Will a Dry Dual Clutch Rusting from Water Ingress Cause Damage if Left Unrepaired?
2 Answers
Leaving a dry dual clutch rusting from water ingress unrepaired will cause damage, directly leading to failure and necessitating replacement. Introduction to Dry Dual Clutch: A dry dual clutch transmits torque through friction plates on the driven disc of the clutch. By eliminating related hydraulic systems and leveraging the inherent high torque transmission efficiency of dry clutches, it significantly improves fuel economy compared to wet clutches, which consume more energy during gearshift slippage. Advantages of Dry Dual Clutch: Dry dual clutches are widely used in small-displacement vehicles due to their strong practicality. Dual-clutch transmissions (DCT) are currently popular for their rapid gearshift speeds. The clutch exhibits high transmission efficiency, as its friction plates are not immersed in transmission fluid, enabling faster shifts than wet DCTs. It prevents engine torque loss and provides relatively stable system protection. Its simpler structure also results in lower usage and maintenance costs.
Last time my friend's car had a dry dual-clutch that rusted after wading through water without being treated, and now it shifts with a loud clanking sound like a tractor. The rusted clutch plates would stick together, and the car wouldn't move even in D gear. The worst part was the release bearing rusting solid—stepping on the gas would just make the engine roar without moving, and suddenly stalling on the highway is no joke. The mechanic opened it up and found metal shavings had fallen into the oil pan, so in the end, the entire clutch assembly had to be replaced at his own expense. If you ask me, a waterlogged dual-clutch is like a water-damaged phone—even if it seems fine at the time, you need to open it up and dry it immediately, or the rust will spread like cancer to the shift forks and pressure plate.
