Hi, my 1.2 8v 2000 Punto has always (for the year I have owned it anyway) occasionally made a weird sound when you pull off in 1st, however recently it has started doing it much more often.

It seems to happen just as the clutch "bites" and the car moves off. The only way I can describe the noise is its like someone playing a single note on a flute or recorder.

There are no strange noises any other time, just at that point. The only other symptom that might be related is the car sometimes judders when pulling off. Apart from that it drives fine.

Any ideas as to what it might be?

it sounds like a clutch release bearing .what is the mileage on your car

rick500 said:

it sounds like a clutch release bearing .what is the mileage on your car

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Only on 24k

minifiat said:

Only on 24k

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24k?? you got a new car there

flisko said:

24k?? you got a new car there

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Haha, bought it off an old man around the corner from me last year.

Had only done 18k in 15 years at that point.

Our release bearing and springs had a go at each other at 42k. There's 78k on the replacement so far.
Is there a point in the pedal travel with a slight notchiness or any clicking from the bellhousing when your assistant presses the pedal ?

Brendan W said:

Our release bearing and springs had a go at each other at 42k. There's 78k on the replacement so far.
Is there a point in the pedal travel with a slight notchiness or any clicking from the bellhousing when your assistant presses the pedal ?

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I will have to check tomorrow

minifiat said:

Haha, bought it off an old man around the corner from me last year.

Had only done 18k in 15 years at that point.

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bingpot

Brendan W said:

Our release bearing and springs had a go at each other at 42k. There's 78k on the replacement so far.
Is there a point in the pedal travel with a slight notchiness or any clicking from the bellhousing when your assistant presses the pedal ?

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Checked today, and there is a definite notchichess to the pedal, seemed to be a point about halfway up the pedal where you could feel it. Quite a loud knock as well.

I assume that means thrust bearings then?

The notchiness in the pedal coupled with a clicky clocky noise is a strong indicator that either bearing or spring fingers or both are breaking up. Doesn't much matter which as the box has to come off and a new kit is in order anyway.

Brendan W said:

The notchiness in the pedal coupled with a clicky clocky noise is a strong indicator that either bearing or spring fingers or both are breaking up. Doesn't much matter which as the box has to come off and a new kit is in order anyway.

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What will happen if I just leave it? The car drives ok as it is at the moment.

Given Murphy's law, it will work perfectly for a long time until one windy wet night when you are on a bad road many miles from home with no mobile signal it will die!

You will end up with a mashed up clutch, if the bearing collapses then it will eat into the clutch and usually jams it to the bearing / flywheel then your stuck in gear and have to use your engine revs to slip in and out of gear, it can also fail the opposite way so your stuck ib neautral (even when in gear).

Get it replaced quick!

I best get it sorted then!

Isn't 24k a low mileage for a clutch to go?

digger58 said:

Given Murphy's law, it will work perfectly for a long time until one windy wet night when you are on a bad road many miles from home with no mobile signal it will die!

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haha, thats true, i would leave it till it works

minifiat said:

I best get it sorted then!

Isn't 24k a low mileage for a clutch to go?

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It's sixteen years built with little use and maybe long layups. At a guess corrosion got a hold of it.

24k is a low milage for a clutch to give problems but you say you got it off an old man he may ride the clutch a lot this could ware a clutch out in very low miles