Clutch knock from cold start?

[mrshannon]

This is a bit of detective work but worth a try.

If I leave the car for an hour or so, when I drive away and raise the clutch with first gear engaged I can hear an unsettling thud/knock from under the car. Possibly middle/rear. After that there's nothing and next time I drive away in first its fine?!

I'm also getting clutch slip in third/ fourth at high revs or up hills and I've adjusted e clutch as much as I can.

I'm thinking a new clutch? Any ideas welcome.

[bmcecosse]

The noise - could it be exhaust hitting something? If the clutch has run out of adjustment - it needs renewing . However - if there is still some free-play and it;s slipping - is there oil dripping out of the little 'jiggle pin' in the base of the bellhousing? If so - could be excessive crankcase pressure forcing oil out the rear bearing scroll 'seal'.

[mrshannon]

Grappled with the exhaust and it sounds fine.

The knock only appears at the bite point and only from cold. I'm taking it for inspection by a local clutch man...will report back

[chrisryder]

oil coming from the back of the engine wont's wet the clutch. it would have to pass all the way around and back into the flywheel.

could be an oil leak from the front of the box soaking the clutch, or you could have a poorly adjusted clutch. does it bite right down at the floor, right at the top, or half way up its stroke? If it's right at the top, the clutch could not be fully engaging.

not sure about the knocking noise though.

[bmcecosse]

Believe me - oil from the scroll soon wets the clutch... The noise could I suppose be broken springs in the clutch plate - or even a cracked plate. I did once pull the centre out of a clutch plate - fortunately only 1/4 mile from home...

[mrshannon]

Was a worn clutch in the end. Replaced it and runs fine despite a bit of chatter which I'm told will fade after a few miles.

[bmcecosse]

Hope so!