2015 VW TDI Clutch replacement

[Pherder01]

Just replaced the dual mass flywheel, pressure plate, clutch and rear main seal on a 2015 VW Jetta TDI. The gear box and engine mated and closed up without any force. When disengaging the clutch and the gear box wants to grab with the clutch the engine bogs down, stalls and dies. I've removed the starter and the clutch is pushing on the pressure plate. My thought is that the clutch is not aligned with the flywheel and is causing this. Any thoughts? How can I confirm alignment between the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel is made without separating the gearbox from the engine again? Can it be done?

 

[NSDON]

Maybe you need to bleed your clutch- it is not fully disengaged with the clutch pedal fully down?
My slave cylinder died once, the clutch pedal stayed on the floor. I could start the car in first gear, then I had to speed shift it without being able to disengage the clutch via the pedal.

 

[DrPeter]

Hi there,

NSDON maybe on to something here, did you replace the Clutch release bearing/hydraulic actuator assembly?

It is a good idea to replace it when replacing the clutch, dual mass fly wheel, etc...

I call it the might as well....


Hope this helps,

drpeter

 

[Pherder01]

Yes, I replaced the hydraulic actuator assembly too. Used the same (LUK) as what was removed. All bolts torqued to spec. Also did the rear main seal. if you do this, be careful to pay attention to the engine timing too.

 

[stefdds]

I seem to recall a couple of caveats when I did my clutch change (same system, different vehicle, Audi).

I believe that pressure plate is a (SAC), self adjusting clutch ; if you , inadvertently, trigger that mechanism, the pressure plate will be at full adjustment , that is, as if there is a worn out clutch disk.

Perhaps that PP was tripped during shipping / handling or never set from the factory?

During the set up of that assembly, you need to slowly "walk down" the PP (evenly) to the DMF assembly. See YT videos and SAC's.

That's about the only problem I could think of.

 

[Pherder01]

Thank you all!

The new clutch plate must have been a little too "sticky" and maybe I was a little too paranoid. The gearbox was rotated with the driveshafts in neutral and then the gearbox, engine and driveshaft rotated by turning the crankshaft from the front of the engine. After this and not hearing any noises, I put the wheels on and shuffled it back and forth. After that it seemed like it wanted to go.

Although, I have done a few clutches in the past. This clutch was the most difficult in the fact that the subframe for the front end had to be removed and the gearbox has a weird center of gravity that makes it rotate a weird way.

Note that I do not have a lift and this was removed and replaced on the floor with a creeper and hydraulic jack. While I was in there the rear main seal was changed.