Just wandering does anyone else get a squeak from there clutch when they change gear in a 1.4 340 or pull away from junctions? I have been told its design fault with the 1.4 engine and you get same thing with 1.4 fiestas. I know its not the clutch but I've been told its something called the clutch spigot bearing but its done it in everyday in all 8 years of owning the car even after getting the clutch changed 5 years ago? I was told the only way to fix the problem was to remove engine and replace the bearing or just put up with it which I have for the past 8 years.

well matey .... my 1.4 doesent do if its been doing it all this time i wouldent worry about

its nothing to do with the clutch in these cars. its a sign that the propshaft is on its way out. basically the shaft works by having the outer metal clamping a rubber 'bit' onto the metal inner that attatches to the gearbox or clutch. over time the clamp wears off a bit (either due to the rubber wearing or the metal getting weaker or something), and starts to slip. innitially it will happen just as you pull off, but eventually it will happen whenever you use full power when driving along. i'd estimate you can do 30-40k with it starting to squeak, depending on driving style, but you probably dont know how long its been doing it.. replacement shafts are reasonably cheap (£20 or so 2nd hand), and you can replace them yourself - its more awkward than difficult.

Thanks for that. Mind you the car was on 150K before the clock stoped two years ago so dont know how many more are on clock and has had the squeak all the 8 years i've owned it.

My car has started to do this. It happened about 2 months after I started driving it (so about 4 months ago). Looks like it'll be a long time before it needs attention if yours is anything to go by.

Tom wrote:Looks like it'll be a long time before it needs attention if yours is anything to go by.

Well... Kar's done it for 4ish years, and over 40k..... And it seems to get better/worse in stints of a few months. Will sort it soon...maybe And We've got Ruperts tip for getting us home if it ever does go.