Tales from the workshop

NISSAN QASHQAI

Loss of drive

Very often when a clutch begins to wear there will be some indication to the driver, they may feel that the rev’s are not quite right after changing gear or when pulling away. With a hydraulic clutch system this is far less apparent than on a cable-operated clutch when the driver may feel that the clutch pedal is suddenly higher than it used to be.

The driver of this 2011 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi had felt no indication of the impending clutch problem until the vehicle just refused to pull out of its parking spot. There was no drive and the gears could readily be selected with the engine running without the use of the clutch.

Pulling the gearbox out I was pleased that this was the 2WD version, but once the gearbox was removed I could see the extent of the damage from the failed clutch.

A new flywheel was needed adding to the cost of the job, but once all back together the owner suddenly declared how more positive the clutch now felt.

MAZDA RX-8

Misfire solution

This 2003 Mazda RX-8 was not the owners daily drive and so the owner was used to it taking a while to start when he did get