Juddering when pulling away

gort · 17 Nov 2007 at 15:37

Ford Focus 1.6LX Zetec 1999.

Recently, my car judders on accelerating from standing in 1st gear. Doesn't matter how much gas I give it or how quickly I release the clutch / add more gas, it still does the same.
Sounds almost like the car is going to stall but it never has.
This happens for maybe a couple of minutes of driving (if using 1st gear from standing) and then goes away and car is absolutely fine from then on.
Happens on cold starts in general but not every time, I suppose maybe a bit more in colder weather.

New clutch bearing was but in last year when the clutch pedal went.

Any ideas? Is it the clutch slipping?

Zuma · 17 Nov 2007 at 15:58

could be the crankshaft oil seal leaking oil onto the clutch plate.
that would cause juddering, and the oil would burn off after a while so would only happen after it's been left for a while.
also could be an oil leak from somewhere else.
or it could be a clutch fluid leak from somewhere that is getting onto the clutch plate somehow.
it's not likely to be a warped clutch plate because it only happens when it's cold.

gort · 17 Nov 2007 at 17:09

Bugger, just checked the engine, the oil level was down to just about the min mark. Had to top it up. Never had to do that before between oil changes. So it is now quite possible I do have a leak somewhere.

Thanks

SgtTupac · 17 Nov 2007 at 17:15

Incorrectly fitted clutch can also cause this problem...

Overlag · 18 Nov 2007 at 02:33

SgtTupac said:
Incorrectly fitted clutch can also cause this problem...

dam, i just posted the same sort of issue in the fiesta 1.4 thread... got a new clutch (all parts) replaced and having juddering issues... i wonder if mine aint fitted right too?

gort · 18 Nov 2007 at 09:47

Speak to the garage / fitter. At least it will be covered by their warranty.

AmDaMan · 18 Nov 2007 at 16:25

driveshaft

Conscript · 18 Nov 2007 at 16:43

My car is the same but an LX....does the juddering happen when changing gear? My car can be a bit jerky for the first few mins when cold, but I thought this was nothing more than the usual problem of driving on a cold engine.

M0T · 18 Nov 2007 at 16:51

Overlag said:
dam, i just posted the same sort of issue in the fiesta 1.4 thread... got a new clutch (all parts) replaced and having juddering issues... i wonder if mine aint fitted right too?

That can happen if the flywheel needs resurfacing, which apparently should be done when you change a clutch because otherwise the new one doesn't bed in properly.