Is there any way to check the clutch...

[pyoorkate]

...without removing the engine?

I'm getting a sound, which while not a metallic screech certainly isn't a delightful sound, which rises with engine revs (in neutral), but if you let the engine drop to idle it drops in pitch and then turns to a sort of swtch-swtch noise, which in turn slows lower and lower until it stops. I'm presuming clutch related, on the basis it's coming from that general area and slows down then stops when the clutch disengages*.

Obviously, given absence of garage** and the fact my partner's been out for her first drive in it (having got her provisional licence); I'd liked to get it sorted quickly; but as far as I can tell, this will involve removing the engine, which isn't that quicker or warmer job.

So, oh those of DAF Encyclopaedic knowledge - does it sound clutchy? And is there any cunning way of checking the condition of the clutch pad-thingies without taking the engine out? If it is clutchy (or sounds clutchy) - how long should I budget to get that engine out (by myself, with no crane )

And I'm presuming having disassembled that much of the car I may as well change the clutch pad-plate-thingies anyway having got there?



* There's no judder though when it picks up, there are no convenient hills to check if it's slipping anyway...
** I am never buying a house without a garage again.

Cheers m'dears

[daf44]

hi kate.

my 44 was laid up for quite a while before i got it and for the first few weeks i had 2 noises that would match the one you are describing.
neither one of them was the clutch...

the first was the fan belt breaking up. a thread from the belt was hitting the fan cover everytime the belt went round.
loud ticking noise getting faster with revs going up to a loud swishing noise then a loud whine/whistle at high revs. cured by new fan belt.

the second was a twig caught in the fan itself. something had tried to buil a nest there at some point. same sort of noise but much harsher. cured by good clean out.

if the noise continues after the clutch has acually engaged then it is probably not the shoes but it could just be a dry bearing on the propshaft. there is a grease nipple on the back end of the bellhousing on my car where the propshaft comes in to the clutch.
grease or oil every moving part you can see.

if you need to take the engine out on a 44 the hardest part is removing the bonnet and front grille. trust me on this. the engine itself is quite easy after that and can be done in a few hours.

clean/oil/grease everything first. it may well cure the noise.
i would recommend checking the clutch at some point though. it probably has not been looked at in twenty years or more.

good luck.
let us know if it works.

paul44

[Bob Scrivens]

Hi kate
It sounds like a clutch idler bearing in the engine or the bearings in the clutch housing, not a problem at the moment, but will need attention when you take the engine out.
If the clutch shoes are worn the take up of the clutch can be a bit harsh and noisey until it has locked up.
Hope the above helps.

Regards Bob.

[pyoorkate]

Cool.

Right, I shall have a peer for the minute, well, maybe on Thursday. Service the car (on Thursday, assuming a degree of dryness), change the fan belt, grease every grease nipple I can lay my hands on, readjust the handbrake and see if I can get any more of an idea what's making the noise (or ideally, make it go away).

The take-up's not harsh, but the noise doesn't persist once drive's engaged... It only follows revs in neutral. So, we'll see how we go

[pyoorkate]

Well... having sat for 2 days I started it today (for various reasons the service has been moved back to (not this but) next weekend - which means I can actually get bits before I service 'er).

She's now making a noise I'd loosely describe as hideous when the engine's rev'd and returns to idle. So I think the service and thorough nose around is required. On which topic - it says in my DAF manual not to bother adjusting the valve clearances... I (coming from my every 3000 miles regular as clockwork minoring) kind of feel like I should. Should I?

And anyone know any equivalent parts I might be able to order from somewhere (fan belts, points, that kind of m'larkey)? I recall that there was a .nl website where I got bits from but 've lost the link in the rounds of upgrading that've gone on around here. One which, iirc also had clutch-shoe-thingies, should I need to replace them (although I'm tempted to just say 'to hell with it' and do the whole lot, assuming the weather's even remotely favourable.

[spunkymonkey]

Kate,

On the subject of valve clearances I'd personally go with your gut feeling and check them - at least on the first 2 or 3 services you do. Unless they need adjusting it's only a matter of one bolt for each rocker cover and slip a couple of feelers in to check. If you find that they're not changing significantly (and they probably wont!) then you know you can safely relax a little and do them every 2nd or 3rd service.

As for parts, the only ones I know so far are the brake bits I just ordered but I'm thinking of compiling a compatability list so any that others know of would be appreciated!

Joe

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

With regards to ordering routine parts such as points etc., I've always bought mine from us. I.e. the owners club! (Details on the main website or email dafownersclub (at) bolsover (dot)co (dot)uk

The Dutch site you are thinking of is www.dafhobby.nl and they do offer a swift service.

[starider]

Hi Kate, have read all the comments on your noisey engine.If the clutch segments have worn to a noisey condition, the noise would disappear once the worn segments have engaged onto the drum, so if the noise continues at higher revs I would not suspect the clutch.Someone mentioned the clutch drum/flywheel bearing,these have always been problematic usually spinning either in the flywheel or the drum shaft spinning in the bearing,Daf Servicing advised assembling both the drum shaft/bearing and flywheel/bearing with Loc-tite or similar.The noise produced with this fault also tended to disappear as revs increased,this applies to the flywheel bearing only, as once the clutch has engaged this bearing no longer turns, so any bearing noise which continues after clutch take up would point to the rear clutch housing bearing .You say the noise eventually disappears when the engine revs drop so it does indicate a transmission problem.Other noise problems can be:- continuous and increasing noise can, be as already mentioned a slipping/loose generator belt,but can be generator bearings[both these can be eliminated by loosening the gen. belt totally so that neither turns,then run the engine].Check that the cam in the distributor that operates the points is lubricated, this can produce a loud noise if dry.Check for exhaust and vacuum leaks.Finally make sure the prop shaft slides back and forth against the spring on its splines, if not, free off and apply a very light film of high melting point grease to the splines on the clutch shaft and primary unit imput shaft[NB a light smear of grease and don't get any grease on the rubber prop shaft inserts].It's late at night so cann't think of any other things to look at!! PS Don't think you will find any grease nipples on you Daf.Any found on Daf's have been added after sales,pattern track rod ends may have nipples.Hope this helps. starider.