Clutch Judder - comes and goes

[Sqwim]

I've a 2.0 TDI A4 Avant (2008 B7, BRE engine).

When I bought it two years ago I noticed a horrendous clutch judder whilst in 1st gear accelerating swiftly from a start up a steepish hill. It being a new (to me) car at the time and under warranty I thought I'd get it back to Audi but it was never able to replicate the issue so crossed my fingers and forgot about it.

Then, about three months ago, I had a good few mornings where it exhibited fairly mild clutch judder when pulling of from a standstill in 1st gear. I put it down to the cold conditions we had at the time as it didn't last long enough to cause too much concern, seemed to disappear when warmed up.

Last night, warm conditions, car having been in a warm underground car park all day, I again got horrendous clutch judder when pulling off from a standstill in 1st gear. It did it a good few times but did seem to have gone by the time I got home 8 miles later. It did it ever so slightly this morning when first started.

Might this be something to conern me considering the warranty runs out next week?! It can't be down to environmental conditions. I haven't changed my driving style, seat position, idle speed etc. It seems to be a problem that comes and goes. Why? How?!

Any advise very welcome. I'd hate for something to go pop in the next few months and cost me a new clutch/DMF!

Many thanks
Sqwim

[nevo]

Get it back to the garage while you've got some warranty left the clutch and flywheel are on the way out.

[GH20TDI]

I wouldn't be too quick to assume it is a major issue. Mine is a 2005 2.0 TDI and has had clutch judder on and off (never for very long) throughout its life - if you have warranty you might want to get it looked at, but I think sometimes a clutch just gets a bit roughed up and judders.

I've had it on other cars and not had clutch failure / worn out. I don't know the exact cause.

[Adman]

Have a read of this thread.

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=103983

I had 'the judder' and changed my driving style. Worked for me.

Ad

[nevo]

I stand by what I've said,some slight judder is acceptible its doing its job but if its excessive or getting worse get it back in what have you got to lose, keep all documentation even if it fails later you can say you've had it back within warranty so they may make a goodwill gesture.

[bambamjj]

Hi all

I dont suffer this in my Audi but have suffered it in several cars, at the moment my wifes Astra suffers this first thing after being stood for a while or after long run but being left in damp conditions.

I believe and it does seem to make sense (in my case) with certain conditions it is the clutch plates being damp from condensation, depending upon humidity, external weather conditions etc, this can also happen in the summer months as you get the summer dew etc.

Just a wild insane thought , but i did have lots of training on air and moisture when i used to design compressed air units, but in our case we can predict when it is going to happen and like it has been said just adjust driving style, never caused me any issue.

I have seen exactly the same thing from contaminated clutch plates, but this is from Landrovers with leaky drive shafts, they used to weep but after a few miles you could burn it off.

[Sqwim]

Thanks for the replies.

The problem I have with reporting it to Audi is that, whenever I have done so for similarly intermittent issues (slight hesitation occasionally at c. 1,800rpm, occasional vibration from centre console) they have said that they were unable to replicate it on a test run and that seems to be the end of it. I suspect something similar would happen with this too as I have no way of replicating it reliably (it hasn't occurred since Weds/Thurs, before that it was 3 months ago and before that 2 years ago!).

Is there anything they could/should do to check for potential issues with the clutch/DMF rather than just test drive it and say 'no problem'?

Thanks
Sqwim

ps. it was horrendous once two years ago and fairly bad in Wednesday (last a second or so and was enough to make something at the back of the car vibrate like hell (I assume the boot cover (in an Avant)). Other than that it has not been too bad. Only around 3 months ago in the cold weather did ti seems to last for a prolonged time (over a day or so).

[heirflick]

Hi, im new to the forum and 2 weeks ago purchased an A4 AVANT TDI 2.0 S LINE 55 reg, absolutely love it but have noticed a few times now a really bad clutch judder when pulling away in 1st gear. Seems to be mainly from cold. Fine after driving for a few miles.
I contacted the warranty company today who wont pay diagnostic charges to audi so im gonna be 138quid out of pocket if i get that done. I have read a few posts on here of people suffering the same problem. Would anything show up on a diagnosis for that kind of problem?
I also broke the glove box last week, husband not impressed as main dealer want 189 quid to put a new one on! I have seen several posts on how to fix this but im not to good at welding!
If anyone has had this clutch probem resolved within warranty please let me know.

[John140]

My 07 Plate TDi 140 had clutch judder from new.
Initially it was on cold damp mornings and then after a lot of town driving.
Over the years it has now dissappeared altogether now at 53K all fine..

Bizaarely though it seems to judder slightly after a service, I cant see how this can be ?

[simfra1uk]

Heirflick,
I find myself in the same situation, having recently purchased a 57 plate avant 170 tdi I too am experiencing the clutch judder on pulling away when cold, did you ever get a resolution. I have read on other forums that it may be a software update issue, does anyone know if this might be the case ?