Web
Analytics Made Easy - Statcounter
Clutch problems when warm - Gearchange/Gearbox/Clutch - The Lotus Forums - Official Lotus Community Partner Jump to content


IGNORED

Clutch problems when warm


Recommended Posts

I had a new clutch fitted by Lotus maybe 1000 miles ago if that. Car gets used very little. When cold there is no problem with any gear. Car has always shuddered a little both before and after new clutch when pulling away. 

 

But I'm finding gear change more and more difficult when the engine is warm. Lots of crunching with most changes and near impossible to get revers or first. 

 

Any thoughts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Upgrade today to remove Google ads and support TLF.
  • Gold FFM

Has it had new clutch fluid ? I'm sure if lotus did it it would have.

You need to check - with and assistant that the fork moves fully when engaging the clutch. Check it's adjusted correctly. I'm sure it will be again if lotus did the clutch.

Then of course there is the much talked about red hose, the line between clutch master and slave cylinders. Swap that for a metal kunifer or braided one - that solved my problem that was the same as you describe.

Only here once

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator

Does sound like the red hose is expanding with heat, resulting in less clutch travel and crunching. A braided hose solved the problem with mine. A new red hose probably would work as well, but why not upgrade if you have the chance?

 

Filip

I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Kevin

Providing you have the earlier single plate clutch, then as others have said it's probably the red hose.

We need to know what year your car is?

The later V8's have a twin plate clutch & don't have the red clutch hose, they have a rigid steel clutch pipe so it might be another problem altogether

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator

I think the red hose issue is pretty much a myth. People always blame the red hose but its usually the linkages.

 

Buddsy

 

I started by refurbishing the linkages both front and rear, but still had problems when things heated up. Then I fitted a braided hose and the clutch was perfect. I was careful not to spill too much brake fluid and only needed to add a little bit, so unlikely to be due to old fluid either.

I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Gold FFM

^ I agree buddsy it defies logic and have mixed thoughts

Sure made a difference on mine - but it could so well equally have been old fluid. Works a treat now - so next item on the to do list being attacked!!

  • Like 1

Only here once

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator

I agree it's strange that the hose with its limited volume can have such an effect. But heat does seem to be the only factor to explain the problem a lot of people are having, and the solution the braided hose offers. Maybe with age the red hose weakens enough to expand when temperature rises even a little? And a small increase in (internal) diameter would mean a relative large increase in volume.

I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm a red hose believer. :harhar:  Too many of us have had an issue, fitted a braided hose instead and the issue is magically no longer there, for it to be entirely myth or coincidence.  Obviously this will have involved some new fluid but not necessarily a complete change.  As a new hose will always mean at least some new fluid, hose replacement will never in itself prove anything so we need people with problems to only replace their fluid for a while, just to see...volunteers????

  • Like 1

Loving Lionel and Eleanor......missing Charlie and Sonny

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1000 miles ago on some Esprits could have been years...  Clutch fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture, which then gets hot and expands into a vapor, just like boiling the brake fluid.  That will make the clutch not work very well when hot.  The Evora had a similar problem requiring a heat shield on the clutch pipe.

 

Replace the clutch fluid and thoroughly bleed all the air out of the system.

Travis

Vulcan Grey 89SE

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Gold FFM

1000 miles ago on some Esprits could have been years....

Or about 2 months for mine........ Must be the novelty factor

The v8 has exhausts both sides - so that clutch hose will be somewhere close to a bloody hot pipe !

Only here once

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK Kevin, that rules out any clutch hose issues. Your car has the later twin plate clutch with the steel hoses.

Take the car back, I'm guessing the problem is either (as Ian suggested) the flywheel hasn't been machined or machined properly, or the other problem could be that the plate between the friction discs could be catching/jamming on the clutch basket

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it was Gerald of GST who said:

 

"It's the clutch pack not sliding on cage followed by the female splines having sharp straight cut edges dragging on the input shaft.
You have to dismantle the clutch pack and make sure the plates slides in the cage. Then you use a needle file to shamfer the female edge of spline. This stops the clutch dragging on the input shaft."

 

Basically it's always dragging but when cold the viscosity of the oil is enough to stop the cogs and make the gear changes normal. Once the oil warms up the drag overcomes the viscosity. I've had this and it seems to be fairly well known.

What seems to help is a little rev matching on downshifts - any excuse to blip the throttle :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kevin,

Did the garage replace only the plates, or the whole clutch assembly including the cage? I had exactly the same issues as you describe. I had to turn the car off to get any gear in the end! Gets a bit embarrassing trying to crunch your way into gear at traffic lights. I found myself having to change down in plenty of time before I came to a stop, then sit there on the clutch until the lights changed!

I'd had this problem for a while before I skimmed the flywheel and fitted new clutch plates. This didn't make much difference so went for a whole clutch assembly from Helix. Never had a problem since. I think the whole thing got too hot at some point and then deformed the cage slightly so that the plates wouldn't run true. Looking at old receipts, the previous owner had the gearbox out several times whilst his garage tried to solve it.

Speak to your garage first to see what they replaced, then bite the bullet and buy the whole assembly if they didn't change it.

Steve.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking " I Accept ", you consent to our use of cookies. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.