Wayne's service tip - 2004 VW Passat Clutch Slipping
Posted by Wayne Watson on Fri, Oct 07, 2011 @ 11:25 AM
Customer’s complaint was that the clutch was slipping and/or not engaging correctly. The mechanic test drove the vehicle and found when the turbo engaged the clutch would start slipping. Our diagnosis from the test drive was a faulty pressure plate. The customer approved a clutch replacement. You will be an amazed at what we found once the transmission was removed.
Check out this pressure plate, amazing that the vehicle still drove and the clutch worked fine until the turbo kicked in.
We were able to find a clutch kit that came with the pressure plate, flywheel and clutch disc. We would have to say this is the first time we have run across a pressure plate this bad and still functional. This could have done severe damage at some point very soon. If the pressure plate came apart it could have damaged the transmission case along with other components.
This customer was very surprised at how different the clutch operated when the repair was complete. He actually killed the engine a couple times leaving the parking lot. He was not used to quick response while releasing the clutch pedal.
