Sticky Clutch Problem New RS4

[bobey]

Hello,
I had a small problem with my new RS4 today on my way back from lunch. When I changed gears after a red light I noticed that the clutch seemed to stick on it's way back up. It didn't get completely stuck but it was very slow which kinda made the whole ride jerky :-(. This lasted for a couple of kilometers until the next red light at which I pressed the clutch several time in rapid succession whilst in neutral. After this I didn't have the problem any more (I drove a few kilometers further).

Anyhow anyone know what this could be? Could it be the spring/counter weight (or whatever system they use in the RS4) mechanism for the clutch that glitched a bit? If so is it anything to worry about?

P.S. One week and 1500Km since purchase and it's just getting better :-].

// bobey

[KK265]

See this also:http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=...bd39b966efd00e

and this:http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=...wtopic&t=53724

[deans]

Hi, I post on the rs246.com forum about a similar, slightly more extreme problem, that I noticed on the weekend (1050miles).

I had noticed the clutch pedal return slowly before but then at the weekend the clutch pedal just went incredibly hard and slow to return. Has happened a couple of times now.

Apparently, Nas from the 246 forum noticed this problem after 13 miles in his and they spent 5 weeks replacing bits until they established a problem with a hydraulic pipe (felt hydraulic to me).

I'm going to contact my dealer tomorrow and put their tech guys intouch with the dealer that fixed Nas' car.

I'll post here as well as 246 when I got some more news.

[bobey]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Mine hasn't acted up again after the initial instance. So I will wait and see if it happens again.

Maybe it could have been a bubble or something in the hydraulic system!?

// bobey

[Parikh1234]

Originally posted by bobey
Thanks for the replies everyone. Mine hasn't acted up again after the initial instance. So I will wait and see if it happens again.

Maybe it could have been a bubble or something in the hydraulic system!?

// bobey

my car is going in on wed for this problem. There is a fix. Ill let you know how it turns out. Better to get it fixed now than to have it cause trouble later.

[deans]

My car will be going in about 2 weeks from now, its taking a little bit of time to get the part.

I posted full details on the rs246 board thread but the summary is that it is a vacumm pipe serving the clutch. It is too weak and collapses under the -ve pressure.

[Parikh1234]

Originally posted by deans
My car will be going in about 2 weeks from now, its taking a little bit of time to get the part.

I posted full details on the rs246 board thread but the summary is that it is a vacumm pipe serving the clutch. It is too weak and collapses under the -ve pressure.

Thanks, ill let my dealer know this when I bring it in on wed. Do you know if this problem has any effect on the other parts of the trans? Is the car ok to drive until wed? Should they be changing out any other parts? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[deans]

I don't believe it has an impact on any other part of the transmission and as to driving it, its ok to drive but it has caught me out an number of times - the clutch hasn't returned and engaged as it should and caused a very violent gear change as a result - this can be dangerous.

To save too much invesitgation you could get your guys to call Richard @ Audi Bedfordshire or Steward @ Audi Huntingdon both here in the UK. I assume that Audi central must know about this problem by now.

[jasaretta]

Same problem here - mechanic picking car up tomorrow - will let you know how it goes.

james

[BryanF]

My clutch makes a"clicking sound" when its cold with the pedal half way out.I have also experience a very jerky change just once but put it down to the fact that I was giving a mate in a Ford GTP
a bit of a taste of RS4 dust.The clutch also appears the grab twice within the last 50 millimetres or two inches. every now and again

Has anyone else experienced these issues ?

[jasaretta]

Originally posted by BryanF
My clutch makes a"clicking sound" when its cold with the pedal half way out.I have also experience a very jerky change just once but put it down to the fact that I was giving a mate in a Ford GTP
a bit of a taste of RS4 dust.The clutch also appears the grab twice within the last 50 millimetres or two inches. every now and again

Has anyone else experienced these issues ?

Bryan, this could be the same problem...just not as extreme.

[jasaretta]

Car picked up this morning - just had a call telling me that there is a small hose in the clutch that bubbles and as a result doesn't allow the clutch to return. Car not driveable at this stage due to the danger of the clutch sticking while driving.

Part ordered from Germany - 5-10 days - ordered as a VOR - vehicle off road. Otherwise it would take 3-5 weeks!

Great service though - kept me well informed, all under warranty, loan car on the way. Suggest others get them checked at their next service.

james

[jasaretta]

Car has been in the shop for 1 week so far. Still waiting on parts from Germany - make sure you get it checked at service guys and gals.

james

[Audihead]

I had some balky shifter problems around 1,000 Miles. The car did not want to go into 1st or 2nd. This happened @ 10 times. Hasn't happened since. Clutch pressure has been fine though. The first time I got to hammer the car, I didn't know you had to shut the ESP off to get a decent non-jerky shift. Otherwise the ESP kicks in and you you look like a dork cause the car just bogs down and the little light just sits there and flashes at you for being stupid.

[BigRick]

Originally posted by Audihead
I had some balky shifter problems around 1,000 Miles. The car did not want to go into 1st or 2nd. This happened @ 10 times. Hasn't happened since. Clutch pressure has been fine though. The first time I got to hammer the car, I didn't know you had to shut the ESP off to get a decent non-jerky shift. Otherwise the ESP kicks in and you you look like a dork cause the car just bogs down and the little light just sits there and flashes at you for being stupid.

I had that problem also a couple of times before I realize that the ESP was not helping at all in those circumstances. I really looked like a rookie

Now I know and it makes all the difference!

[Audihead]

Originally posted by BigRick
I had that problem also a couple of times before I realize that the ESP was not helping at all in those circumstances. I really looked like a rookie

Now I know and it makes all the difference!

Thank god, I thought I was the only one. I didn't experience that in my S4 because it was a slushy trans.

[Leadfoot]

Originally posted by Audihead
I had some balky shifter problems around 1,000 Miles. The car did not want to go into 1st or 2nd. This happened @ 10 times. Hasn't happened since. Clutch pressure has been fine though. The first time I got to hammer the car, I didn't know you had to shut the ESP off to get a decent non-jerky shift. Otherwise the ESP kicks in and you you look like a dork cause the car just bogs down and the little light just sits there and flashes at you for being stupid.

Rick,

Even a humble S4 has the same problem with the ESP on and as for shift problems from 1st to 2rd, dido especially in the morning first thing when the transmission and car is cold. You have to fully clutch before trying to change gear, but when it's warm no problems at all. I put it down to being a quattro as I never had the problem when I use to own a fwd A3.

[BigRick]

I wouldn't even try that kind of shifting with a cool engine but yeah I understand what you mean.

But I never had that kind of "problem" with my B5 S4 in the past. I don't even remember removing the ESP at all on that one. Ho yeah a couple of times in the snow! much more fun to have without it

Cheers