replacing clutch on tdi

[glynnd]

Has anybody had their clutch replaced recently on their tdi? if so how much did it cost and did the dual mass fly wheel need replacing?
Thanks

[iben]

Just had my 6-Speed gearbox rebuilt on my 2002 130TDI. The dealer I brought it from honoured his warranty but whilst the gearbox was off I paid top have a the clutch replaced to save on labour costs at a later date. He charged me for the clutch only, and although I haven't recieved the bill yet, he quoted me approximately £200.00 + VAT.
Its an expensive item as its a heavy duty sort, same as on the 4 Motion I believe. If your TDI is a 6 Speed then these are the figures I was looking at when I investigated the Gearbox and Clutch costs.
VW quoted £340.00 + VAT for removing and re-fitting the gearbox and a clutch from them is £233.00 + VAT so it would seem logical to assume that a new clutch would cost somewhere around £570.00 + VAT from VW. I don't know what an independant garage would charge but I would imagine that you would still be looking at around the £400+ mark.
I havent got a clue about flywheels etc as all I know about clutches is that you use them to change gear but it would seem like to good idea to replace everything you can as the labour cost for removing the gearbox etc is relatively expensive and not something you want to do again in a hurry. If you are able to do it yourself (I'm not) then the gearbox is heavy, the Mechanic who did my gearbox has a gearbox jack and a ramp.
Hope this helps.

[Paul C]

Unless the flywheel is serverely scored or damaged it should not require replacing. The pressure and friction plates should both be replaced ( normally sold as a full clutch set) as only fitting a new friction plate is a false economy resulting in the early demise of the clutch.

[richardbrooks]

I have a V plate passat diesel 1.9tdi estate 115.
It has about 75000 miles on clock of mixed motorway and town driving.
No towing or loads of hills, we live in Cambridge.
The clutch has appeared to give up and local VW garage is quoting £500-£600 to replace.
I also have saloon 1.9tdi 90bhp R plate with 110k on clock with original clutch.
Is there a normal expected life for clutch?
Any suggestions of local to Cambridge alternatives to VAG?
Would you consider non VAG repair?

[iben]

Hi Richard

The price from VW seems about the same as the VW Dealer who quoted me. If I remember correctly its about a 4 hour job to remove and replace the gearbox plus the time for fitting the clutch.
As mentioned, my clutch was replaced by the dealer I brought the car off when the removed the gearbox for repair under the warranty, they charged just for the clutch even then it still cost over £200 notes, my Passat is 4 years old with 112,000 miles on the clock and any VW Warranty has long expired so I use a non VW garages to service and repair the car whenever I can and would recommend anyone else does the same.
I dont know any Garages in Cambs, I live in Northants, but I would use the internet, friends and work collegues to get recommendations. I would also get a price from a 'specialist clutch centre'.
As for how long a clutch lasts I havent any idea but it would depend on the usage, city car clutches tend to do less miles than the repmobile on the motorway all day long, it also depends on the driving style, I was taught by my father 25 years ago not to ride the clutch and not to hold the car on the clutch at traffic lights when on an incline, but I have driven with many who do ride the clutch.
I wish I could be off more help

Regards

Ian

[richardbrooks]

Thanks Ian
Vindis have called me today and stated that both the clutch and the gearbox need replacing and have quoted £2300 ( incl VAT)
I'm surprised that gearbox and clutch have gone on this car which has been driven almost exclusively by by wife from new, and mainly mixed town and motorway.
However it gets worse as they say if I proceed with the repair they would at best only offer £2k on a trade in against a new one at £20k.
They say that £2k is the GlassGuide price.
Seems low to me for a one owner from new, 70000 mile 1.9tdi 115bhp SE.

Looks like I may have to grit my teeth and run this one once repaired into the ground.

Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.
Richard

[iben]

Sorry to hear the bad news, thats about what VW quoted me for the same repair and I swear my heart missed a beat when they told me. The only other way to fix the problem is to have an independant garage remove the gearbox and have it sent off to a gearbox repairer for a rebuild. My 6 speed gearbox from my 130TDI Sport was removed and rebuilt by a gearbox specialist and touch wood its been fine, mine had covered about 102,000 miles. I was lucky as the Dealer I brought it from covered it under his warranty (which was very good of him, I'd recommend him to anyone for a second hand motor) but he did say that the cost of the repair was just over £600 + VAT, which is about a third of the cost of a new gearbox.
You could end up saving a fortune and it shouldnt be too difficult to find a gearbox specialist with experiance of with VW gearboxes, they are just in VW's, Audi's, Skoda's and I believe Seat's.
Good luck with whatever avenue to take.

Regards

Ian