Clutch/Pressure Plate/Throwout bearing cleaning

Hey guys,

Got a slipping clutch in sometimes 4th and especially in 5th gear. After tons of reading I decided to get under the car to take a first look before ordering a new clutch.

After removing the plastic plate I found a oil drip at the inspection hole:


Attachment 81365


The little plug also was very suspecious to me


Attachment 81369

But as I got in with a screw driver to unplug it the thing showed it's true face


Attachment 81370


Tried to get a picture of the inside, somewhere under that lump of oil-dirt-mix there should be my throwout bearing I guess. As far as I know inside the bell housing everything should be dry right?


Attachment 81372


Is it possible that the leaking rocker gasket can cause this by running down the engine onto/into the bellhousing somewhere? Or do you think it is the gasket inside that bellhousing to the gearbox? If it would be the one of inside the bellhouse it might look worse, doesn't it? Do you think the chances are good that the friction plate is still fine as well as the pressure plate and the slipping is caused by all that oil?

Any recommendations for a temporary cleaning? First hit by myself would be brake cleaner, but from work I know that brake cleaner isn't the most effective thing against oil but I don't know any other cleaner that evaporates.

In the end I know that I won't get past the job to get the gearbox out, but at least for the next 2 months I would like to drive it until I put it into hibernate and start the project gearbox next year in April/May

Last but not least: Have some bread, original from Japan and a bit crunchy.


Attachment 81368

If your rocker cover gasket is leaking ,fix it and monitor the situation.
Drive easy and it may last the next two months.
If it's going off the road in two months I wouldn't try cleaning it as it may cause a failure sooner

Yum, nice bread!

Ok, thank you. Will do so then and see what happens.. I was also wondering why everybody used jacks for the engine when changing the clutch. Why not an engine support bar?
@elnevio Want it? I forgot to remove it, so it's still there :P

Most people only do a clutch once ,so probably
Wouldn't make sense to buy one.
We're as a jack will be used many times

I always use a support bar.

The clutch shouldn't have any evidence of oil and this will very likely be why its slipping. With the amount visible in the pucture, I think the gearbox seal maybe failing. :happy:

Thanks for your reply TAR, from ASA I think it should be MB936826 that you are talking about? Sorry for the late reply.

Regarding the support bars: I was looking into a cheap 50 Eur one but also found bars up to 600+. The cheap one holds up to 500kg and has 4.5 stars on amazon. Should work out, shouldn't it?

For what your using it for and where you will
be positioned while using it make sure it's a recognised brand

500Kg is fine for supporting the engine. :happy: