Club 80-90 Forums

Hi,

Just back from France and I would welcome thoughts or possible explanantion for a recent problem.

On our first day in France we drove from Calais to Millau a distance of just under 600 miles in very high temperatues 30+ during the day. No problems with engine, overheating etc but from about half distance whenever we stopped, tolls, fuel etc when moving off we had monster clutch judder. The only way to overcome this was to re-dip the clutch and use more revs than normal. It was so bad I thought something on the rear suspension had come loose or similar with an engine mount but all seemed ok on inspection. No oil leaks either.

The following morning in the Millau campsite there was a small amount of judder but this dimished to nothing after doing a few short trips the following day. For the next two and a bit weeks we had no further problems including some other long drives 300+ miles with temperatues still warm but not quite as hot. Other than the above we did 2400 troble free miles cruising in the 60 to 68mph range and averaged 32mpg. We used just over 1 litre of oil which is more than normal but I put down to the long spells of high speed cruising.

I am thinking that the high temperatures and long run had allowed oil to weep past the seal onto the clutch but cant really understand why shorter runs in equally high temps including some big passes did not cause similar problems.

Could anything else have caused this intermittant problem?

Thanks.. Phil

Hello,

I'd diagnose that exactly as you have - you could check for a gearbox input shaft oil leak too, but that would smell very strongly.

It's hard to explain why some situation cause it and other do always, but it's probably to do with oil temperature and use of the clutch itself. Long runs and the oil will get hot and thin, not so much so with the shorter runs. Also - if oil is collecting between the flywheel and pressure plate, and you don't use the clutch for a while, as in a long run, then there's nothing to shift it. I'm guessing than on shorter runs and big climbs, you changed gear, which will have contributed to dissipating the oil collecting there, whereas on a long run probably you stayed in top gear.

Ewen

Thanks for response,

Yes, some of the mountain passes with hairpins included a lot of gearchanging others just a grind in 3rd or 4th, forgot to mention its a diesel with an AAZ conversion and 5sp ABN box.

Cant decide now whether to drop gearbox and check seals or wait until/if it comes back.

Cheers.. Phil

that road up to Millau from Montpellier's pretty amazing eh?

I don't suppose there's a chance you overfilled the oil is there?

The seal can wear a lip in the shaft and a new seal just stays it off for a short time.
from then on unless the lip is dealt with clutch judder will be ever present

I had to remark the dipstick for the AAZ conversion and probably erred more in favour of overfilling rather than under but this has been the case for the last 20,000 miles.

Based on Kevs response I will probably wait to see if it returns in the short term and deal with it when it does.

Thanks.. Phil

that road up to Millau from Montpellier's pretty amazing eh?

the bridge is an interesting site as well.

to be honest if its gone at the moment just see how it goes , check the gear/engine oil and just keep tabs on it.

if you do plan on dropping the box , then consider a clutch , crank seal,input shaft seal while its out

and as said check for wear , dont just fit new parts!

You could also check engine mounts.
If clutch has suffered a little and judders, then broken mounts will make that judder seem much worse as the engine jumps a bit, these mounts stabilise the engine.