Replacement clutch / New flywheel?

**JasonC** · 14-05-2007,07:19 PM

My 2004 Passat TDI is currently with my local dealership because of severe clutch judder when pulling away first thing in the morning (the garage are having the car overnight to see the problem first thing in the morning. After the clutch has been engaged several times the problem goes away).

The dealership has told me that if they agree there is a problem when they try it tomorrow morning, they will fit a new clutch under warranty. However, my question is: Should I ask them to change the flywheel at the same time, as recommended several times on this forum?

The dealership has understandably said that the warranty will only cover the cost of the replacement clutch as that is what is most likely to be causing the judder.

Should I pay another couple of hundred pounds and ask that they renew the flywheel at the same time?

Many thanks,

Jason

**shooey88** · 14-05-2007,07:37 PM

the clutch is a wear and tear item...im suprised you manged to get it under warranty...but is this dealer wanrranty rather then manufactures warranty...as they are totally different
one being the dealership has to pay as they sold u a car that isnt up to scratch...selling a one year warranty with a used car
the other being head VW pay because its a manufactured problem from new under the normall 3 year warranty.

so which warranty it is they may be reluctant to do a more expensive fix....

i would suggest try and getting them for a new flywheel either way.

**JasonC** · 14-05-2007,07:44 PM

It's actually the VW used car all component warranty (not a specific dealership warranty as I am not taking it back to the dealer I purchased it from).

I am almost 100% certain VW warranty won't approve the replacement of the flywheel aswell as this is unlikely to be causing the clutch judder problem when cold. However, I thought it would be prudent to pay for a new flywheel as this does cause problems and they will have the clutch off anyway??!!

But it might cost £200 - £300!!!

Any thoughts?

**shooey88** · 14-05-2007,07:49 PM

once they got the gearbox off surley they can check the flywheel for heatspots and play for the need to replace it

i reckon it will be more of a flywheel fault....and they just reluctant to pay that amount. surely once they have the clutch off and can see the flywheel is faulty u have a right for a replacement regardless of cost due to its under warranty.

**JasonC** · 14-05-2007,10:21 PM

Thanks Shooey.

The service mgr from the dealer thinks it is likely to be a clutch problem rather than a flywheel problem because the clutch only judders when cold and not all of the time.

**shooey88** · 14-05-2007,10:27 PM

hes guessing as much as i am.....both with an educated and experienced guess...
but relistically you wont know till you take the gearbox out and inspect if any damage

**JasonC** · 14-05-2007,10:33 PM

In that case, I need to rely on the dealer being honest and telling me if the flywheel needs replacing when he has the clutch out!!??

**Phil Slowe** · 17-07-2007,05:29 PM

My Seat Altea 1.9TDi has exactly the same symptoms - juddering clutch from cold, but disappears when warmed up. Interested to know how your was resolved. My dealer suspects (famous) flywheel problem - but which I asked them to check at last service. They found no problem. But may be clutch.
It is going in for road test / analysis this week. (only 12 months old. Gearbox has already been replaced under warranty. Wonder if they bodged this, and caused another problem?). Will post the results when sorted.

**JasonC** · 17-07-2007,11:24 PM

Hi Phil,

My clutch and flywheel were replaced under warranty and the problem seems to have gone away totally.

However, because they replaced both the clutch and the flywheel, I will never know which was the culprit!!

Let me know how you get on.

Cheers,

**colb666** · 18-07-2007,07:18 AM

My last Passat had the clutch & flywheel replaced under warranty at 54k and just under 3 years old.I was told at the time by the dealer its normal practice to replace both clutch & flywheel at the same time.

My current Passat is heading the same way at 30k and under 2 years old..Dealer was told by VW to change the gearbox oil to fully synthetic(done)still the same sticky goin into gear so next they have been told to replace the gearbox? I still don't think it's the box thats the problem and asked for them to consider changing the clutch? VW say no! gearbox first,then if it's still the same the clutch will be replaced? surely clutch assembly is way cheaper for them to replace than a gearbox?