what would you do , keep car or sell?

[ShiWarrior]

Hi all

Bit of a dilemma at this moment in time, and i could use some help/idea from you knowledgeable lot


Even though i have been thinking about selling the car for over a year now, its still going strong (due to wanting a newer car with more mod cons and going automatic if poss)

but a year ago reverse gear can be a little problem going in, now a year later, a bit more so

so my dad (the mechanic) does occasional drive the car, a year ago said it could be the clutch that's starting to go, now he thinks he could be the slave cylinder

reading the Haynes manual the slave cylinder is "internal" so he said about getting the clutch. Dual Mass Flywheel and Slave Cylinder done all at the same time ?

(im no expert i may have that wrong)

car is a chain driven 2009 Ford Focus 1.8

or do I sell the car as it is?

Ive got 4 years left of my Help to Buy ISA, - so im saving for my own place at the moment


any help appreciated
thanks

 

[paradigm]

If you are saving for a property purchase, i'd get the car fixed and run it for a while longer, especially if you are getting cheap/free labour through your dad.

 

[ShiWarrior]

If you are saving for a property purchase, i'd get the car fixed and run it for a while longer, especially if you are getting cheap/free labour through your dad.

he wont be doing the work, it would be going to the Garage
i should have said that in my OP, sorry

he does the odd thing on any of my cars, but gear box out is a big NO

 

[kurosagi01]

If its just clutch that needs doing then the car overall is perfectly fine? Id get the clutch sorted tbh, unless the car value is less than the parts+labour for the clutch work then scrap it and get another cheap car which doesn't need clutch replacement. Although it can go either way, if the cheap replacement car is worse than your current car when you get one then it might of been better to keep the current car.

 

[ShiWarrior]

how would one find out if it just needs clutch or other parts?

 

[Drumroll]

The advice to replace all the parts mentioned is correct. Many people opt for just the clutch, but once "out", it's basically just the extra parts cost, and the assurance that you won't have problems related to it any time soon. Otherwise, you may just replace the clutch, and few weeks later pay for the labour again, to replace the other part.
If the car is running fine, keep it. Plenty of dodgy cars, clocked mileage, bodge repairs, etc.
Car market is going to be interesting in few months. Surplus of second hand ex-PCP, few big companies using auction to clear stocks, etc.

 

[ShiWarrior]

Dad will be getting a price on Monday when his car is going in for some work

 

[BUDFORCE]

You sure it's just you not putting the clutch all the way down to get it in reverse?

Is the clutch slipping at all?

Mileage of the he car?

Some vehicles you have to really get the clutch down to the floor for reverse, where as the forward gears you can get away without, you get used to changing gear until reverse as you got a habit of not fully disengaging the clutch.

 

[silvagti]

Assuming the car's mileage isn't astronomical it sounds like it's definitely worth getting the repairs done and hopefully running the car for a few more years.

 

[ShiWarrior]

You sure it's just you not putting the clutch all the way down to get it in reverse?

Is the clutch slipping at all?

Mileage of the he car?

Some vehicles you have to really get the clutch down to the floor for reverse, where as the forward gears you can get away without, you get used to changing gear until reverse as you got a habit of not fully disengaging the clutch.

Yes, it's all the way down

Not slipping
71K miles

 

[iamdjdz]

I have a similar dilemma on a car that's ancient, needs a new clutch (noisy and hard to get in first and reverse but not slipping). Just came in for moral support really, but mines worth maybe £900 and with parts and labour the bill would be similar to the value so am debating getting rid.

 

[agw_01]

Is it a petrol? If so, does it even have a DMF?

Is it easier to put into reverse if you put it into 4th gear first? If the rest of the car is in good order, I'd get the clutch replaced and keep it for a few years.

The Focus is a dull but dependable car, even more so if it's a petrol.

The problem with buying another car is you don't know w if it could also need a clutch/brakes etc.

 

[ShiWarrior]

Is it a petrol? If so, does it even have a DMF?

Is it easier to put into reverse if you put it into 4th gear first? If the rest of the car is in good order, I'd get the clutch replaced and keep it for a few years.

The Focus is a dull but dependable car, even more so if it's a petrol.

The problem with buying another car is you don't know w if it could also need a clutch/brakes etc.

no DMF
its petrol

not really sure about other gears first then reverse

 

[Drumroll]

Not a guarantee another car, at least at similar budget, won't need money spent on it.
If the clutch is the only issue, the engine is in good condition, and no other major work is needed, it's worth keeping, unless you're willing to invest some money and buy something newer/lower mileage.
The only thing you should keep in mind is that the cost of the repair, is the cost to keep your car running as before, without the risk of buying a lemon which may or may not require even more money spent on. You won't add value to the car. It's simply "running costs". And to be honest, clutches are items that wear, so eventually will need to be replaced. But when comes to the point of bad leaking oil, coolant levels dropping fast, then the car will be a money pit and isn't economical to repair, as the cost to fix such issues are likely to be X times the value of the car, and the money would allow for the acquisition of a newer car.

 

[agw_01]

A clutch and slave cylinder will probably cost £200 in parts, maybe 2-3 hours labour for a decent garage.

So £350 for a clutch and slave cylinder change on a car that you've otherwise been happy with reliability wise seems like a no brainer to me.

I wouldn't rush into getting the clutch changed straight away though. Maybe try waiting a few seconds after dipping the clutch to put it into gear, see if that helps.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

Doubt its the clutch. Many cars have reverse gear crunch because there is no synchro on the reverse gear to synch the shaft speed.
Easy test hold clutch down for 30 seconds then engage the reverse gear. If it goes in with less or no grinding then its probably time to change the gearbox oil. Ford usually claim gearbox oil is for life but since iv been driving a mk3 fiesta for 21 years now i can tell you changing the box oil to high quality synthetic stuff makes a big difference.
Dont change clutch unless its starting to slip. Depends on how its driven in your car the clutch should go well over 100k. My cousins 1.8 petrol zetec escort clutch had over 200k on it till car got rear ended.
Fords got bigger clutches on them not like the aygo, 107 and c1.

 

[ShiWarrior]

problem is, its not all the time, it seems to do it when it wants to (not go in reverse) ive even had problems getting into 1st and 2nd as well

 

[kurosagi01]

When was the last time it had transmission oil done? Not sure in normal cars but most hot-hatches and few performance cars require transmission oil done either every 20k or 40k.
Has the car got enough brake fluid or had brake fluid flushed and re-done?
If all of it was done then perhaps the clutch,DMF, master slave cylinder will need doing, if that doesn't resolve it then the syncro in the gearbox itself probably the problem.

 

[Howard]

problem is, its not all the time, it seems to do it when it wants to (not go in reverse) ive even had problems getting into 1st and 2nd as well

When I bought my old car (Mondeo ST220), I had issues with it going into 1st and reverse when cold. I took it back to the supplying Ford dealer and they replaced the clutch under warranty. It was perfect thereafter.

If your clutch components / slave cylinder are getting a bit worn out, it wouldn't surprise me. Well worth doing if car is otherwise fine.

 

[ShiWarrior]

thanks all