Quick Question: How long should my clutch last?

"Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen" (sportwagen)
05/23/2015 at 23:13 • Filed to: None

I’ve had my 2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDI for the past 4 years and it now has 90k miles on it. I learned to drive on it (along with two other people) so it has had some abuse put on it.

Other than that, the car was treated like any other car, with its fair share of hard acceleration but NO hard launches.

DISCUSSION (61)

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:19

100 to 150k won’t be unusual. Maybe longer.. could be shorter :)

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:22

ive had an original clutch in my f150 still going strong when i sold it at 185,000

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
05/23/2015 at 23:22

Okay, I’d just rather not have to fork over $1000 for just a clutch and flywheel anytime soon...

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jet…

SHIT IS EXPENSIVE!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:22

12 miles. Sorry to say your clutch is way past it’s end date. :)

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
05/23/2015 at 23:24

Uh, wow... maybe because it was a heavy duty clutch? IDK.

That’s insane though

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
05/23/2015 at 23:24

:( we bought it with 106 miles on the ODO... oh boy.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:28

I have a couple of friends with similar cars.. I’d say they’ve done 230k or so miles on average without problems. My point was that you can’t really know.. it’s all down to how it’s been treated :)

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
05/23/2015 at 23:29

Makes sense... you gotta remember that I am only 18 though ;)

LongbowMkII > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:30

you shouldnt need to replace the flywheel.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:31

Yeeaah.. 130k would be more realistic then :P I know how I drove at that age :P

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > LongbowMkII
05/23/2015 at 23:32

Where can I find a kit with only a clutch then?

JGrabowMSt > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:33

Myself and 3 sisters learned on the same car, and when my dad sold it, it had the original clutch at 78k, and the car was 22 years old.

Once you hit around 120-150k, it will be time. Most cases, the flywheel can be saved. The killer for that car is that the front subframe has to get dropped to access the trans.

If you had a ‘murican oriented engine (longitudinal), the trans can usually be dropped without much trouble and clutch jobs are usually quick without trouble.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > JGrabowMSt
05/23/2015 at 23:34

Well, my neighbor has a two post (and a four post!) lift that I can use if need be... and to top that he OWNS a transmission shop... actually one of the biggest in the city lol

RallyWrench > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:35

I’ve seen identical cars pass 200k with sympathetic use. The question will be the condition of the dual-mass flywheel, which cannot be machined and are painfully expensive.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:36

I’m afraid your gearbox is properly fucked. Time to burn the car and just start again from new. Try to get a car with anywhere from 0-11 miles on it next time.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > RallyWrench
05/23/2015 at 23:37

Yes, others were telling me that the flywheel won’t need to be replaced... check my response to Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
05/23/2015 at 23:37

No :’(

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:38

I’m sorry, it’s never easy to hear.

LongbowMkII > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:40

advance auto has a couple for the 2.5 $400-500 is yours the turbo 2.0?

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:41

Could be worse. I just spent $1250 for just a clutch and slave cylinder on my 2007 Hyundai. Thank god the flywheel didn’t need to be replaced, because that would’ve been another $1000.

It made it 110,000 miles. Generally I’m easy on it, but it has seen a few hard launches and stalls over the years. The clutch actually had about 5-10% left on it, but the slave cylinder blew out and puked brake fluid all over everything and left the pedal on the floor as I was going to downshift to exit a freeway. In my car the slave is inside the bell housing so replacing the clutch just made sense. I’d say 100,000 to 150,000 for most vehicles can be expected if you drive like a sane person. My mother lives in Pittsburgh which has tons of hills and drives like a total asshole. She did 3 clutch replacements in 100,000 on her Altima before giving up and getting and automatic.

PS - nice car. Local VW dealer here has a new 2015 red over tan manual Golf Sportwagen on the lot that I was about to pull the trigger on before sinking $2k into the clutch job.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > LongbowMkII
05/23/2015 at 23:42

2.0 TDI

Apparently the dual-mass flywheels are pretty vulnerable to damage and are damn near impossible to machine which is why the new flywheels are included in the kits

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
05/23/2015 at 23:44

Thanks for the complement! Yeah, I had a, um, “few” (read: 27) stalls on my first day of driving it... :/

Hopefully this clutch makes it a few more years

LongbowMkII > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:46

same prices for the clutch, the flywheels are ridiculously priced.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
05/23/2015 at 23:47

Kinja'd!!!

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > LongbowMkII
05/23/2015 at 23:48

Yeah :/ too bad... maybe have one custom made?

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > LongbowMkII
05/23/2015 at 23:49

OOOOOOHHHHHH :D

http://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/products/sachs…

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > LongbowMkII
05/23/2015 at 23:52

Or... http://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/products/valeo…

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:52

It should. Getting those out of the system while it is new should help. I’m going to be using my new clutch as an opportunity to teach my wife how to drive it without worrying about a few stalls killing the clutch.

In my experience bad shifts at high RPM are what really kill clutches. Stalls in parking lots and traffic are probably more stressful on the motor than the clutch.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:53

Kinja'd!!!

you.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
05/23/2015 at 23:55

Yes it is good to get them out of my system :)

Second point is true... it is also what kills valve trains :’(

ttyymmnn > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:56

I have 208,000 on the original clutch in my ‘01 Golf.

*knock on wood*

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
05/23/2015 at 23:56

???????????????

JGrabowMSt > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/23/2015 at 23:57

Use that to your advantage then, and see if he can get you better/upgraded parts for cheaper. I had a really nice shop drop and replace a trans for $650 a few years ago. Most shops would charge almost double that just to put a car on a lift, but they were really nice. Maybe because I was at the end of my knowledge and they were feeling generous? Not sure, didnt question it, and was a repeat customer.

Since you race it (autox, whatever) have you changed brake fluid and clutch fluid yet in the car? Also, you should have a quicker oil change interval during the race season, and also consider a trans fluid change and dropping the pan to check for flakes. I wouldnt flush the trans though, just drain and refill. You could ask your neighbor what he suggests though.

You whip the thing hard, and fresh fluids are way cheaper than fresh parts. My Magnums trans has 155k on it, and when I dropped the pan for a fluid change, there was no sign of premature wear at 146k miles. New filter, fresh fluid and it runs like a new trans. Had it flushed about 1000 miles later and its still going strong. The torque converter isnt quite the same, but it is the weakest link in my drivetrain.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > ttyymmnn
05/23/2015 at 23:57

Kinja'd!!!

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > JGrabowMSt
05/24/2015 at 00:00

LOL since my first autocross I have changed my oil.... once

I haven’t ever changed my brake fluid either, but since the system has never been opened... I would think it would still be clean.

Also, http://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/products/valeo…

jkm7680 > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 00:05

My A4 is at 140-something thousand miles on te original clutch and it’s fine. It's seen it's fair share of abuse though.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 00:08

you’re butt hurt.

I think, idk

JGrabowMSt > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 00:08

Do your brakes soon dude, seriously. Brake fluid is hydroscopic, it absorbs water, especially during wide temperature differences, which you see a lot. Pedal feel is probably very different compared to new, and its way beyond just “broken in.”

Since no fluid system is truly airtight except maybe the clutch (no guarantee there though), you should really think about fresh fluids all around. It will go a long way, I promise you’ll notice a big difference immediately!

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
05/24/2015 at 00:11

What? No, I’m like:

Kinja'd!!!

about what you want me to do

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > JGrabowMSt
05/24/2015 at 00:12

Hm, I’ll see what I can do about it... probably nothing right off the bat. SOON...

Slant6 > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 00:12

My 9-5 wagon has 196,xxx on the original clutch. That’s the original owner, his two grandsons (they inherited it, the man still haunts it by making the fuel gauge dance when ever I hit the brakes) who learned stick on it, me who learned stick on it, my brother who learned stick on it and about 30 other people from my school who gave me $10 to teach them how to drive stick.

ttyymmnn > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 00:15

Truth.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Slant6
05/24/2015 at 00:16

LOL that is a tough sumbitch :P not so sure about mine though...

nothing has broken on my VW (KNOCK ON WOOD)

but if something does break...

Kinja'd!!!

...its going to break real good

M54B30 > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 00:17

Eh, don’t worry until the engagaement is unusually late in the pedal travel.

I have 250k on what i suspect is the original clutch in my Corolla. I taught my wife how to drive it and i beat the living bejeesus out of it on the regular

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 00:18

not really. it was the 4.6 v8 so not really the big one. They really dont wear out too bad if you dont abuse them

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > M54B30
05/24/2015 at 00:19

1st point: It engages around the top from the factory... with a LOOOOOONNNNNGGGG throw

2nd point: Attaboy!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 00:19

Kinja'd!!!

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
05/24/2015 at 00:19

I guess that is true

Slant6 > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 00:21

I bought my Saab for $400 with 168,000 miles. It has already exceeded everyone’s expectations on reliability. Once I hit 200,000 and any chance of selling it disappears (200,000 mile Saabs can’t even be scraped) I’m going to stop babying it (by baby I mean driving on roads) and see how long it lasts. It’s been a great first car.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Slant6
05/24/2015 at 00:22

This is my first car, but it hasn’t exactly been babied its whole life...

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 00:57

really expect a good 125k out of the clutch as long is hasnt been beaten

JEM > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 02:15

Depends if you let 505Turbeaux drive it ;-)

My last Tiburon the clutch was fine till I sold it to him at 190,000

Cé hé sin > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 05:45

Dual mass flywheels are something of a horror story if you have a diesel to which they’re frequently fitted.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 05:58

The clutch on my diesel Fiat Panda was slipping at 70k. That’s just because Fiat thought it was a good idea to use the same clutch as the petrol version which has half the torque. It wasnt a good idea so they eat clutches.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 08:50

The 2005 Focus I’m driving has 243,000 km on it, and its gone through three clutches. And the throw out bearing is currently making a terrible terrible noise.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > JEM
05/24/2015 at 09:59

lol nice :)

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Cé hé sin
05/24/2015 at 09:59

Oh boy... so single mass flywheel is what I want?

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
05/24/2015 at 10:00

Oof that’s not good :(

Cé hé sin > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 10:02

Have you the choice?

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Cé hé sin
05/24/2015 at 10:11

Buy this and have it shipped back to the states!

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
05/24/2015 at 16:03

My mother was not kind to the little car. I forgot to mention the clutch master cylinder puked on me last fall.