My 08 TT starter got sticky (manual gearbox, 20Kmile). I pulled it and noticed the gear, inside part of flange and shaft were coated with SCARY black dust!

Stuck my finger in the bell housing and they came out coated with the same sticky flat black dust. Freaked me out because it looks like exhaust soot but it's doesn't seem greasy.

Do you guys know if this is normal? Is that simply black clutch dust?

OTOH: Is there a possible malfunction in some emissions control part causing exhaust soot to accumulate inside the clutch bellhousing?!

Thanks for your help. I'd be relieved to find out the black dust is normal not some massive problem brewing with my clutch



BTW, FWIW, starter commutator looked a little burnt up (which might have been the problem) so I polished it back up in a drill press ("lathe"), cleaned, lubed, reinstalled. Must have been the fouled commutator (or lube) because no more moody starter. BTW, not the clutch pedal switch, I ruled that out first.

 

What clutch are you running? Flywheel?

 

Yeah, flywheel (starter gear teeth) rear axle, I'm sure it's a stock factory clutch assembly... .

 

My diagnosis is that it's clutch dust, combined with a potential small leak of oil (I think sweat will be a better word). When you took out the starter did you check to make sure that it moves freely with no signs of wear? If so, I would say it's the clutch.

 

Thanks 512. Starter mechanism looked good no metal flakes, score marks, looseness whatever (but I'm no expert). I'm hoping you're right. I've never seen totally black clutch dust. Always the dark tan/brown (like brake dust) has been my limited experience.

 

Is there a such thing as soot-black brake pad dust?

Does anybody have black brake pads/dust or know of them?

I'm thinking the same black compounds might be used for my clutch plate.

Again, I'm talking dust which is black as carbon soot.

Thanks in advance.

 

On the one hand I'm anxious to get an answer to my question.

OTOH, , I'm glad nobody here has ever seen their clutch to make a determination of the color of it's dust. It must mean repairs are rare.