Engine revs when I accelerate hard

[loffler]

Now, I am 90% sure of what the problems is - just looking for a second opinion really, so here goes.

When I drive the car hard I have started getting the revs shooting up and no power. The revs eventually settle if i back off and I can accelerate again.

I have an 03 LCR that has done 53K miles.
Other than a clutch on its way out, what else would cause this symptom?
I just want to be sure before I book it in to be looked at.
I have tried putting it in 4th and moving off from still and it stalls so cant be that bad if it is the clucth.

Could it be some belt or drive slipping - any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Mitchy]

110% clutch.

Happened to me, exact same symptoms

Lazy driving accelerating in 6th gear at low mph riding the high torque especially if remapped.

Knew what it was just by the title of your thread

Your clutch isn't broken like you would normally think, there's just not enough material left on the friction plate to hold the high low down torque, it slips against the pressure plate hence why it eventually grips again the further up the rev range you go when torque value is lower.

Your clutch wont fail though if thats what your worried about, it just wont put down low end torque without slipping.

However do this too long and you risk damaging the flywheel, and they are certainly not cheap £5-600 so better getting it seen to asap really.

 

[Snoopcousins]

Defiantely sounds like clutch-slip....
has it been remapped?
53k miles on 1 clutch doesnt sound too bad even with standard power.

 

[loffler]

Good, cause I have bought the parts already!!

Hasnt been remapped and is a totally stock 210 so thought 53K was quite low in this day and age but may be wrong.
Is it possible that the stock SEAT clutch is under-rated as there are a lot of people complaining of the same thing?

So there is nothing else common that would cause this problem?

Anyway, thanks for the backup

 

[Mitchy]

No, it all depends on your driving style as to how long your clutch will last. Ive heard of a few imprezas burning out their clutch within 1000 miles doing full blown 1/4 mile launches.

Change your driving style and use your gears, 6th gear 40mph+ acceleration is deadly for your clutch.

 

[Mitchy]

As to under rated, nope not a chance.

There are people on here who have remapped torque levels 280-320lbft and still on standard clutch 40-50k miles afterwards.

Like i said, all down to your driving style

 

[pete8tch]

find a good hill and accelerate in 4th gear , if the revs rise and the speedo doesnt its clutch.

 

[andycupra]

agreed, clutch, and no its not a common issue.

as said above, many have remapped to over 300lbft with no issues.

 

[Big_daddy]

If the clutch is slipping does it cause the tc light to flick?

 

[loffler]

If it is my clutch as everyone suggests, my TC light does not flash.
I would have thought that the TC is just for the wheels and not engine parts.

 

[Mitchy]

Clutch slip has no effect on TC light. Totally unrelated!!

 

[Jonny]

Does it do it all the time, or just when it's warm / hot?

I had a replacement gearbox & new clutch fitted on my old Pug, and I took it back to them and complained of a slipping clutch and a bit of smoke. The service guy told me it was impossible because it was new and the "master technician" fitted it etc. basically calling me a liar! (long story which ended with me 'impulse buying' my first Leon after umpteen warranty visits to Peugeot - Seat was the first garage I passed on my way home!) Anyway, their "master technician" took it for a test drive and at first said there was nothing wrong. A few minutes later, he pulled out to pass a lorry, floored it, and the revs shot up to the redline, but we were not going any faster. They dropped the gearbox out and found a hairline crack in the casing. When it's warm, the crack opened just enough to leak some fluid into the clutch housing causing it to slip. That's what I was told anyway - they said it was the first they've come across with a fault like that.

Sorry for the random rambling... unlikely it's the problem you have anyway

 

[loffler]

Well, it doesnt do it all the time, only when I floor it in the higher gears like 4,5,6.
So, I would say that it only does it when its stressed and that would mean when its hot I suppose.

I also had a Pug and also had gearbox problems. Doubt it would be that though, this is SEAT after all!!

Hopefully its just worn cause I have a heavy right foot

 

[MarkE]

Hasnt been remapped and is a totally stock 210

Have you owned it from new?

If not, can you be sure it hadn't previously been modded?

 

[loffler]

No, not owed it from new - I have done less than 20K in it myself so dont know the complete history of the car but was bought from a SEAT garage so wouldnt have thought it had been modded.
Anyway car went into workshop this morning so we will see.

 

[Number86]

No, it all depends on your driving style as to how long your clutch will last. Ive heard of a few imprezas burning out their clutch within 1000 miles doing full blown 1/4 mile launches.

Change your driving style and use your gears, 6th gear 40mph+ acceleration is deadly for your clutch.

I don't get this.

Isn't the clutch only used during gear changes. How can accelerating in a given gear at low revs damaging the clutch. Unless you're slipping the clutch in order to accelerate???

 

[loffler]

Well, just heard that a seal on the slave cylinder had gone and was leaking oil onto the clutch making it slip.

To be honest, I used to think that the clutch was only used when changing gear and had no use once the gear was engaged, but found out otherwise after having this problem and doing some googling.

http://www.nationwideautocentres.co.uk/services_clutches.asp
http://www.valeoclutches.com/ClutchSlippage.asp

 

[Leigh15]

I don't get this.

Isn't the clutch only used during gear changes. How can accelerating in a given gear at low revs damaging the clutch. Unless you're slipping the clutch in order to accelerate???

The friction plate in the clutch is having to hold the power of the engine at all times - diesel engines produce loads of torque at low revs, so if you accelerate hard at low revs in a high gear you are making that friction plate work hard to keep the transmission connected. Eventually it will wear out and start to slip

 

[Number86]

Hmm. I've got a remapped LCR and generally cruise around at fairly low revs (2k and below) as I don't need to rev any higher. Didn't realise this would stress the clutch.

I don't however, use full throttle when at that low revs though!

 

[caec]

Do Seat know about this problem?

I have just started to have Lofflers problem. In 5th gear accelerating from 2000 revs, it jumps up to 3000 but then almost immediately, settles down again. Doesn't happen every time though.

Took my car in Monday 8/10/07 to garage & I did go out with 1 of their mechanics. Fortunately, it happened once on the test drive. He did not know what it was & after discussion back @ garage, they said that they had never heard of it & would ask round their other outlets & come back to me. Needless to say, I am still waiting.

I did mention your website but they did not show much interest.

Does this happen on the Golf Gtdi as well - does anyone know?