Having blatted up and down the M1 flat out in the Ami last weekend I noticed that the clutch was slipping under load. It's a new clutch 2000 miles ago, so I knew it wasn't worn out. Upon inspection, it became apparent that the engine's been chucking oil out - possibly through a small hole in the air filter housing - all over the top of the engine, and this has trickled down into the bellhousing and gone all over the clutch.
I'm pretty sure I've fixed the oil leak, but what can I do about the clutch? Or is it just a matter of gritting my teeth and getting a (nother) new clutch from Uncle Roy? Or even just a new friction plate?
However I sort it, it will be sorted out by the time it's sold, for anyone who's read the "for sale" thread ...

I would have thought you *might* get away with squirting some brake and clutch cleaner in there, and slipping the clutch a bit. Repeat until everything is hunky-dory again, or until the can runs out, when it's probably time to buy a new clutch! As it's all practically brand new, I would think you would get away with replacing just the friction plate and cleaning the rest up. Good luck!

How's it been going since you stopped the leak, Rhythm?

I reckon there's a more-than-fair-chance it'll sort itself out with a bit of use. After all, it's not as tho' the oil has been coating it for a while - it can surely only be surface? Ok, it'll have been 'carbonised', but this will just wear off quickly just as normal friction material would - I'd have thought.

The new owner will be getting what is effectively a new clutch. Even if a bit of wear is needed to get back to the full friction material, it must still have the best part of 80k miles under its belt...

Worst case scenario - the friction plate alone will need replacing. A pain - and a bit of labour - to get to, but actual parts cost , very little.

I still think it'll be ok with a bit of use. No cleaner needed.

Oil on clutch plate, much the same effect as brake fluid on shoes or pads, in my experience.

Unless you're willing to accept a juddering/slipping clutch, or impaired brakes, of course...

ken.

( Relined plates are available, but worth checking that the oil isn't coming forwards from the gearbox, as that's more likely than engine oil managing to reach the clutch.
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Could the horrific clutch judder I'm currently experiencing be related to my oil everywhere issue?

It's definitely engine oil. It's all over the chassis rail on the nearside front, right under the air cleaner, and it's been blown backwards over the nose of the starter motor and the spare wheel. It was all over the underside of the air cleaner housing and it looks like it's been blown into the air cleaner housing then leaked out through a small hole in the casing. Is this likely? It's what appears to have happened and it's not leaking from anywhere else that I can see.
Going to try spraying a load of clutch cleaner into the bellhousing tomorrow. If that doesn't work (and I don't want the clutch to judder or slip at all), I'll get a new friction plate for it.

probably
Brakes?

Unlikely, as it was like that before your oil leak happened.

In terms of?

Not working!
honking vibrating and pulling to one side?

brakes dont like oil either

edit>
OK as there always seems to be a back story in these mechanical maladies, Juddering clutches usually mean the friction plate is contaminated, worn or burnt cure is to replace it. Diapragm clutches are only designed to transmit torque in one direction so vicious bump or tow starting can bend the straps and cause a judder too, replacement of the whole thing is the cure.