Clutch Question

[mlhs]

In the summer my clutch started slipping every now and then it stopped and has been fine, the car was off the road for around 6 months. I have just dont the front brake pads and a new battery and everything seems fine, however im still thinking i need to do the clutch. I drive the car cautiously as to not put too much strain on the clutch, and its boring!

I have only just started working again after returning from holiday, after finishing uni. So money is a little tight atm, if i can hold out another month or two that would be great.

However the biting point on the clutch seems to be very high, and i dont remember it being so although its been a while since ive driven the car. Ive checked the fluid level and all seems fine, i also looked on the mk1 site and read up on some clutch issues, someone suggested putting it into 4th gear and letting the clutch out whilst stationary and it stalls. I know that doesn't mean its fine.

So question is, is there any way to adjust where the biting point of the clutch is? If not are these warning signs to get my clutch changed asap?

Cheers Marc

[kaiowas]

If it's just high then it's pretty much a case of "It'll need doing soon but no hurry just yet". From there it'll progress to slipping slightly if you absent mindedly rest your foot on the pedal under acceleration, then it'll start slipping if you floor it in too high a gear, then it'll just steadily get worse gradually needing less and less throttle to make it slip. Somewhere in this phase it'll become painfully obvious that it's at the end of it's useful life and will become really annoying to drive but even then it'll still be capable of getting you from A-B for a while before finally stranding you somewhere.

[System-G]

My 1a track car had a high bite on the clutch when I first got it. During a recent engine swap I figured I may as well replace it with a new clutch.

It wasn't needed, but done nonetheless as I had the part. It still bites fairly high.

When it was slipping, could you smell it?

[mlhs]

When it was slipping i couldn't smell anything. What would that suggest? As i say aslong as it will hold out till new year ill have the money to buy the clutch, as me and a friend will do the work. I just cant wait to get it sorted and be able to enjoy driving to the capabilities of the car, as right now i feel like a 70 yr old sunday driver.

[System-G]

Generally if a clutch slips you can smell it quite clear, although in MR cars it's more difficult to smell if you're driving at the time, but you should still be able to smell it once you get out the car.

Sometimes the plate can get quite hot and the clutch can feel spongy or if slipped for s short period, it doesn't necessarily mean it's totally gone.

If it feels fine again now, don't go trying to slip it, just drive like normal. You may be surprised how much longer it lasts.

Try this though to see exactly how bad it is.

Try pulling off from standstill in 2nd. If slippage is immediate back off.
If not, proceed to next test.

Once at 3k in 2nd, drop into 4th and accellerate to around 4k. If its slips back off immediately.
If not, you should be fine for a long while yet.

If it slips on either of the two tests above, get it changed now before you're left stranded. If not, then happy motoring until it does eventually give.

If no slippage on the above tests, it could either have been an isolated over-heating moment or something else is wrong on the clutch system.

[PW@Woodsport]

So question is, is there any way to adjust where the biting point of the clutch is?

You can adjust the bite point by turning the clutch master rod on the back of the pedal, but that won't make any difference if the clutch itself is slipping, that will only alter the "slip point".

[System-G]

You can adjust the bite point by turning the clutch master rod on the back of the pedal,

I forgot about the bite point adjustment. Really need to sort mine out as it's way too high for my liking

[mlhs]

Cheers for the info ill give it a go when i get some time off work, will kepp you posted.

Marc

[mister2mk1]

Whats the rule on the Clutch pedal adjustment?

Mine bites really low which can easily lead to stalling or crunching.... Do I need to screw the pedal adjustment in or out?

cheers

[PW@Woodsport]

Looking at the pedal in the footwell, turn the adjusting rod clockwise to raise the bite point.Two or three turns should do it.

[superwhite]

Mine bites really low which can easily lead to stalling or crunching

Mine was the same but after I changed and bled the clutch fluid it all went back to 'normal'.
I do have ~180k miles on (I think) the same clutch though, so it will need changing at some point - but changing the 'very black' clutch fluid made a huge improvement...

[jnoiles]

I've recently had a clutch replaced and clutch line bled through with new fluid as well. The bite point is quite high which is a little surprising but liveable. Then the other day I started noticing slipping at about 4-5k rpm. I find it hard to accept that the clutch has packed it in after less than 500 miles. I don't smell any clutch type smells either. Is there something obvious I should check? Anyone else ever seen this?

cheers
Jason