Focus 1.8 TDCi

2009

36k Miles

When I release the clutch in 1st gear to set off I get a really strange squeal noise coming from god knows where, sometimes its longer, sometimes its a quiet squeal. Noticed its a lot louder when doing a hill start.

All the other gears are fine

Only other problem I have with the gears is that there really stiff on cold mornings, but think that's a cold/warm gearbox oil issue...

If it helps... This has only started since I hit a pothole, it was a large one which damaged my wheel/tyre but this might not be anything to do with it.

Any help would be great! Thanks...

I doubt it's anything to do with hitting the pothole. Check that it's not a drive belt slipping. This used to be a common problem on escorts, where the clutch would 'glaze' and give a short squeal like a slipping fan belt as you pulled away. Obviously your focus has a dual-mass flywheel so you wouldn't really expect that to happen. Generally speaking the answer is to not worry too much about it unless it gets worse.

I doubt it's anything to do with hitting the pothole. Check that it's not a drive belt slipping. This used to be a common problem on escorts, where the clutch would 'glaze' and give a short squeal like a slipping fan belt as you pulled away. Obviously your focus has a dual-mass flywheel so you wouldn't really expect that to happen. Generally speaking the answer is to not worry too much about it unless it gets worse.

I did think the drive belt at first but that's fine.

The noise has got worse, it only used to do it on hills but now its everytime I move off.

Tonight, I noticed a slight vibration on the clutch pedal when going from halfway to fully down plus if I move my gearstick left or right when in neutral i can feel a vibration through my hand :( Think i need a new clutch?

I did think the drive belt at first but that's fine.

The noise has got worse, it only used to do it on hills but now its everytime I move off.

Tonight, I noticed a slight vibration on the clutch pedal when going from halfway to fully down plus if I move my gearstick left or right when in neutral i can feel a vibration through my hand :( Think i need a new clutch?

And Flywheel :(

:(

How long would the current one last? Wouldn't damage anything else being like this would it?

Doubt it would at the moment,,, I believe when they are on there last legs they can destroy the started motor, as the dust from the clutch plate clogs up the starter eventually. Are you sure your not just imagining the vibration coz you think something is wrong? As 36k for a clutch doesn't really seem a lot of miles. Example, you say the drive belt is fine, how did you come to this conclusion ? As a slipping belt will cause a squeal, and this will worsen until whatever is causing the problem is rectified.

Doubt it would at the moment,,, I believe when they are on there last legs they can destroy the started motor, as the dust from the clutch plate clogs up the starter eventually. Are you sure your not just imagining the vibration coz you think something is wrong? As 36k for a clutch doesn't really seem a lot of miles. Example, you say the drive belt is fine, how did you come to this conclusion ? As a slipping belt will cause a squeal, and this will worsen until whatever is causing the problem is rectified.

True, i just swapped my 305 000km driven engine off, and changed the clutch... Yeah, it was worn out, but not as worn as you would think, so i realy dont think that clutch would be goner on that low mileage.

I would go under the car and take a look for the torque rod. Driving on the pothole might have damaged it, so now when you take off, the torque twistst the engine, and the rubber engine mounts, causing the squeel... that would also cause some vibration, and they are easy to check. :)

Doubt it would at the moment,,, I believe when they are on there last legs they can destroy the started motor, as the dust from the clutch plate clogs up the starter eventually. Are you sure your not just imagining the vibration coz you think something is wrong? As 36k for a clutch doesn't really seem a lot of miles. Example, you say the drive belt is fine, how did you come to this conclusion ? As a slipping belt will cause a squeal, and this will worsen until whatever is causing the problem is rectified.

Had the belt changed about 2 months ago. Had a mechanic listen to the noise today, wasn't sure what it was but mentioned the release bearing...

True, i just swapped my 305 000km driven engine off, and changed the clutch... Yeah, it was worn out, but not as worn as you would think, so i realy dont think that clutch would be goner on that low mileage.

I would go under the car and take a look for the torque rod. Driving on the pothole might have damaged it, so now when you take off, the torque twistst the engine, and the rubber engine mounts, causing the squeel... that would also cause some vibration, and they are easy to check. :)

Will check this out! :)

I used the belt as an example as such,, even with a new belt, if say the tensioner wasn't doing its job, then this would cause a squeel as the belt would slip. Hope it doesn't turn out to be your clutch though, good luck.