Hello.
Just changed the cambelt on a Fiat Ducato 2.3 Multijet (MY2010). Everything was timed using the crank and camshaft pins, etc. New tensioner set correctly and camshaft pulley released to allow for tension at front (as per Fiat manual).

Drives okay and was ready to give myself a pat on the back - BUT now I have a noticeable clunk when releasing the clutch, i.e. press on clutch pedal and towards the end of releasing, there is a clunk from the gear box. Happens in neutral as well as gear changes.

I had to raise/drop engine slightly to get cambelt guard out of the engine bay. I've checked the engine mounts and they "look" okay. Can changing a cambelt screw up the clutch somehow? I've been under the engine and the clunk is defo coming from the gear box when releasing clutch (engine running).

Peeved off big time

Dezbo said:

Hello.
Just changed the cambelt on a Fiat Ducato 2.3 Multijet (MY2010). Everything was timed using the crank and camshaft pins, etc. New tensioner set correctly and camshaft pulley released to allow for tension at front (as per Fiat manual).

Drives okay and was ready to give myself a pat on the back - BUT now I have a noticeable clunk when releasing the clutch, i.e. press on clutch pedal and towards the end of releasing, there is a clunk from the gear box. Happens in neutral as well as gear changes.

I had to raise/drop engine slightly to get cambelt guard out of the engine bay. I've checked the engine mounts and they "look" okay. Can changing a cambelt screw up the clutch somehow? I've been under the engine and the clunk is defo coming from the gear box when releasing clutch (engine running).

Peeved off big time

Click to expand...

Not directly related...

Have you driven it yet..??

Just to see if other functions are affected

Hi. Yes drives okay, no judders. It only happens when I release the clutch quickly - if I release pressure on the pedal slowly, there's no clunk. Engine mounts seem okay? I was going to check the clutch linkage from the master cylinder but I can't work out where the clutch slave enters the gearbox. Had a garage look at it as well but they just scratched their heads
Really can't think what has gone wrong?

Dezbo said:

Hi. Yes drives okay, no judders. It only happens when I release the clutch quickly - if I release pressure on the pedal slowly, there's no clunk. Engine mounts seem okay? I was going to check the clutch linkage from the master cylinder but I can't work out where the clutch slave enters the gearbox. Had a garage look at it as well but they just scratched their heads
Really can't think what has gone wrong?

Click to expand...

Could be inner tripod clunk, is the rear mount definitely ok, if you drop the engine without opening that it can tear.

Update:
Took it to a garage who said it was probably the mounts - so had them replace the relevant ones- expensive, but I couldn't get enough torque under the van to release the bolts to do it myself. Surprise, surprise, clunk is still there Now they are saying that it's normal for a clutch to make that noise (gave me some technical babble). Still got a clunky clutch but some shiny new gearbox/engine mounts. Process of elimination I guess. Can't afford to touch it again so will try driving with it for a while and see if it gets any worse. They certainly saw me coming !!!

in the centre of the clutch friction plate will be a row of springs designed to absorb transmission shocks, give a smoother power delivery, and prevent engine and road wheel shocks from damaging the plate and linings. These springs get overheated especially on a heavy caravan and become shortened, which leaves a small amount of free play which can be noticed at times on driving especially on power takeup. They can also be heard rattling. If you have a good mileage on the speedometer you may like to think about replacing the friction plate at least, maybe the drive plate, and perhaps even the flywheel, although this latter should last the life of the chassis unless it becomes scored by a slip condition going neglected. The pressure plate springs can also become weak through use and overheating, and if it's got a diaphragm spring pressure plate it's worthwhile to change the entire clutch.

This only started after a cambelt change so it must have caused some 'play' somewhere?

I've uploaded a video to youtube to show the problem...



Thanks.