CLUTCHING AT STRAWS

 CM is a valuable source of tips to simplify car maintenance, as is the website honestjohn.co.uk. Recently, a subscriber to that website suspected his clutch was about done for and asked if there was a way of testing it. The solution offered was to apply the handbrake, put the car into third gear and try to set off. Assuming the handbrake was strong enough, there were two possible options. Either the engine would stall (clutch good) or it would slip.

This struck me as being a very drastic test that could finish off a weak clutch. There are much simpler alternatives. The easiest way is simply to apply full throttle in top gear at an engine speed giving maximum torque. If the clutch does not slip, it must be in reasonable condition, at least not on the verge of failure.

A variation on this is to momentarily depress the clutch pedal while doing the above test. Full declutching is not needed; just enough to cause slippage and the engine speed to increase.

Once this happens, immediately release it – the whole operation should take about a quarter of a second. A good clutch will immediately stop slipping and bring engine revs back to the correct level. If the engine takes time to return to the correct speed, the clutch is nearing the end of its life while if it does not stop slipping, it is at the end of its useful life.

This simple test gives warning that a clutch is wearing out long before it does, so giving the owner time to plan what to do.

Mike Offiler