Clutch release bearing - worn?

[notsofast]

Last September I had an independent garage change the air and fuel filters on my K9 as per the service schedule.  When I picked the vehicle up, the guy said that it sounded like my clutch release bearing was worn, noticeable by a whirring noise when pressing the clutch pedal (best heard when in neutral).  He said it shouldn't be showing wear like that after only 25,000 miles, which would make it a defect covered by the warranty.

Subsequently I listened out for the noise, and could hear something, but I could only listen from inside the cabin and the whirring wasn't loud.  Still, I followed it up with my local dealership.  To cut a long story short involving several conversations at the dealers (trying to pin down exactly how they'd investigate) I found out last week that the dealers would need the vehicle for 6 hours in order to take out the gearbox.  This would cost me the best part of £800 - just to confirm if there is a problem.  If they found a defective part, I would be reimbursed and the problem fixed under warranty.  If they decided the problem was just down to wear through use, I wouldn't be reimbursed and the problem would still need fixing, at my own expense.

I'm trying to decide what my best course of action is. The vehicle has currently done 29k miles.  The noise is still there, not necessarily any more noticeable.  If the release bearing is defective, I'd obviously like it fixed while it's still under warranty (expires end of June).  But also I obviously don't want to get stung for £800 just for an assessment. The vehicle has mostly been driven on rural roads and I'm not someone who drives around resting my foot on the clutch pedal.  For comparison, my M49 has done 162k and is still on its original clutch (I told the dealership this, but they just said that not all clutches are the same - obviously they don't want to pre-judge anything until they've had a look).

Any advice/comments?

[cancunia]

It's hard to imagine what would be a 'wear through use' noise at such a low mileage, unless this is a common thing. There have been a few cases on here where people have contacted Citroen UK directly and got a better response, maybe that's a next step?

[notsofast]

Thanks.  I've just sent them an email and asked them a few things, including whether premature bearing wear is a known issue (though whether they'd admit to it is a question itself). I'll probably also get in touch again with the guy who made the diagnosis, see what he says.  If I were to have the clutch replaced at the dealership and have to pay for it myself, they would charge £1,500. Not sure if that's on top of or including the £800 diagnosis charge - either way, not a place I really want to find myself in.

[cancunia]

Might be worth having a quick skim through the following and perhaps a mention of this when contacting Citroen:
https://www.themotorombudsman.org

[notsofast]

Thanks for that link - it's useful to know that there is an independent body that can investigate disputes.

I spoke to the guy who made the initial diagnosis - he reckons Citroen would try and wriggle out of being responsible, which I suspect is true. Anyway I've arranged to drop by his garage and he'll show me the whirring noise symptom (it's hard for me at home cos I can't be under the bonnet and have my foot on the pedal at the same time).

Not yet heard back from my email to Citroen Customer Care, though I also asked them whether they could advise about the cam chain issue that's being discussed elsewhere in this section of the forum, so my enquiry might have to be dealt with by someone higher up or in a technical section.

[notsofast]

Citroen Customer Care emailed to say I should contact the dealers about it, which isn't very helpful.  I had asked CCC if there were any known issues with the release bearings, so maybe the fact that they wouldn't say anything could be read a certain way - I mean, they could have just said "no" or "not that we're aware of".

[cancunia]

I'm no expert in these matters so can only give my thoughts, but there are others on here that have used phrases like 'fit for purpose' in communication with Citroen. Maybe someone with more experience in this kind of thing will chip in. Do CCC know that the local dealers are asking for £800 to investigate? You could also try to contact the local Trading Standards office. Maybe an AA or equivalent 3rd party expert opinion would help.

I found the following thread which although related to paint also talks about getting an expert opinion and then threatening legal action.

https://www.berlingoforum.com/thread-21102.html

[notsofast]

Thanks. Yes these methods are all good to know.  I remember that thread about the delaminating paint - and the positive outcome.  At the moment I'm acquiring info so I can weigh up options - should be easier once I've seen the mechanic who made the original diagnosis.

[notsofast]

Update. Took my van in to the guy who made the original diagnosis today, so he could have a proper listen as I sat in the cabin engaging and releasing the clutch pedal (and vice versa).  Upon closer listen he said that he doesn't think it's the bearing, rather it's just the gearbox taking up a little slack, and he said not to worry about it. So that's good news - £800 pounds not spent.

[cancunia]

Good news!

Is it by any chance a Dual Mass Flywheel?