clutch and dmf replacement

[Marco86]

Hi all i am marco i am new to the group. I have just bought an audi a4 carbriolet on an 03 plate it is the 2.4 v6 version with the bdv engine code and the clutch has gone after owning it for 3 days. So here is my problem if anyone can help or offer assistance. How easy or hard is it to remove and replace a clutch and dual flymass wheel if i was to attempt it myself and how time consuming is it? i have been quoted £550 for the parts and labour is an extra £250 if i was to have someone fit it for me but i am a bit hard up at the moment so would like to try and do it myself. Any help would be very much appreciated thanks

[Magnet]

Hello Marco,

Very sorry to hear of your problems.  When you say the clutch has gone, what symptoms do you have? Did you buy the car privately or from a garage? Mileage as a matter of interest?

Kind regards,

Gareth.

 

[Brad-B5]

Hi Marco

Like what Magnet has said also how much of a handy man are you?  it's a time consuming thing really, but! it's not impossible, nothing is! we have some amazing people on here that could give you the best help and advice possible with doing it :)

Regards

Bradley

[Marco86]

Hiya it has got 132,000 on the clock and i bought the car privately for £1750 cash. The car sounds awful on tick over and when driving it back home. I was really struggling to select gears whilst the car was running but am able to select them all easier without the engine running and there is also that strong burning smell you get when the clutch is going or has gone. I have been told that they do a solid flywheel conversion but cant find anywhere that do them unless they dont do them for my model. 

[rbdazza]

i wouldnt go for a solid flywheel, the negatives out weigh the small saving. it will be no harder than any other similar sized car. have you got the space, tools, stands, jacks, etc. as well as a mate to help you out?

if so then go for it.

Personally i'd pay someone else to do it and i do a lot of my own repairs/maintenance. if i had access to a set of ramps i'd do it myself.

[Magnet]

Hello Marco,

OK, so you bought this privately and you don't even get home without the car sounding rough and the clutch is shown to be faulty within 3 days. If it was purchased from a trader then it would simply be a matter of returning it for discussion. Having bought it privately, I believe it still has to satisfy the description of the advert, so I it could well be worth checking how it was described and if there as any reasonable cause from that description that led you to believe the car was fit for purpose then it could well be worth contacting the Cit. Ad. and get their opinion. 

You will often see adverts which simply states " Goes and stops" and perhaps "no warning lights" but little else. The absence of any indication of its condition is seen as sensible by the seller. Another point to investigate - and I guess you knew the answer before you bought it - how long did the person you bought it off, own it? Indeed was it registered in his name? All checks worth investigating before you feel you are left holding the baby on this.

Good luck,

Gareth.

 

[rbdazza]

bought private, good luck with any come back on that. you could try small claims but yeah......

[Magnet]

Appreciating your point Darren, but I think it would be good to at least encourage Marco to follow all avenues of redress, and if it fails - well at least - good try. Any sale hinges on description vs. actual condition. Without some positives, I feel Marco is going to be left with a car he cannot use, and one where the economics work that it's not worth getting someone to repair it.

Anyone in his area who might help out? - wherever in "England" he is!

Where are you Marco? 

I wish him good luck.

Kind regards,

Gareth.

[rbdazza]

fair enough, you can be the voice of hope, i can be the voice of reason. every forum needs a contrast.

 

as i said, good luck. did you not notice any of this when you test drove it? 

[Marco86]

Hiya thanks for all your replies i have decided to bite the bullet and pay £700 to have a new clutch fitted with 2yrs parts and labour warrenty on it. I like the car too much to just consider it a write off. When i test drove the everything seemed to drive and do everything it was supposed to do. I guess i have just been a bit unlucky with the clutch going not long after owning the car. The car is being picked up this morning and taken to a clutch specialist in wigan and should be returned later this evening. I will keep you updated on the outcome and costs. 

[Trevor]

I think they call it 'expensive school fees' .... sometimes it's the only way, to bite the bullet and pay out to get it sorted and to learn from it (if there is anything to be learnt).

At least also, you can drive it in the knowledge that it's all up together for a few years to come.

 

[Marco86]

Ok here is an update not having the car done at the garage i sent it to something just isnt adding up with them first off i was told i could pay by card now its only payment by bank transfer or cash and the original quote that was agreed was no more than £700 and this has now changed to just under £800 for the complete job. All these changes have happend since yesterday morning when price and payment method was agreed and they had collected the car. None of the work has be undertaken yet so i now have to travel 30miles from rossendale to wigan to pick my car up because they dont want to bring it back if they cant have the work and i now need to find a new garage to carry out the work who are going to be more reputable and honest.

To be continued...

[Magnet]

Hello Marco,

Absolutely what you don't want. If it were mine, I would want to get this to a trusted independent.

Anyone able to advise Marco of one in his area?

Spend once and wisely in terms of both parts and labour. Parts - I would go for LUK if not using genuine VAG. Any other aftermarket make- ?? 

I really hope you can get out of this with the minimum of extra hassle.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Trevor]

Good idea Gareth.....can anyone suggest a reputable garage near where Marco lives (wherever that is?)

[wwwrogers]

Have you done this yet my flywheel went after a day of owning idled awful noisy vibration I did it myself on ramps on floor found it relatively easy had to buy a splined socket , opted for a solid conversion cost 200 for flywheel and clutch kit put it in and all is good no noise vibration gone drives well  . 

[Tim Adamson]

  Hi wwwrongers, was your car the 2.4 V6? Where did you get the kit, can't find one anywhere- bought the car knowing the flywheel was toast, so can't blame the seller...!! Thought it'd be easy to find...???!!! Cheers Tim.