General Is petrol clutch lighter action than diesel?

[MrMultipla]

Hello, I know it is often the case that a petrol clutch is lighter action than diesel but can anyone confirm whether this is the case in Multiplas please? My wife hates driving the JTD due to heavy clutch. Thinking of getting a petrol one instead but they are few and far between to test.
Nb. Had the JTD clutch replaced last year and it's now lighter than it was so I don't think it is unusually heavy.
Thanks!

 

[sirias]

My clutch was done about a month ago now and it is as light as a feather so I don't think there will be a huge difference if any


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[MultiplaAbarth]

Never driven a 16v, but guess the clutch is the same due to the same gearbox and economies of scale...
I've always found a new clutch to be light with it getting harder with age (heating up clutch cover forks, tempering...)

 

[lancia8888]

I've just changed my clutch on Friday. The release bearing sits on a sleeve that goes over the input shaft. The release bearing slides over this creating friction/suction when the pedal is pressed. This causes the pedal to feel stiff, as dirt and dust collects on it. Not sure if the petrol version has a lighter clutch though……
I've included a picture so you can see the sleeve held in by 2 10mm bolts. Its also advisable to replace the top hat bushes on the selector fork,one at the bottom and one at the top.

 

[lancia8888]

The top hat bushes that I keep going on about…...

 

[hastingsmum]

I've had one of each and noticed no difference


Selling my beautiful black 17" alloys, any interest?

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[MrMultipla]

Thanks everyone. Looks like it wouldn't help then - I didn't realise the 16v has the same gearbox & clutch mech.
Don't think I'll be taking the clutch out to clean up the input shaft, oh well! Not much else would help I suppose?

 

[widemouthfrog]

I didn't realise the 16v has the same gearbox & clutch mech.

I don't think it does. I haven't compared the part numbers to be certain, but clutch kits for the 1.6 petrol are a lot cheaper than for the JTD. I doubt the 1.6 will have a DMF either (not so much need for one for a petrol engine).

 

[portland_bill]

Any clutch has to transmit the torque of the engine. As torque increases, the manufacturer can increase the clutch diameter and therefore friction material area, or increase the clutch spring pressure. You have to overcome this pressure when you press the pedal. To make it lighter in operation you need to increase the leverage, but a longer pedal, with longer travel may not be possible. You can't drive a car with a clutch pedal with too long a travel as your sitting position would be compromised. Diameter is restricted by space available.

Diesel engines produce more torque than petrols, so usually have much heavier clutches. It is unusual for any manufacturer to use the heavy clutch on petrol models, but some aftermarket suppliers have done so. So a petrol should be a lighter clutch, but as said above, this is affected by wear & tear, dirt, etc.