is good, the engine will stall, no matter how powerful it is. If the clutch is sslipping, then you wil go nowhere, but the engine will not stall either. You are not going to gun the engine like this. You will know straight away (within seconds) if the clutch is slipping or not.

As I said, you are not going to try and drive this way, just to see if the engine will stall. Neither do you keep repeating the test on a regular basis. It is no different to tying to drive off in the wrong gear when the engine stalls, only if the clutch is slipping, the engine will not stall and you will go nowhere.

If the clutch is worn, then you are unlikely to be able to do anything other than replace it as there is not much ability to adjust the clamping pressure.

[poyta]

Ok guys, time to re-address this. My clutch problem that I reported here 6 months ago actually disappeared and I've had 10,000kms of no problems with a super strong clutch. No idea why but since I've never heard of a clutch magically coming back to life I assume it was something else? Anyway, the issue is back - its slipping again so think I may have to look at getting it replaced.
Can anyone advise on my original questions - what are my best options for replacement considering I would want something better than OEM, Where's the best place to get it and what are the pro's/cons of changing from a dual mass to a single mass flywheel?

[lol.u.mad.bro]

mk5_tdi on here just bought a new clutch from Darkside Developments. I've link him this thread. Hopefully he can point you in the right direction!

[gldgti]

poyta, sounds like its getting contaminated by oil or something.

Could be crank seal or gearbox input shaft seal, or even something higher up on the engine leaking down into the bellhousing.

[poyta]

poyta, sounds like its getting contaminated by oil or something.

Could be crank seal or gearbox input shaft seal, or even something higher up on the engine leaking down into the bellhousing.

Yeah perhaps, certainly doesn't sound like a worn clutch if one day it grips fine and then the next day it slips. Guess I'll have to take it in to get checked out. Problem will of course be the day I take it in it will be fine.

[phillip1978]

So how did you go. Am having exactly the same issue, slip then no slip, then a day later slip etc.

[Greg Roles]

Ben at Tarmac Engineering has the awesome new South clutches now, and at sensible prices. They have single mass, quiet replacements. I had my eye on them as a top product to stock. Dark side have great replacements too, but the shipping is always the killer there.

My clutch has only slipped once at over 500 nm, so they can indeed take a lot, my car is at 137 Kms.

[getjet]

Ben at Tarmac Engineering has the awesome new South clutches now, and at sensible prices. They have single mass, quiet replacements. I had my eye on them as a top product to stock. Dark side have great replacements too, but the shipping is always the killer there.

My clutch has only slipped once at over 500 nm, so they can indeed take a lot, my car is at 137 Kms.

Southbend?

I've got one in mine and even though they are advertised as silent, there are times at lights where I have to double pump the pedal to get rid of the chatter. 90% of the time it's silent though.

[poyta]

I've removed the Bluefin tune and reverted back to stock in light of my DPF issues ( anything to try and minimize soot production ) and this has reduced torque levels to a point where the clutch is now fine so no need to change at the moment. Was going to replace it with one of those darkside units but I was going to go dual mass, not single - hate noisy clutches.