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[nilocp]

I have a 2.5V6 petrol estate which I use for towing a racing car. It has done about 40,000 miles, but I find the clutch has no feel, and is what I call soft!. If you are pulling out from an uphill junction, you can get to the point that it just totally bogs down.
Is there another type of clutch I can use?

I used to have an Audi V6 estate, with over 100,000 miles on the original clutch which gave no problems at all.

Colin

[Marks DTM Calib]

Omega clutches are normaly excellent and last well beyong 150K miles (dependent on the driver)

I would bleed the clutch setup, to do this you need to use a pressure bleeder to force fluid in through the bleed nipple on the box in order to ensure all the air is removed.

[nilocp]

Naah! it is not that sort of problem. It is the friction material, or the pressure springs not up to the job of towing!

Colin

[Marks DTM Calib]

Naah! it is not that sort of problem. It is the friction material, or the pressure springs not up to the job of towing!

Colin

Well

There are no pressure springs.....it has a DMFW.

Clearly you have already decided on the cause, not aware of any alternative clutches.

Your the first person I have heard off to bugger one up at that sort of mileage though.

[nilocp]

Actually I have only just got it, so have not 'buggered' it whatever that means.
Actually, I do not know what this DMFW type of clutch is.
Can someone explain?

Coln

[tunnie]

Naah! it is not that sort of problem. It is the friction material, or the pressure springs not up to the job of towing!

Colin

You must drive like a boy racer then!

Loads of people here have 2.0/2.5 & 3.0 Omegas with manual boxes and tow caravans no problems.

Memebers here have 2.0 Omega's and tow a 1,400kg van no probs!

[TheBoy]

Actually I have only just got it, so have not 'buggered' it whatever that means.
Actually, I do not know what this DMFW type of clutch is.
Can someone explain?

Coln

Dual Mass FlyWheel

[Marks DTM Calib]

Dual mass Fly Wheel so no clutch springs.....

[JamesV6CDX]

A sprung loaded flywheel...

The Omega clutch setup is a reliable one...

If you are positive it needs replacing, I'm not aware of any clutches better than the genuine product.

I fitted a ferrodo clutch and a QH release bearing to mine, and it's fine...

[Matchless]

I think he is saying that the clutch lacks 'bite'.

In that case im afraid you will have to remove the gearbox and have a look, its possible that the clutch has been slipped too much by a previous owner and overheated in which case you will have to replace the driven plate and cover plate.
The other thing to look at is the 'spring' in the cover plate, its like a large dished washer, 2 inch wide, about 6 inch diameter (sorry If this is pitched too low). I had a clutch which went 'soft' and a few days later there was an almighty bang and I lost all drive.....the 'spring' had snapped in two, I guess the crack spread slowly reducing the pressure on the driven plate before failing completely.

[jonathanh]

Best thing to do seems to me to try to find a mate with a manual box and give it s try.  If there is a difference between yours and your the other car then you know something is not right with your clutch (or his I guess).  If they are both the same and you are not comfortable with it then it is a standard thing that you don't like so then look for different solutions.

My personal experience (2.5 manual) is that it is pretty easy to find the biting point even when towing and I've not really managed to get bogged down.  I'm also wondering if there is some other issue, perhaps lacking low down torque that makes it feel like it does.

Perhaps update your personal info and someone local to you may be able to help out?

[nilocp]

Jonathanh, you may have hit on a point there!! There is no low down torque, certainly compared with my old 2.8 V6 Audi. I put this down to being Vauxhall!! Seriously, this is a multi valve engine, and the Audi was just a 2 valve / cyl. Also it is only 2.5 not 2.8.

There may well be a problem there as well?

The car is new to me, so still learning what it can / cant do!

Colin

[Marks DTM Calib]

Jonathanh, you may have hit on a point there!! There is no low down torque, certainly compared with my old 2.8 V6 Audi. I put this down to being Vauxhall!! Seriously, this is a multi valve engine, and the Audi was just a 2 valve / cyl. Also it is only 2.5 not 2.8.

There may well be a problem there as well?

The car is new to me, so still learning what it can / cant do!

Colin

The V6 (when working correctly) has good low down torque.....it will pull from 1000rpm in top!

[jonathanh]

Jonathanh, you may have hit on a point there!! There is no low down torque, certainly compared with my old 2.8 V6 Audi. I put this down to being Vauxhall!! Seriously, this is a multi valve engine, and the Audi was just a 2 valve / cyl. Also it is only 2.5 not 2.8.

There may well be a problem there as well?

The car is new to me, so still learning what it can / cant do!

Colin

The V6 (when working correctly) has good low down torque.....it will pull from 1000rpm in top!

I'll absolutely second that, mine will pull easily from 1,000 in top gear with no complaints at all.