2.0 diesel clutch issues, garage report

[Briodyjl01]

So we have finally heard back from the garage.
Last year (August) the clutch failed on my 2.0 diesel tourer, it was replaced by a local garage, I did have a query that they put the wrong one in, but they assured me it was correct. I saw a 1.8 petrol clutch box on the back seat. Fast forward to February this year and the clutch went again. This time I took it to someone else who fitted a full LUK set up and all has been fine so far. They gave me the one out of the car, so I took it to a speciality clutch place in my area and they said it was a cheap Chinese clutch fitted.
The original garage said they would send it off to get tested. The report came back today to say that it was driver miss use that it failed, and it will be because I slow down by using my gears. That is how I was taught to drive by a very experienced driving instructor. So, a little confused. Were they trying to fob us off? As it’s a diesel hat would put stress on a petrol clutch wouldn’t it to cause signs like that. I was driving an Austin metro for nearly 5 years before I started driving the 75 the exact same way with no issue what so ever.
Some help would be very great fully appreciated. Thank you.

[slovcan]

Originally Posted by Briodyjl01

So we have finally heard back from the garage.
Last year (August) the clutch failed on my 2.0 diesel tourer, it was replaced by a local garage, I did have a query that they put the wrong one in, but they assured me it was correct. I saw a 1.8 petrol clutch box on the back seat. Fast forward to February this year and the clutch went again. This time I took it to someone else who fitted a full LUK set up and all has been fine so far. They gave me the one out of the car, so I took it to a speciality clutch place in my area and they said it was a cheap Chinese clutch fitted.
The original garage said they would send it off to get tested. The report came back today to say that it was driver miss use that it failed, and it will be because I slow down by using my gears. That is how I was taught to drive by a very experienced driving instructor. So, a little confused. Were they trying to fob us off? As it’s a diesel hat would put stress on a petrol clutch wouldn’t it to cause signs like that. I was driving an Austin metro for nearly 5 years before I started driving the 75 the exact same way with no issue what so ever.
Some help would be very great fully appreciated. Thank you.

A diesel will have much stronger engine braking than a gasoline engine. Diesel friction disks and pressure plates are designed to tolerate this. I have in the past used a VW diesel clutch in a modified VW gasoline engine I built for my race car because it was stronger by design.

Millions of people use engine braking. How long did you drive on the previous clutch? I would bet longer than 6 months. Have you ever burned up a clutch in 6 months before? I'm guessing not.

They put the wrong clutch in your car. You have the box as proof. These sorts of places will ALWAYS claim driver abuse to void the warranty on any wear item.

Ask them if that is their final answer considering you have the box showing they installed the wrong clutch. If they won't budge on their position let them know you are going to share your experience and name their garage with all your friends on all your online forums to save them wasting their money, too.

Good luck,
Glenn

[planenut]

Did you not return to the installing garage first?

Good luck.

[Briodyjl01]

Originally Posted by planenut

Did you not return to the installing garage first?

Good luck.

We couldn’t get hold of them and found out they stopped doing car repairs and changed their phone number. I needed the car back on the road so had to take it somewhere else.

[planenut]

Originally Posted by Briodyjl01

We couldn’t get hold of them and found out they stopped doing car repairs and changed their phone number. I needed the car back on the road so had to take it somewhere else.

Okay, so now we know why they ceased trading.

You say that the original garage sent the clutch away for testing so you have been in contact with them since the installation. Speak to Trading Standards.

[MSS]

The first thing to check is whether a 1.8 clutch would actually function in a diesel. I suspect it would not but Brian or Trikey will have the definitive answer.

It may just have been a rubbish clutch that the garage sourced and fitted.

Why not post up a picture of the clutch plates so that the above experts can give their considered opinion?

[Briodyjl01]

Originally Posted by mss

The first thing to check is whether a 1.8 clutch would actually function in a diesel. I suspect it would not but Brian or Trikey will have the definitive answer.

It may just have been a rubbish clutch that the garage sourced and fitted.

Why not post up a picture of the clutch plates so that the above experts can give their considered opinion?

I have the photos but I don’t know how to post them.

[macafee2]

I do not believe for one moment engine breaking is the cause of a clutch failure. You would need to be doing something seriously wrong to ruin a clutch by engine breaking.

macafee2

[slovcan]

Originally Posted by macafee2

I do not believe for one moment engine breaking is the cause of a clutch failure. You would need to be doing something seriously wrong to ruin a clutch by engine breaking.

macafee2

I agree wholeheartedly.

[Number 6]

If as you say they have ceased trading,,What can be achieved by chasing them ??