Hi,
The car is 1.9JTD Marea Weekend, year 2001.
I had clutch change 20k miles ago, and now, it's starting to judder.

The thing is, that it judders only when engine is warm and pulling away in 1st gear. When I say warm, it means, that engine reaches running temperature. When engine is cold, there is no judder at all.

When I release the clutch pedal, it judders just before clutch is fully engaged. If I push throttle harder, the judder increase. When starting uphill, with 3 persons in the car, it is absolutely horrifying, it judders like hell. The only thing I can do is to pull away with as little throttle as possible.

I have to say that those 20k miles consisted (80%) of stop - 1st gear - stop driving on 10mile journeys (through city traffic), so it may be normal, but I think that 20k is really soon for a clutch to break apart.

probably the flywheel is starting to act up. the JTD has a dual mass flywheel which can cause juddering even if the clutch is perfect. if it doesent get any worse best you could probably live with it..

Hi there fbarcode & stylers,

I am new to this forum but thought would like to share a recent experience of mine.

3 months ago bought a yr 2000 Marea Weekend JTD 105. Experienced slight clutch judder, thought of minor imperfections in the clutch assembly so lived with it.

Covered 10,000 kms since and last saturday, had a serious clutch issue. It slipped and shuddered big time while pulling away on a very busy junction. Gearbox was leaking oil from the bellhousing, suspected a shaft oil seal has given up. That might also explain clutch judder all this while. Friendly mechanic is pulling gearbox out today. I hazard a guess that the clutch would normally be a goner as well. Dont know what else broken, will find out later after lunch.

Not wishing to alarm anyone but if you see bits of oil below the gearbox, perhaps you should take a closer look. Its a tough choice yes since to have a look at the inside of the bellhousing means many hours of labour costs.

Regards,
Hamlin

Hi again,

Just went to the garage and had a better look at the bellhousing with car on lift and exhaust downpipe removed. TURNED out to be the drive shaft oil seal on the differential is leaking. Some bits of oil on the starter ring gear inside bellhousing but not much.

The snapshot now is that only a failed seal on differential casing and a clutch that is on its way out. It still didnt explain the hard shifting I experienced on Saturday. No idea if dual flywheel is fitted either, most likely is and hope its not faulty. Now my mechanic friend will do the seal first and then take a longish test drive with the car. See then if the clutch shudder has become worse which means will remove the gearbox for clutch change and a look at the flywheel.

Sorry for the wrong diagnosis in email earlier. I just thought that a cheap oil seal shouldnt be risked ruining an expensive piece of clutch.

KR,
Hamlin

Hi,

Thought an update would do my ealier post justice.

My problem was a busted input shaft bearing which damaged the input shaft cover and seal bush. This leaked oil out which got everywhere except the clutch plate.

Anyway, upon removing the gearbox, clutch plate is worn.

Flywheel okay and clean. rear crank oil seal also okay but I am replacing this seal nonetheless.

Replaced Clutch, input shaft bearing, input shaft guide, differential oil seals, rear crank oil seal (expensive for a seal!) and refilled with factory spec ZC 75 Synth. Gearbox internals spared from damage...whew.

Now the car is back on the road and hell, the clutch is waaay lighter than before. Gearbox is quiet now.

Hope this could help others who has a howling 1st gear and a judder.