New Clutch - HOW MUCH !!!!!

[woodys]

Well i finally have my t25 back after 2 weeks of it being in a garage getting a new clutch, i was first quoted £350 and final bill come to £750 ! and its still not 100%

When it when in for a new clutch i had a phone call to say i needed new engine mounts which put another £100 on the bill, then a few days later was told that the flywheel was knackered so another £150 was added to the bill

After waiting for the parts to arrive i had a call 2 weeks later saying its ready for collection but the clutch isnt 100% as there is no freeplay in the clutch at all, they told me to drive it gentley , the reason for this is because they reckon its been fitted with a different gearbox at some time and the part numbers for both clutch and flywheel have been discontinued so had to fit after market parts , they tried 3 clutches and 2 flywheels and this is the best they could get it.

They said the clutch is under warrentee for 12 months but dosnt cover wear and tear, so if i have no freeplay then its gonna wear out in no time then im buggered again.

Loosing my faith in my T25 already, only had it a couple of months and have broken down twice, been sent the wrong parts ( ht leads ) twice ( still cant find the correct ones ) , and now this......

I had to leave the t25 at the garage as when i jumped in it and started her up, it was running like a piece of dogs poo - i asked them to tune it up and they have made it worse, so im hoping for a phone call today saying its running nice again. I dont want to name the garage as i've been using them for years and had no problems with them at all, but i kinda feel like im being ripped off a bit by driving away with a new clutch which may only last a few hundred miles.

Its hard for me as im a full time dad on a low paid part time job and £750 for repair bills was a big kick in the balls for me, i hoping its gonna be ok but if anyone knows of a recommended place in East Sussex i could take it to in the future then please let me know.

Thanks for reading if you have got this far

[ermie571]

Hi Mate,

you haven't had the best start......

Don't understand why you can't get HT leads.....unless you have a special engine....where have you tried and what has gone wrong?

Running like a bag of poo - you should be able to sort out basic service stuff at home

Get in touch with Si TooManyToys on here....flipping good mobile mechanic who will answer your questions, show you what he is doing, and importantly, won't rip you off!

Doesn't sound like good news with the clutch.....just done mine on the roadside (or I should say Hubby and good friend did!!)

What had happened to fly wheel to warrent replacement.....and did you keep the old bits for inspection?

Good luck with it

Em
x

[Grifter]

I feel for ya mate, I dont know any vw specialists in that part of the world but that was gonna be my advice, to find someone who deals with these vans regulary. That way they will be able to sourse correct parts or at least give you the best advice on what to do.
When they work these are great vans so dont give up just yet, once you've spoken to someone "in the know" i'm sure you'll feel a bit more positive about things. But i suspect the'll be a few people on here who will be more than willing to help you.
Good luck with it and keep posting updates so we know how your getting along?

Rick.

[woodys]

Thanks people ,

I'll ask for the old parts today for inspection, i've had the same problem in the past with my American cars i owned but i thought with a vw these are quite basic to work on. I've always been into the vw scene owning loads of mk1 and mk2 golfs, scirrocos and corrados and have always had friends help me out with things but im new to this part of the country so dont really have any contacts locally and this is my first t25.

I dont mind paying my way, never expect favours from anyone but if im paying good money i expect the job to be done correct. I've no plans what so ever to sell her as we love it to bits and are looking forward to many weekends away camping. My knowledge of mechanical stuff is basic, i can service and do bits and bobs but dont like to get to involved.

Anyone that can pop over and check out this clutch set up would be great, i think the mechanics in this garage i took it to are more fitters than anything, wont be going there again.

[purplecrocs]

I live in East Sussex and have just bought a t25... I've been asking around about local mechanics, just for the day I do need one... ones that have been mentioned to me are Pfeiffer's (just googled them and seem its these people: http://pfeifferpartnership.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). I can't vouch for them as I havent used them but you could give them a try. Also, theres a place called Munich Kampers who I have come across, again, havent used them or know of anyone who has... http://www.munichkampers.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Both of these in Brighton & Hove....

[camper]

Can you advice what petrol engine it is and year of the van.Early vehicles had cable clutch cables later where hydraulic oparated.I dont like to here about no free play some think is not right.Carnt advice until more info.If you can get the gearbox code which is stamped on it this might be of help.

[woodys]

Can you advice what petrol engine it is and year of the van.Early vehicles had cable clutch cables later where hydraulic oparated.I dont like to here about no free play some think is not right.Carnt advice until more info.If you can get the gearbox code which is stamped on it this might be of help.

Its a 1970cc petrol , Aircooled, will try and get gearbox code today - thanks for your interest mate

[camper]

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ge ... saxle_Code" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; 2ltr cu engine gearbox code is located on the link.If the garage said it might have a diffrent gearbox first check the code

[ermie571]

Dear lord - an air cooled clutch change is much quicker and easier than a watercooled - some drop the engine, some drop the box! Water cooled can't drop the engine!!


Early aircooleds did have a cable clutch, but think these were restricted to 1600 - I had a 1979 2lt CU, and that was hydraulic!

If you have a basic level of mechanics, sure you could check the clutch yourself...just need a mate ideally to assist with the balancing and alignment. We bought a clutch aligning too from a local car parts place - wasn't terrrible expensive.

When we did ours recently, think the clutch plate is only 5 bolts.....Flywheel is 6 bolts - and should have needed new bolts when replacing. (opinions on this differ though!)

Where is your new biting point - very low, middle or high?

Em
x

[ermie571]

oh...and as there are two of you in the same area....could you both get to the same place and bring Si down to do both vans.....split the travelling cost, and you can learn from each other's vans!!

ooo Just remembered....PEET (member on here) has a workshop somewhere in West Sussex - see the thread here https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 1#p7395561but maybe worth a pm?


Em
x

[skell]

I used to use Cares in Crowborough before I went 100% diy, never had any bs from them and work was good, always found ways for me to save money by doing what I could handle myself and getting them to do the rest.

If you need someone to have a look/help do the cluthc drop me a pm, don't know out about tuning aircooleds though...

[Mocki]

the point here is, has the van always been a 2l ?
i know of one locally (and on here) that was a CT (1600) and is now a CU (2000) and it has a cable clutch, its also had flywheel issues when it was time for a new clutch.

from my experience there isnt a place worth taking one of these in your neck of the woods, they all seem to want to rip everyone off....

the price of the clutch its self is about £90 , should only take 5 hours max to change, but with your complications, at £40 or more a hour you can soon get a huge bill. £300 seems about the right price all in, with no coomplications

i would be challenging the cost of the engine mountings, after researching the real price.

if the clutch isnt correct, dont pay.

[Damien]

Seems like a lot of people are getting these sorts of problems with garages overcharging, best to find out gearbox code, hydraulic or cable clutch, then speak to someone who knows his stuff such as toomanytoys. Its not too major a job to do yourself if you have the time. Id be quite worried about what they have done to make this clutch swap work if they are letting you have it back and its not 100%

[toomanytoys]

Mmm.. i wouldnt be going back to that garage...... ever... Did they have horses tied up outside??

I'd like to know where they got the flywheel from then... and did they check and set the crankshaft end float??

You are going to have to go under the van and identify what gearbox code and if it has a hydraulic clutch or cable..

Cable clutch can be adjusted... hydraulic is self adjusting...

There have been a lot of new owners coming on here this year with similar tales... so dont be too down.. and there are lots of experienced owners to point you in the right direction..

[woodys]

WOW thanks ever so much to everyone that has replied, if ever i meet any of you i'll buy you a drink !

had a vw mechanic look over it yesterday, and he said it seemed ok ( bitting point etc ) but its going to a good friend of mine up in northampton who will go over everything that has been done so i'll let you all know the outcome.

I took it to this garage as its very local to me and had no problems with them in the past, they seem genuine and who knows, someone may have messed about with my t25 in the past.

I must admit it does drive so much better and they tuned it up too and runs like a dream, but for how long the clutch is gonna last is another thing !

Thanks again to all for the sound advice