Hi All

Hope you can help me

I am experiencing Clutch Judder on my Ducato 2.8jtd Motorhome, it is a 2005 model with 40000 miles.
The problem appears when driving off with a cold engine in first gear, it seems to happen mainly on damp mornings. After a few minutes of driving the clutch is fine.
I have noticed on the bottom of the Gearbox there is a square open hole (about 6cm square ) where i can see the clutch mechanism rotating , does anyone know if this hole should have a cover over it to stop any damp or muck getting in , or is it a drain hole that should not be covered.


Many Thanks

There was a posting here about the big hole at the bottom of the bell housing.
I don't think there was a cover fitted from new by the comments other members have made. My 2.8jtd doesn't have one either and I was concerned by the rusty state of the clutch cover plate.
Bought a plastic engine underguard off fleabay which stops all the crud getting under the engine.
Are there any signs of oil leaking through this opening from the rear crankshaft seal or have you used a lighter grade of engine oil which is known to cause seepage through the crankshaft seal?
Sadly motorhomes spend most of their life standing around which does nothing for the mechanics of the vehicle and need additional oil changes to help with the spasmodic conditions.
When I changed my gearbox oil it had started emulsifying due to irregular use.
If your clutch isn't showing signs of slipping and there're no nasty noises then I'd keep an eye on it and give it a good run to dry things out.

Did you ever sort out your clutch judder? I have a 1994, Hymer B694, Fiat 2.5TD, 8140.47 engine (SOFIM?) that does exactly the same as you describe. Mine seems to be random, as in I can take it out of the drive on a cold morning, no judder, work on it all day and then put it back on the drive at the end of the day with judder? I thought at first it might be the handbrake sticking on but I've left it parked in gear and it give me judder so I don't know what it is. On an older B694 (1990) with the J5 engine, I experienced judder which was eradicated when I changed engine mountings.......but on that one the judder was constant and also had a poor top speed (before changing the mounts the top speed was about 48MPH....after, a whopping 68MPH)

althemusicwizard said:

Did you ever sort out your clutch judder? I have a 1994, Hymer B694, Fiat 2.5TD, 8140.47 engine (SOFIM?) that does exactly the same as you describe. Mine seems to be random, as in I can take it out of the drive on a cold morning, no judder, work on it all day and then put it back on the drive at the end of the day with judder? I thought at first it might be the handbrake sticking on but I've left it parked in gear and it give me judder so I don't know what it is. On an older B694 (1990) with the J5 engine, I experienced judder which was eradicated when I changed engine mountings.......but on that one the judder was constant and also had a poor top speed (before changing the mounts the top speed was about 48MPH....after, a whopping 68MPH)

Click to expand...

I cannot remember the exact details of the ones that were recalled because of reversing judder..
but I think more likely to be the 2005'ish than mid-90's