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Our Ford Focus was diagnosed with a slipping clutch, so why won't the Ford warranty cover it?
Whilst climbing a moderate gradient in a queue with a driver and four passengers in our Ford Focus, suddenly a horrible gassy smell filled the car. The smell remained for the next two weeks. We are the second owners but the car is still just in warranty (47,000 miles, 57 reg) so we pursued the matter as a warranty claim.
The garage investigated and reported that the clutch must have slipped and was the source of the smell. The clutch did not slip and still does not. They also reported that in order to investigate further they would need to take the gearbox off. We agreed to this, and once stripped they phoned to say that the clutch was in good condition and we could pay £430 to have it reassembled or £650 for a new clutch. We fail to understand why the clutch could smell so badly when it was in good condition - we did visit to check for ourselves.
The vehicle is fitted with a dual mass flywheel, so we asked for this to be checked and were advised that this was fine. The Ford warranty seems to mean nothing. Should we complain?
The garage investigated and reported that the clutch must have slipped and was the source of the smell. The clutch did not slip and still does not. They also reported that in order to investigate further they would need to take the gearbox off. We agreed to this, and once stripped they phoned to say that the clutch was in good condition and we could pay £430 to have it reassembled or £650 for a new clutch. We fail to understand why the clutch could smell so badly when it was in good condition - we did visit to check for ourselves.
The vehicle is fitted with a dual mass flywheel, so we asked for this to be checked and were advised that this was fine. The Ford warranty seems to mean nothing. Should we complain?
Asked on 9 September 2010 by DaveandNick
Answered by
Honest John
Clutches are not covered by warranty for the simple reason that they can be damaged by driver abuse. I wonder if the smell was from the catalytic converter.
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