northern_nubie

Thanks for your reply, Clifford. I'm just trying to think who I can get independent advice from, I mean a place I can trust. I'll do some searching and see. Perhaps that's the only way to make progress on my issue. After the technicians had a drive, I thought to myself that they may well have an interest in saying all is as it should be, bacause to say otherwise would effectively mean they've made some error when fitting the clutch. Also, interesting to hear what you say about Audi diagnoses, which I hadn't heard before. Let me get back to you. In the meantime, if anyone else has any views, they'll of course be appreciated.

I had a new clutch fitted about six weeks ago, to my 2003 Audi A3. It was done by a main Audi dealer, who are normally very good. I've driven quite a lot since it was fitted. Ever since, when releasing the clutch there's a slight jolting effect from the clutch, as the gear engages. Not too bad in lower gears, when bringing the pedal up is done more slowly. But from third to fourth gear, and often fourth to fifth, the jolt is there. It wasn't like that before the new clutch. The previous clutch was the original one. I accept that a new clutch won't feel the same, but it's made driving the car far less pleasurable. It doesn't even feel like it's doing the clutch or gears that much good. Two technicians from Audi drove the car with me in it. While they accepted the jolt is there, they said this is normal. I can't understand their reasoning. It wasn't like that from new, so why now, with a new clutch? They couldn't give me a good answer. The biting point also seems incredibly low, but they said that can't be altered, as it's self-correcting. But it just doesn't feel right and on hill starts it often feels like it may stall, and has done a few times, despite enough revs applied at the right time. After I complained they altered what I was told was the gear box linkage (I think that's what they said), and now it seems worse. Does anyone happen to know what is going on. As you can see, I'm no expert, but I know things don't feel right with it. (A friend had a new clutch fitted to a Ford Focus, a few years ago, and he said he experienced the same. Their car was never the same again, and he eventually sold it.) I can also add that the car, from new, has often had a clunk noise when the clutch is depressed, especially usually just in the lower gears. But this issue is separate from the one described above.

I've gone ahead with the work and I understand they've done most of it already. No sign of any suggestion of gearbox problems, but I note what you say. As for mileage, you may be a bit surprised. It's only done a little over 70000 miles in those 14 years of its life. It used to be my parents' car until 2008 when it had 23000 on the clock. I had a new cambelt fitted 7 years ago and it's due again the end of the year. I think since it was replaced last time, I've done around a bit over 35000. Now that I think, I can't remember after how many miles or years they suggest an A3 needs a new cambelt. I hate the cambelt thing - a pretty large outlay. They should last forever...! I may go to a local Halfords for the new cambelt, they seem to be up to £200 cheaper than an Audi dealer. I should add that I love driving the car and am also averse to replacing it as I'm very fussy and things wind me up when buying items. Better the devil you know, perhaps - certainly in my case.

Sorry for the delay in replying. I asked more about this issue at the dealership, and there was the option of having the oil filter housing work done at a later date, if the new rear crank oil seal and new sump seal didn't fix the leak. While the oil filter housing part itself wouldn't be too costly, I would effectively be paying twice for labour, as that would be included in the price if I got all three jobs done at the same time. So I decided to have all the work done in the end. Hope that makes sense! Thanks for your replies.

Thanks Bradley. The dealer carries out work at a nearby VW workshop, so I'm assuming they're a specialist in the sense you mean. I spoke to them again and it seems that a leak was flagged up (one less bad than this not bad one!) a year or two ago (I have had the car for nine years). So maybe its a cumulative affect of wear and tear. He did say I could hold back on having the oil filter housing done if the other fixes worked, and he's getting back to me about the cost of that, if I had it done separately.

Hi, New here, but thought I'd ask for some much needed advice. I've had an engine oil leak for up to a year. It doesn't lose much. I just add a really small amount about once a fortnight - but it is a little annoying especially when the oil drips on to wet ground and spreads out on a driveway. And it's covering quite a bit of the car's underside. So I looked into getting it fixed... Been quoted by an Audi dealer over £1200. They say it's the rear crank oil seal, sump seal and oil filter housing. But when I rang another car repair place quite a knowledgeable-sounding person said he was surprised all three things had gone at once. So, does a problem with all three sound reasonable? I'd very much appreciate any opinions on this, thanks.