Flywheel hit TDC sensor

[DS197]

So this is a strange one, set off from a set of lights and changed up into 2nd gear at around 7000 rpm. As soon as I put the clutch down the car cut out and wouldn't start again. Fast forward to today and it turns out the TDC sensor was hit by the flywheel.

Is there any reason why this may occur? I'm guessing debris made its way into the bellhousing or a piece of friction material from the clutch caused the flywheel to make contact with the sensor? Does anyone have any other ideas as to why it happened?

Luckily I wasn't on the motorway or dual carriage way when it happened but I'd hate to think what would have happened if I was. I'll most likely be going to a garage and getting them to put a probe through the sensor hole to see if they can find anything. Pic below of the sensor:

 

[Northloopcup]

So this is a strange one, set off from a set of lights and changed up into 2nd gear at around 7000 rpm. As soon as I put the clutch down the car cut out and wouldn't start again. Fast forward to today and it turns out the TDC sensor was hit by the flywheel.

Is there any reason why the may occur? I'm guessing debris made it's way into the bellhousing or a piece of friction material from the clutch which caused the flywheel to make contact with the sensor? Does anyone have any other ideas as to why it happened?

Luckily I wasn't on the motorway or dual carriage way when it happened but I'd hate to think what would have happened if I was. I'll most likely be going to a garage and getting them to put a probe through the sensor hole to see if they can find anything. Pic below of the sensor:

Knuckles over on cs had the exact same problem with his at oulton park!

 

[DS197]

Knuckles over on cs had the exact same problem with his at oulton park!

I remember reading about it on his project thread! The renault technician that replaced it yesterday said he'd never seen anything like it in the 23 years he has been working on Renaults.

 

[Big Ben]

I remember reading about it on his project thread! The renault technician that replaced it yesterday said he'd never seen anything like it in the 23 years he has been working on Renaults.

Amazing incident Davinder. These cars never cease to amaze me in all types of ways! Glad you got it sorted

 

[DS197]

Amazing incident Davinder. These cars never cease to amaze me in all types of ways! Glad you got it sorted

They don't have an easy life (mine certainly doesn't ) so these things are to be expected I suppose. I was very lucky that the mobile mechanic who came around had a spare one as he said he would never normally have one for the 197 in his van, only for the MK2 Clios and Meganes.

 

[Legend@wheels]

Glad it was sorted easy and cheap.
Interesting how the flywheel looks now(which part has broken)

 

[Big Ben]

They don't have an easy life (mine certainly doesn't ) so these things are to be expected I suppose. I was very lucky that the mobile mechanic who came around had a spare one as he said he would never normally have one for the 197 in his van, only for the MK2 Clios and Meganes.

That was a real stroke of luck mate

 

[Northloopcup]

I remember reading about it on his project thread! The renault technician that replaced it yesterday said he'd never seen anything like it in the 23 years he has been working on Renaults.

Well I think it's safe to say it's a freak occurrence mate. If the flywheel had that much movement on it, the bottom end would be knocking like Woody woodpecker, and you'd have a mammoth oil leak from the rear main! Lol!!

 

[faz]

I'd have it checked out.. this happened to my sensor (not as bad as yours). long story short had to have a new clutch fitted because part of the clutch broke off and took out the clutch slave cylinder. garage showed me pictures of where it scored the housing along with the broken clutch......

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[DS197]

I'd have it checked out.. this happened to my sensor (not as bad as yours). long story short had to have a new clutch fitted because part of the clutch broke off and took out the clutch slave cylinder. garage showed me pictures of where it scored the housing along with the broken clutch......

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Many thanks for your input mate. Was your clutch near the end of it's life by any chance? I realise that clutch wear wouldn't have anything to do with it but just curious. I'm going to be phoning up garages tomorrow as my local specialist is fully booked until the 19th and I don't want to wait that long. I'll see if the local garage I use for services have a borescope.

 

[faz]

The clutch was fine.. it was the slave cylinder that was taken out by the broken part... pedal to the floor and dumped the fluid... just for a piece of mind I'd have it checked out. Not that I'm saying the same is going to happen to yours just a head's up....

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[DS197]

Just in case anyone stumbles across this thread with the same problem, it turns out parts of the outer pressure plate had partially broken away from one end whilst the other ends were still attached to the pressure plate. The engine spinning at 7000 rpm was what brought this broken piece out far enough to where it made contact with the TDC sensor. The garage have seen 2/3 cases where the same thing has happened, could possibly be a quality control issue.