Forum:
Hi
I've had a 56-plate sirion 1.3SE with 13000 miles for about 3 weeks now.
I love almost everything on the car but I'm concerned that there might be something wrong with gearbox and/or clutch.
I didn't notice it at first, either on the test drive or just after collecting it because its reasonably well-behaved when changing gear above about 3500 rpm.
But below this rpm, the clutch has to be rammed right to the floor to change between 1st, 2nd and sometimes 3rd - without it feeling very notchy and some occasional loud clicking noises - although with no actual physical resistance. I say "rammed" to the floor, because it really feels like it will only change cleanly if the clutch is pressed down so hard and fast that I can feel and hear it come to the end of its travel.
I thought I'd cured it by sitting closer to the wheel - I've only driven automatics for the past 2 years and I didn't realise I wasn't sitting close enough for the clutch to go all the way down. But today it has re-appeared, and even the ramming didn't always work.
I can live with it if thats how they are but is this typical?
And could the sirion's gearbox ever be described as "slick"? Mine certainly isn't.
I know that they take a few miles to loosen up, but should it have happened by 13000 miles?
I would be very grateful to anyone who would comment.
On a 56 with 13k, it's still
On a 56 with 13k, it's still well under warranty.
To the dealers you go. And do not attempt anything such as getting another garage to have a go which may invalidate things.
Dave with a Sporty
Dave with a Sporty
I'd go to another dealer and
I'd go to another dealer and ask to drive one. See if the same as if so it might be a trait but if not you know this is not the case and the original dealer needs to resolve this for you.
Daihatsu drivetrains are normally pretty good and gearboxes are not known to be notchy in my experience. Certainly or 54 plate Sirion Rally has a nice smooth lght gearchange and the clutch is ok although the pedal feels a little sticky at times but that might need some lubrication.
Daihatsu Charade GTti Owners Club
WWW.GTtiOC.CO.UK
Daihatsu Charade GTti Owners Club
WWW.GTtiOC.CO.UK
Thanks guys. I'll ring up my
Thanks guys.
I'll ring up my dealer tomorrow. I've just driven it for half an hour and with sitting painfully close to the pedals and really jamming the clutch down it was *just* okay.
I'll see what happens.
TAKE IT BACK TO THE
TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER...
With 13K and on a 56 plate it should be under what is left of the Daihatsu warranty.
It sounds like the clutch friction plate may have split, which is a manufacturing issue and hammering the clutch pedal will not improve matters as it will eventually fail completely if you don't break the pedal first.
Even if there is a dispute as to who pays continuing as you are is not going to cure the problem...agreed daihatsu parts are expensive but there seems to be an underlying problem which needs attention and the resolution is a professional investigation.
The alternative is to employ an independent auto engineer (Local, AA or RAC) to check the car and to suport your claim against Daihatsu under the their manufacturing warranty terms.
I did take it back last week
I did take it back last week and they were suprised with what I was saying, so I sat next to a mechanic for a speedy trip around the block whilst he had a go.
It seemed a bit like he'd decided there was nothing wrong with it before he sat in the car. And he drove it fast despite me telling him that the problem was mainly when changing gear at about 2500 rpm.
He then took it in the workshop and came back saying there was nothing wrong with it, but had lubriacted the gear linkages and adjusted the clutch to give more pressure near the bottom.
It was better, but the problem still persisted for a while but in the past couple of days seems to have gone away. But 2nd to 3rd is as notchy as ever and I fequently can't engage reverse straight from 1st or 2nd - but 3rd or 4th is okay.
It doesn't seem like anything is really wrong now, although I am still sitting much too close for comfort to the pedals in order make sure the clutch is always *right* on the floor - although I don't ram it in now.
Thanks for your comment