General Issues with clutch

[Lakishajane]

Hi, can anyone suggest or shed some light on what might be the issue with my clutch.

When I go to pull away when the car is mainly cold it’s very juddery (just like when you first past your test and you’re getting used to pulling away/ not stalling every time )

It’s also very clunky and when I change gear and take my foot off the clutch pedal sometimes it makes the car jolt forward. The clutch pedal also comes up quite sudden when you take your foot off.

I have no issues putting the car into gear ect. 9/10 is not a nice drive.

It’s a 2020 Fiat 500 MHEV.

 

[Greasytrucker]

Hi, can anyone suggest or shed some light on what might be the issue with my clutch.

When I go to pull away when the car is mainly cold it’s very juddery (just like when you first past your test and you’re getting used to pulling away/ not stalling every time )

It’s also very clunky and when I change gear and take my foot off the clutch pedal sometimes it makes the car jolt forward. The clutch pedal also comes up quite sudden when you take your foot off.

I have no issues putting the car into gear ect. 9/10 is not a nice drive.

It’s a 2020 Fiat 500 MHEV.

Clutch judder can be contamination from oil/fluid of some description, it could be it’s only slight hence once the clutch gets hot it burns off what’s leaked onto it. Would explain why it’s only doing it when cold

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Clutch judder can be contamination from oil/fluid of some description, it could be it’s only slight hence once the clutch gets hot it burns off what’s leaked onto it. Would explain why it’s only doing it when cold

Certainly sounds like contamination of the clutch driven plate, most likely due to leaking first motion shaft seal from gearbox. However there's just a possibility it may be something to do with clutch hydraulics - Slave cylinder? - so I'd check that out first as it requires very little/no dismantling. Does it have a Dual mass flywheel? If so might be failed springs in that? Most likely though to be contamination which will need the gearbox pulled so the clutch can be properly examined.

 

[jackwhoo]

Hi,

Has the car been serviced on schedule?
If it is prone to stalling easily then possible an engine issue (possibly ignition) rather than clutch.

J

 

[Lakishajane]

Certainly sounds like contamination of the clutch driven plate, most likely due to leaking first motion shaft seal from gearbox. However there's just a possibility it may be something to do with clutch hydraulics - Slave cylinder? - so I'd check that out first as it requires very little/no dismantling. Does it have a Dual mass flywheel? If so might be failed springs in that? Most likely though to be contamination which will need the gearbox pulled so the clutch can be properly examined.

I have no idea if it has a dual mass flywheel. The car is covered under warranty and I’ve checked with them if the slave and master cylinder is covered and they have confirmed.

My car is booked in with the main dealer next Friday to inspect what the issue is.

 

[Lakishajane]

Hi,

Has the car been serviced on schedule?
If it is prone to stalling easily then possible an engine issue (possibly ignition) rather than clutch.

J

Pretty much has had its yearly service. Next service is booked in mid May

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I have no idea if it has a dual mass flywheel. The car is covered under warranty and I’ve checked with them if the slave and master cylinder is covered and they have confirmed.

My car is booked in with the main dealer next Friday to inspect what the issue is.

That's undoubtedly your best course of action. If someone else starts "fiddling" with it you may find your warranty invalidated. It's what warranty is for.

 

[Lakishajane]

That's undoubtedly your best course of action. If someone else starts "fiddling" with it you may find your warranty invalidated. It's what warranty is for.

Fingers crossed whatever it is, is covered!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Fingers crossed whatever it is, is covered!

Generally speaking the original manufacturer warranties are very good and cover most things on the vehicle. I was surprised, for instance, to find my Scala's battery is covered for 3 years from date of purchase! I'd not have been surprised to find it listed as a "consumable".

After market warranties? Although looking good when given a "quick look" are often quite limited in what they cover. You need to read them very carefully.

 

[koalar]

Not my car, be better if someone with more knowledge specific, could chime in

If it was a DIY repair, we would have to start to narrow it down, via diagnostics, engine/gearbox mount, hybrid system, engine running issue,gearbox, clutch, drive shafts and so on

A few observations

Hi, can anyone suggest or shed some light on what might be the issue with my clutch.

Or whatever it is, might not be clutch or just clutch

When I go to pull away when the car is mainly cold it’s very juddery (just like when you first past your test and you’re getting used to pulling away/ not stalling every time )

Stalling easy, plus judder, worse when cold, sound more engine

It’s also very clunky and when I change gear and take my foot off the clutch pedal sometimes it makes the car jolt forward.

Car jolting forwards, does not sound like clutch to me

The clutch pedal also comes up quite sudden when you take your foot off.

Not sure I understand what you are trying to say

I have no idea if it has a dual mass flywheel.

Solid flywheel

Clutch judder can be contamination from oil/fluid of some description, it could be it’s only slight hence once the clutch gets hot it burns off what’s leaked onto it. Would explain why it’s only doing it when cold

Doesn't fit with the other symptoms, stalling and lurching forward

Hi,

Has the car been serviced on schedule?
If it is prone to stalling easily then possible an engine issue (possibly ignition) rather than clutch.

Agreed

Certainly sounds like contamination of the clutch driven plate, most likely due to leaking first motion shaft seal from gearbox.

Oil from the gearbox does not contaminate the clutch, it all flung off and runs out the bottom

A failed input bearing does cause judder as the shaft wobbles around, but will not cause the car to lurch forwards

Like when you first start to drive sound more like kangarooing than judder, along with jumping forwards

That's undoubtedly your best course of action. If someone else starts "fiddling" with it you may find your warranty invalidated. It's what warranty is for.

Agreed

Fingers crossed whatever it is, is covered!

Fingers also crossed

 

[Lakishajane]

Not my car, be better if someone with more knowledge specific, could chime in

If it was a DIY repair, we would have to start to narrow it down, via diagnostics, engine/gearbox mount, hybrid system, engine running issue,gearbox, clutch, drive shafts and so on

A few observations

Or whatever it is, might not be clutch or just clutch

Stalling easy, plus judder, worse when cold, sound more engine


Car jolting forwards, does not sound like clutch to me



Not sure I understand what you are trying to say



Solid flywheel



Doesn't fit with the other symptoms, stalling and lurching forward


Agreed



Oil from the gearbox does not contaminate the clutch, it all flung off and runs out the bottom

A failed input bearing does cause judder as the shaft wobbles around, but will not cause the car to lurch forwards

Like when you first start to drive sound more like kangarooing than judder, along with jumping forwards



Agreed



Fingers also crossed

I’ve probably not explained it very well. It’s just not a smooth pull off from 1st gear. My car judders a lot. Mainly when cold. Barely ever when it’s warm. Taking my foot off the clutch between gear changes makes the car jolt forward as if I’ve lifted my foot too quickly (again no idea if I’m making any sense) I know the basics to cars but not all these technical parts.

I’ve had a garage test drive my car. Nothing has been inspected or taken apart and they explained that once it gets to the bite point it’s all or nothing as if the clutch isn’t right. They didn’t inspect or take anything apart as they didn’t want to void the warranty.

My partner and dad have also driven the car and had the same opinion that the clutch isn’t great

 

[koalar]

How long have you had the car

The 500 MHEV has a higher bit point than normal cars

It takes awhile to readjust

It will feel funny if you jump from another car where the bit point is midway

Taking my foot off the clutch between gear changes makes the car jolt forward

Sounds like pressing the accelerator before the clutch pedal is fully released

garage test drive my car. Nothing has been inspected or taken apart and they explained that once it gets to the bite point it’s all or nothing

If this is correct, and it's not because they aren't use to the unusual setup, then it needs a clutch

 

[Lakishajane]

How long have you had the car

The 500 MHEV has a higher bit point than normal cars

It takes awhile to readjust

It will feel funny if you jump from another car where the bit point is midway


Sounds like pressing the accelerator before the clutch pedal is fully released



If this is correct, and it's not because they aren't use to the unusual setup, then it needs a clutch

I’ve had the car since July 2024 so it’s not something new to me. I don’t have this issue driving anyone else’s car so I can’t be me. Well I hope not

 

[koalar]

I’ve had the car since July 2024 so it’s not something new to me. I don’t have this issue driving anyone else’s car so I can’t be me. Well I hope not

Since last summer

Have you always had this problem

 

[Lakishajane]

Since last summer

Have you always had this problem

Yeah it’s always been an issue. At first I didn’t think much of it because I thought l just had to get used to the clutch. I don’t have any issue with this in someone else’s car.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Yeah it’s always been an issue. At first I didn’t think much of it because I thought l just had to get used to the clutch. I don’t have any issue with this in someone else’s car.

Please do let us all know what the outcome of the visit to the dealer is, won't you? - good luck.

 

[rmjbn1]

I had a 500 MHEV for a week and found setting off from a standstill needed a bootfull of revs to avoid bogging down, compared to what I'm used to.

Clutch and gear changes seemed fine once on the move.

The clutch pedal also comes up quite sudden when you take your foot off.

Taking my foot off the clutch between gear changes makes the car jolt forward

I'm a bit confused by this.

You shouldn't be just taking your foot off the pedal, especially not in the middle of a gear change. Unless I've misunderstood.

I don't want to patronise the OP, but correct use of the clutch pedal would be firmly to the floor until the next gear is selected, then bringing the pedal back up gently, using the throttle to give desired engine rpm.

Maybe your previous car was a bit more 'forgiving'?

 

[koalar]

Yeah it’s always been an issue. At first I didn’t think much of it because I thought l just had to get used to the clutch. I don’t have any issue with this in someone else’s car.

Right this issue been here since summer last year

Lets try and break it down a little

Where is safe to do so

Start the car and let it idle

WIth the clutch down and handbrake on, select 5 and very slowly raise the clutch pedal, at what point do the engine revs start to drop as soon as they do depression the clutch and switch the engine off

100% clutch fully down
0% clutch fully up

I suspect it's going to be high maybe 20%

 

[koalar]

Taking my foot off the clutch between gear changes makes the car jolt forward

@rmjbn1 "I'm a bit confused by this."

I suspect the clutch is slipping while the foot is resting on pedal

Remove the foot and it stops slipping

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

@rmjbn1 "I'm a bit confused by this."

I suspect the clutch is slipping while the foot is resting on pedal

Remove the foot and it stops slipping

Hmm. I hadn't thought of that. "Old Mr Scott" the venerable driving instructor - who taught me and my 3 siblings to drive back in the 60s - taught us that your foot should only be on the clutch pedal when actually changing gear. At all other times it belongs on the floor and he would give you a smart slap on the thigh if you were caught "riding" the pedal. It's stuck with me all my life. On reflection, I wonder if he did it to my sister (He'd probably be arrested for it now a days?).