The other day my brand new Toyota Corolla 2007, started to smell and slowly loose power while driving in bumper to bumper traffic for thirty minutes, I was in the left lane on a three lane highway and had to get to the right curb in order to stop, all that I had left was a very weak 1st gear to get there, which is when I think I burnt the clutch, but I don't think it was what caused the lack of power in the first place, however I can't seem to convince the mechanics to look further... as all they see is a burnt clutch...
I have been driving standard for ten years and have never burnt a clutch before, this is why I find it hard to beleive that I did this to my not even a year old car. However who am I to argue...?
Could it be that the clutch was defective as it gave off a weak smell from time to time even in the beginning, even when someone else was driving...Could it be some other underlying problem...
2007-11-07 23:21:44 · 8 answers · asked by sirrocco23 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There might be some reason to get a friend to watch your clutch habits. However there may have been a weak pressure plate from the beging or after the first time it was overheated. The traffic stop and go is key here if you are not fully releasing the clutch and allow it to slip for any reason the clutch can get very hot. Unlike brakes clutch is inside a bellhousing where there is very little air to cool. Make sure the flywheel is also replaced. Only machine the flywheel it it can be done properly by grinding. Along with clutch disk pressure plate and throw out bearing and if there is any sign of oil seepage replace the flywheel seal too. Arguement can be made that the clutch should not fail during the first year and ask Toyota to replace it under warranty.
2007-11-07 23:42:46 · answer #1 · answered by John Paul 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the service manager and point out your experience with manual transmissions and you've never burned out a clutch before. Point out that it has always had this smell since the day you got it. Further tell him that you will not accept a diagnosis that shifts liability onto yourself and away from the warranty. And state, finally, that the warranty covers this malfunction.
Improper use of the clutch by the driver is only one thing that can lead to a burnt clutch: misadjustment, warped components, fluid leak into the bell-housing and defective parts are others. The point is that assuming misuse and ignoring other possible factors is poor diagnosis.
If he wants to argue, end the conversation and contact the dealership's General Manager. Tell him the same thing.
Check your state's Lemon Laws while you're at it. Not all states have it, but in general a new car returned a certain amount of times for warranty work in a year is considered a lemon and the consumer is owed the full purchase price minus a reasonable pro rata amount. This is so if/when the problem happens again you know what your rights are.
2007-11-07 23:41:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bad Material Compound, Weak Slave Cylinder and Clutch not fully Disengaging! Weak, Bent or Cracked Shift Fork? Defective Pressure Plate? Loose Fittings Allowing System to Leak under Pressure? Would Also explain the Smell From the Start! Loose or Defective Clutch Peddle?
NOTE; With a Car/Clutch that New they need to look at ALL Possibilities! "Before they say that you're at Fault!"
2007-11-07 23:56:37 · answer #3 · answered by sidecar0 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to disagree with the weak slave cylinder explanation. If the toyota has a non self adjusting clutch, I think the explanation would have to be a poorly adjusted clutch that puts throw out bearing in contact with the pressure plate and is not allowing the pressure plate to fully clamp the plate against the flywheel. A weak slave or master cylinder will only make it difficult to change gears and should not burn the clutch. I do have to agree with the faulty pressure plate theory as an alternate explanation.
2007-11-08 02:14:31 · answer #4 · answered by wuffo_97 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a faulty clutch fluid cylinder or slave cylinder. If they are defective, then the clutch would not have disengaged all the way each time, burning the clutch. Stop and go traffic would make it worse.
2007-11-07 23:26:07 · answer #5 · answered by Jody D 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
how many miles are on it? I seriously doubt your driving burnt the clutch. there are many things that could have caused the clutch to burn out prematurely. including a week pressure plate. This should be covered under the warrenty. Don't let them bully you make them fix it right and under warrenty
2007-11-08 01:08:40 · answer #6 · answered by hunting4junk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jody has a good answer.
once they go to replace the clutch they will notice if there is fluid, indicating the slave cylinder.
2007-11-07 23:37:39 · answer #7 · answered by R S S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
nope..sorry its probably faulty driving
2007-11-07 23:29:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋