Gears not selecting - new clutch fitted only 5 years ago

[ps1]

Hi all. My car (4200) started selecting only 2nd gear and couldn't select 1st or reverse so have it with Mark Donovan (prestige and performance cars in Gravesend) at mo who has suggested pressure plate has gone and needs new clutch. Quoting around 4k. Had new clutch fitted in 2016 by Matthew at Giallo. Is that the kind of life expectancy for clutches doing about 5000 miles a year? Is 4k reasonable and is it something I should get done at Maserati? Thanks for any input as always. P

 

[Vampyrebat]

Hi all. My car (4200) started selecting only 2nd gear and couldn't select 1st or reverse so have it with Mark Donovan (prestige and performance cars in Gravesend) at mo who has suggested pressure plate has gone and needs new clutch. Quoting around 4k. Had new clutch fitted in 2016 by Matthew at Giallo. Is that the kind of life expectancy for clutches doing about 5000 miles a year? Is 4k reasonable and is it something I should get done at Maserati? Thanks for any input as always. P

Mine is a GT not a CC. I just had my clutch changed doing approx. 56k on the first clutch (I know the manual clutches last longer than the CC). It cost me £3,600 inc. vat with our local indy up north, but that also included a new thrust bearing and annual service. Hope this helps!

 

[CatmanV2]

I'd put money on it not being the clutch worn out (as in the friction material gone) but collapsed / broken as suggested. There were a suspected bad batch and the timing seems about right.
£4k seems not un-reasonable but from memory that would include all the 'optional' extras as well.

No need to take it to Maserati. Be a bit surprised if many of the current dealers would be keen to do it, in honesty.

C

 

[dickygrace]

Mark is as straight and knowledgable as they come. It could well have an Hill Engineering release bearing, which don’t work very well, but most likely be a bad clutch. There was a bad batch about in 2014-16 IIRC. If Mark is fitting a new clutch, release bearing and spigot bearing and that’s inc vat then do it, he’s very capable.

 

[FIFTY]

Is it F1 or manual?

If its manual then it might be the gear selection cables that need adjusting and not the clutch causing problems.

Re lifespan if you have done 5k miles a gear since 2016 which is roughly 25k to 30kmiles... Yes you can knacker a clutch on one of these cars in that sort of mileage depending on driving style.

 

[safrane]

This will be your issue

https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/the-low-loader-thread.20737/post-878142

 

[ps1]

Thanks so much everyone that's really helpful and reassuring. Mark comes highly recommended so I'm just waiting for final quote. Apparently have leaky gaskets too although never have oil under car in garage but might be best to get it all sorted. On the off chance does anyone know what the funny vibration from the engine only on ignition is? I gather it's a problem with the 4200s and might be worth sorting that too! Only happens when engine cold.

 

[Chimaera500]

Hi PS1, It was me that had almost identical symptoms to yours (detailed in the link that Safrane posted above) All fixed now, but can confirm that it was the tangs that had failed. New clutch flywheel, bearing required. Your quote is pretty much on the money I'm afraid.

I have already spent an awful lot of money on my car so this bill wasn't a particularly welcome surprise. Neither was waiting for a recovery truck for 12 hours in a dodgy side road that I just about managed to roll into.
All said, I'm at least happy that another one of the potential big ticket bills is now behind me, and my car drives better than ever!

A painful expense when it comes out of the blue, but IMHO these cars are still a huge bargain when all is considered. Will soon be forgotten when its back on the road and better than ever!


(Notice that I'm still trying to make myself feel better here!

Matt
Automotive Man Maths (PhD)

 

[Chimaera500]

Thanks so much everyone that's really helpful and reassuring. Mark comes highly recommended so I'm just waiting for final quote. Apparently have leaky gaskets too although never have oil under car in garage but might be best to get it all sorted. On the off chance does anyone know what the funny vibration from the engine only on ignition is? I gather it's a problem with the 4200s and might be worth sorting that too! Only happens when engine cold.

Do you mean a rattle from the engine for a few seconds when the car starts after standing for a while? If yes, many have fixed this by replacing the following oil non return valve. Its not expensive and takes a couple of seconds to fit. Part number 14 in the link below.

Eurospares Login | New & Used Genuine Parts

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www.eurospares.co.uk

 

[conaero]

I assume:

Select first….cluck clunk….pause, clunk clunk…pause then you get second?

Confirmed spring tang collapse of the clutch cover I’m afraid

 

[safrane]

When mine was replaced I was surprised by how much better the new clutch was even on my 41% worn previous one.

 

[mjheathcote]

Mark is as straight and knowledgable as they come. It could well have an Hill Engineering release bearing, which don’t work very well, but most likely be a bad clutch. There was a bad batch about in 2014-16 IIRC. If Mark is fitting a new clutch, release bearing and spigot bearing and that’s inc vat then do it, he’s very capable.

So the Hill Engineering release bearing isn't a good idea?

 

[Spartacus]

Clunk Clunk . Collapsed spring tangs probably I'm afraid. The noise of your bank account emptying .

 

[conaero]

So the Hill Engineering release bearing isn't a good idea?

Actually, we did use them but now have reverted to OEM

 

[ps1]

Brilliant thank u everyone. Mark thinks the the leaking gaskets may have leaked oil at the back onto the clutch housing area which may have contributed too. Expense out of the blue but I decided not to sell the car when new baby arrived 7 months ago as I love her so much (car, but baby too of course!) so will persevere with the expense and hope it's not followed by others! Thanks again. P

 

[Boomerang_GT]

Mine is a GT not a CC. I just had my clutch changed doing approx. 56k on the first clutch (I know the manual clutches last longer than the CC). It cost me £3,600 inc. vat with our local indy up north, but that also included a new thrust bearing and annual service. Hope this helps!

Was the clutch slipping, or was it a broken release bearing?

 

[Vampyrebat]

Was the clutch slipping, or was it a broken release bearing?

It was the bearing making a loud friction type noise when the clutch was pressed. I was told it would be 'false economy' not to not replace the clutch at the same time! Can't say I felt the clutch slipping prior to this though...........Had to ask my father for a favour as I wasn't expecting that!

Ring Ring...........Ring Ring.............."Hi dad, just thought I'd call to see how you're doing.........Oh; BTW..."

 

[Boomerang_GT]

Thanks for your reply! I thought it was the release bearing. I have seen so many GT's with new clutch's at around 60k. km and it was always the bearing that failed but hey, once you are in there... Mine failed this year but since I did the job myself, I left the old clutch in and will hopefully see how long the clutch itself may last.

 

[Vampyrebat]

Thanks for your reply! I thought it was the release bearing. I have seen so many GT's with new clutch's at around 60k. km and it was always the bearing that failed but hey, once you are in there... Mine failed this year but since I did the job myself, I left the old clutch in and will hopefully see how long the clutch itself may last.

No worries! Mine was on 57k when they replaced it, and as I say, it still felt quite good although I could tell the difference on the way home.........Mmmmmm smell of fresh clutch all the way!

 

[ps1]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to close this with a massive thank you to everyone as always on the forum but an even bigger thank you and massive thumbs up for Mark Donovan at Prestige & Performance Car Service in Ebbsfleet. He went out of his way to keep me updated on the work he was doing and gave me a good idea of what to expect from a cost point of view from the outset. Obviously passionate and knowledgeable about Maseratis but far more importantly trustworthy and professional. When I went to pick the car up he kept her on the ramp to show me exactly what he'd done, and showed me all the pieces he'd taken down and exactly where the problem was which was the pressure plate- completely warped. Car now drives better than even when I picked her up for the first time which makes me think clutch was never set up properly. While there he changed the spark plugs, cam cover gaskets (which have been leaking for years), and the oil one way valve (so no more rattling on start up!). And Mark charged less than the original quote after all the work. Have been looking for someone to look after the car since moving to Kent and I've found him. Couldn't recommend him highly enough. Thanks again everyone and Happy Christmas and New Year!