Clutch life expectancy - automatic van 1.6HDi

[Mr Magic]

Hello Everyone!

I got 2015 1.6HDi van with automatized gearbox. 63K miles on the clock

What is the expected lifespan of a clutch on such gearbox, just roughly saying?
I have had it for 3 years and did 25K on it. (70:30 motorway) myself.

Also, what cost shall I expect to take as a reasonable (Edinburgh area here)?

I'm thinking that it may be better to replace it before it fails and  not interrupts my work unexpectedly.

Thanks to all to share theirs thoughts.

Maciek

[Sol]

Hi there, I'm in the same area (Edinburgh) and my 2012 manual gearbox van had the clutch go last year. I got quoted £1400 from everyone I asked and these were garages I trust. Yours will be more due to the pilot system needing presumably removed and then reset after the clutch replacement.

Mine lasted till 60k then shat itself.

Ended up getting a Mr clutch guy who did it for £400 but the work was shoddy and eventually the gearbox started groaning, he hadn't filled up the oil properly - also had damaged the arch when pulling the gearbox out and the paint all chipped off, leading to corrosion.

Now, the moral is, I needed the van so cheap was ok. My new Van, no chance. If the clutch goes on this one, it's off to my trusted garage for a £1400 wallet lightening surgery.

Clutches should in theory I expect, last 75k to 100k and maybe longer. In my last van the thrust bearing had gone and the guide tube was distorted so the noise was horrific and using the clutch was torture.

The plate and cover were fine. But, I didn't reuse them since the same work is involved in the bearing as the whole clutch...

[oilyrag]

My opinion is that it isn't probably worth changing the clutch on a precautionary basis - if it's working OK then don't fix it!  It could last for some years and by then you will be living by candlelight and eating weeds! You can always hire a van for a couple of days if it fails unexpectedly.

[Sol]

My opinion is that it isn't probably worth changing the clutch on a precautionary basis - if it's working OK then don't fix it!  It could last for some years and by then you will be living by candlelight and eating weeds! You can always hire a van for a couple of days if it fails unexpectedly.

Absolutely. I'd never change a clutch as a precaution, only if it fails and even then you get a bit of warning like slippage, noise etc before it goes completely.

[Mr Magic]

My opinion is that it isn't probably worth changing the clutch on a precautionary basis - if it's working OK then don't fix it!  It could last for some years and by then you will be living by candlelight and eating weeds! You can always hire a van for a couple of days if it fails unexpectedly.

Absolutely. I'd never change a clutch as a precaution, only if it fails and even then you get a bit of warning like slippage, noise etc before it goes completely.

Thanks guys for your replies, I appreciate it!

My argument for replacing it as precameasure is that you are nor caught off guard when it fails and don't need to tow the van, quickly look for a garage who can do it, etc...
I never had automated gearbox so not sure how this will start and quickly lead to the van being immobile.

Doing it in advance I can prepare for it on many levels and not to live in stress that one day it will fail me...
It's like battery,  5-6 years is gone I replace it so never worry about car not want to start.
I don't know, this is how I go about sone things. ?

£1400 for replacement of ordinary clutch, this sounds like a rip off to me..

[Sol]

Call around and get some quotes for the clutch to be supplied and fitted, and let us know how you get on. 

There are a lot of labour hours in this job.

Like I said, I eventually got it done for £400 but I'd never go back to a Mr Clutch repair shop. They caused more damage than they fixed.

[oilyrag]

As Zion says, there's usually some warning - at maximum torque for your engine a degree of slip may be felt after changing gear, say from third to fourth up hill, and you can often provoke the slip by flooring the throttle after changing up. If you get any slip/rise in revs then time to book it in!

[Mr Magic]

No problem guys, I will try getting some quotations for the clutch. Hopefully doesn't break the bank!!

[John Bilko]

Oh dear, this is not what I needed to hear.

I just bought a B'ingo with 70K on the clock and driving it around makes me a little, but only a little, concerned about the clutch. In reverse in particular the vehicle is not smooth.

They gave me a 6 month warranty but I only do 1200 miles in a year. I am wondering if I should take it to a Citroen dealer for a health check, should I?

It has one of the reversing sensors missing, a very naff door seal, and a roof bar plastic end gone.

I have had a lot of these awful robot gearboxes and really don't like them but I am not in a position to drive manuals. I actually own an old Panda with one and its box concerns me.

[Sol]

There is a clutch calibration procedure that requires Citroen software (Diagbox) that Independent garages which do PSA vehicles should also have. This is a known issue on the piloted manuals (autos) for judder and snatching when pulling away or engaging gear.

Another possibility is the lower rear engine mount (torque link)