Hi All

Please forgive any mistakes I make, as I'm new here!

I have a 2012 Focus Zetec S 1.6 TDCi in Manual, 29000 miles, and I have noticed that very occasionally I get a whine in first gear when holding the clutch at biting point.

I have only ever noticed this happen on an uphill or slightly uphill slope, and it's only been recent; the last 6 months or so.

The clutch biting point is quite high, so I think it is worn, but it is not slipping. None of the gears grind - occasionally it won't go into first and I have to pump the clutch once and it goes straight in afterwards.

Could anybody shed some light on what it could possibly be? Or perhaps guide me through some more confirmatory tests at all?

Don't want to book it into a garage for a full clutch/cylinder/flywheel replacement and find that isn't the problem!

Thank you for your advice in advance, it is much appreciated.

Kay.

This used to be a common problem on escorts back in the day. Often it would be worse when cold. When you are holding the car on the clutch you are actually slipping the clutch . The noise is the friction between the disc/pressure plate/flywheel surfaces. Normally the noises are at a higher frequency than you can hear, but sometimes they just come into an audible range. The centre plate surface tends to glaze slightly which creates the noise. Try and avoid holding the car on the clutch if possible. Changing the clutch would cure it, but would be an uneccessary expense. Changing your driving style would be less expensive! Hopefully you've got a lot more mileage left in the clutch yet, 29k would be very lo to change the clutch.

Thank you for your advice Clutchman!

If it wasn't my driving style and I described these issues to you (minus holding the car with the clutch!), would you say it would most likely be a clutch replacement needed or could other things be affected?

although often annoying, the squeal as you let out the clutch is harmless