High-pitched whine from clutch

[Johnny C]

Recently, when I've been at low revs in first and dipped the clutch (traffic lights for e.g.) I've noticed a very high pitched whine which goes away after a few seconds. Clutch isn't slipping, and had the master cylinder replaced a few months ago.

Any idea what is causing it or if it's anything to be concerned about? I presume it's a bearing or something, it doesn't sound distressed - a bit like a brake squeaking, just a couple of bits of metal that aren't lubricated. I had a similar thing on my old GTI, a slip plate or something (I forget) which just stayed there for a few years until I got the clutch replaced

 

[Johnny C]

Not for 30,000 miles. I presume that (like the GTI) that's nothing to worry about in the short-term? It's probably due for a new clutch in the next year (20K) miles

 

[John Maddox]

It may need looking at sooner rather than later as mine made similar noises a few years back and the release bearing had virtually seized by the time the noise started.

Incredibly it felt ok at the pedal right until the last moments !! If it breaks up it can damage the flywheel I understand.

 

[Johnny C]

Cheers, it's going in for a service in a month or so, I'll get it checked out then, they can check the state of the clutch then too. I can feel a big bill coming on!

How many miles does an average clutch last with mostly motorway driving? My old 3.2 had one replacement at 130K miles when I had the engine rebuilt anyway, it had been driven around Central London for the first 70K, and by the time I sold it at 200K the replacement was still fine, and AFAIK still is 3 years on (though the chap may have sold it on by now)

 

[John Maddox]

Depends how sympathetic you are - your 3.2 lasted well - my 993 is on it's third clutch at 166k so averaging 70k per clutch so far. I think that is reasonable for the performance we have on tap.

I must say though I have never had to change the clutch on any of the many daily drivers I have owned over the last 35 years !!

 

[Mark Elder]

I always mention at this point my 30k clutch - it makes people feel happy with their 50/70/130 k clutches
(It was not my driving for the first 27k!)

 

[Guest]

It's probably due for a new clutch in the next year (20K) miles

Hi Johnny, consider having your clutch slave cylinder changed too while you're at it. They can fail around 50-60K. Easy & quick if you're having clutch done & cheap part. Bit of a fiddle to do otherwise.

Roddy

 

[Johnny C]

Well my clutch is at least 50K, so is probably more, I don't remember seeing anything in the service docs I got with it and I've put 50K on (in 3 years - ouch)

The slave cylinder was replaced last service as the pedal was sticking down a bit after 20miles.

However now the release bearing is on it's way out I might get the clutch done anyway, a light flywheel put on and a remap.

I saw on another thread about a chap who does mobile remaps; how much does it cost, and does anyone know how his remap would compare to one done at 9M?