Can you diagnose clutch life left on a manual?

Unfortunately...............not really.

I think there is a slot on top of the 360 transmission where you can take a peek inside the clutch and flywheel area.

I'm sure I have seen pics of members here getting in there trying to measure to thickness left on the clutch plate through the top of the transmission. Probably gives you a good idea, but not 100% accurate.

I cannot say the same for the 550 sorry, wouldn't have a clue if you can do the same or not.

The best and only way is to perform an actual 'test' to determine if it worn out on the day of the PPI. And even if it's good on the day, the clutch is probably only 5 mins away from wearing out and no one can pick that. I've come across this before while doing PPI's.

I will see if I can dig up the 360 pics from the top of the transmission. I think I saved them on my computer.

 

If it slips it means you have to replace it.

 

A clutch can fail in many ways, slipping is just one of the failure modes and often not even the first to occur. A failed throwout bearing, juddering engagement, broken damper springs or broken diaphragm spring come to mind.

If it doesn't judder at starting from standstill, feels "nice" across the pedal travel with a 'tipping point' halfway it's travel, doesn't slip or stick (do the gears shift fine?), then you probably have a good one.

For slippage, you could do the 'inertia check', which basically means a very quick test in milliseconds.
You give an amount of throttle in third at 50mph or so, then press the clutch but without letting go of the throttle. The revs will first rise fast since you're still on the throttle, and as soon as you're 1000rpm over what it was you immediately let go of the clutch again, so this is all done within a few milliseconds.
You're effectively using the clutch as a brake to get the engine's momentum down again.
If the engine returns very quickly to the revs it should have, then the clutch is not slipping.

A word of warning: Be VERY careful. Do not to do this on a wet road, use little throttle and not with more than 1000 revs difference! Stuntdrivers use exactly the same procedure to get a car into a spin - ought to tell you something.

 

I think there's always an inspection port to see the timing marks on the flywheel edge.

Depending on what viewing equipment you have, you could likely see the disc, but as noted a failed oil seal could make it go "next week".

Buy the car and enjoy driving it, clutch jobs are cheep enough.

 

Aw Man, why did you have to post that?! Now I have to try it.

Dave

 

I have NEVER worn out a clutch.

A friend goes thru one every 2.5-3 years.


Depends greatly on how you drive.

 

Put it in first.

Clutch pedal in.

Foot on brake hard.

At idle come off clutch quickly.

Motor should stall.

If it does immediately clutch is good.

 

feel free... it's not very good for the driveline though if you do it hard...

Yup - especially with a torque monster such as the V12s it can go really quickly if you drive it with a lot of slip. This one went under in 0.001 miles: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giq_VbmvqYM[/ame]

 

Love it!

 

The Corvette had the traction control on... car and driver were fighting eachother and the clutch suffered.

 

Napolis' tip is good.

Other than that there's no guarantees, you are always at risk with buying a car, even a new. FWIW - my 550 failed its clutch pressure group at 41,000 miles but the clutch wear itself was fine.

For the majority of drivers, the 550 should be able to do well over 60,000 miles on a clutch. I wouldn't worry about it too much.


Onno