If you ask us here at United Diesel Repair how long a diesel truck’s clutch will last, we would have to say that the answer varies. The lifespan of a clutch is affected by the quality of the auto part and how you drive your diesel truck. Many drivers can get 100,000 miles out of their clutch, while others burn out the clutch within 50,000 miles. Thankfully, the clutch will give you warnings that it is going out. Here is what those warnings are.
Acceleration/Engine Lag
You might already know what the primary function of a clutch is, but if you don’t, the function is to transfer the engine power to the transmission. The transmission needs this power so it can turn the drivetrain. Without a rotating drivetrain, your wheels won’t turn. If the clutch is going out, it may not be able to transfer the power and you will end up with acceleration and engine lag.
Grinding Gears/Gear Problems
You will also end up with grinding gears. The gears are grinding because there’s still power in the engine when you shift them. Other signs that your clutch is going out include problems shifting through the gear cycle as well as your diesel truck refusing to go into gear. Aside from the change in RPMs, shifting the gears should be a smooth and quiet process.
Hot/Burning Odors
If you end up with hot or burning odors coming from the clutch, this is an indication that the clutch is slipping. A slipping clutch does not stay engaged and you end up with the problems discussed above. There may not be any power transfer, and you may have numerous issues when you try to shift the gears in your manual transmission.
Soft/Sinking Clutch Pedal
A change in how the clutch pedal feels is also a sign that the clutch is going out. This change can be that the clutch pedal feels soft and is sinking all the way to the floor without catching, or it can be that the clutch pedal has suddenly become very hard to depress. Another change you will notice is the change in the catch or bite point. It may get higher if the clutch is starting to go bad.
Squeaking Noises From the Clutch
Finally, if you hear squeaking noises coming from your clutch, we need to take it apart and replace internal mechanisms that are wearing down. Your clutch should not make any noise when you depress it.
Call United Diesel Repair in Flowery Branch, GA, today if you are having problems with your clutch in your diesel automobile. We can adjust, rebuild, or replace the clutch.
