clutch problem?

[quiksc2]

Okay, my clutch has slowly been going out. I can't drop it at 4000 rpms without it slipping, no biggy. Slowly getting a bit worse. Then, today I was driving on the freeway. Cruising at 70 miles an hour, then I went to pass someone, hit the gas. The RPMs shot up, almost hit the rev limiter, and I stayed at 70! Didn't even speed up at all. Seems like a slipping clutch, but even when I would just give it just a little gas it would do the same thing. And, I hadn't had the clutch pushed in for like ten minutes. I would just be driving along, feathering the gas, and the RPMs would just shoot up. I talked to a few friends that I always work on cars with, thinking it was the clutch, but they're stumped.

[DIYguy]

That is a good one.

If you can get the car up to 70 to begin with, presumably your clutch must be doing something right.

But if that is the case, how can it then slip that much when you are only feathering the gas?

???????????? I'll ask a car guru or two I know at work tomorrow to see if they can think of something.

[quiksc2]

Originally Posted by DIYguy

That is a good one.

If you can get the car up to 70 to begin with, presumably your clutch must be doing something right.

But if that is the case, how can it then slip that much when you are only feathering the gas?

???????????? I'll ask a car guru or two I know at work tomorrow to see if they can think of something.

Ya, freakin weird. Thanks.

[quiksc2]

My girlfriend wanted me to post that she thinks it's the tranny, because I think it isn't, and she wants to prove me wrong. Haha.

[kevo420]

I had the exact same problem with my car... It was the clutch

RPMS shooting up when passing at highway speeds (5th gear) was the first sign for me, then all of a sudden it didn't happen for a few days. 3 days later started happening again, then as the night went on it started doing it in all gears.

Replaced the clutch, no more slipping.

[rc1488]

Vitals please!!!

if in 5th gear, you hit the gas and the rpms surge with out a linear surge in speed---->bad clutch/pressure plate.

Try a creep test. With the clutch in (pedal pressed to the floor) on level ground in gear hit the gas to a steady RPM. Car should NOT move foward.

Also, check your tranny fluid and the are under your tranny. Ive seen it where the differential pin blows and the linear relationship of rpm vs speed changes. Only once tho but hey it can happen.

Overall---im leaning towards clutch/pressure plate.

[quiksc2]

I'll try the creep test, but I'm sure it will stay still. It does it in all gears. I was playing around with it when I got off the freeway. Gah, I don't wanna do my clutch. My truck isn't drivable yet, I need a vehicle.

[fujioko]

This is more of a math problem when you think about it. When you increase the vehicle speed, you use more horsepower.

The formula is somewhat complicated but it takes a lot of HP to propel a car once you exceed 40 mph.

You must factor in wind resistance when you go past the 40 mph mark. The resistance increases in a non linier manner and absorbs a lot of power.

Your clutch is not strong enough to maintain full engagement when the engine is developing 80% of its full rated power.

[BarnOwl]

It's the clutch. Once you feel them start to slip you are living on borrowed. Sooner or later usually sooner, the lining on the clutch disk will fly apart and that's what happened to you. When you get in there, you'll be pulling pieces of the clutch disk out of the starter and everything else in the bell housing.

[DIYguy]

As promised, I asked a couple of guys at work who are motor heads and in one case, an occasional weekend racer.

After scratching for a while, one said that the pressure plate was possibly loose or weak or that the clutch was "just shot". The other said that probably the clutch is bald, oily or worn too smooth to grip under heavy load and that the pressure plate and flywheel could be badly glazed...etc.

Either way it is likely that you need to take a look at the clutch and pressure plate. But then I see that you already have heard the same from others on this thread.

I hope this helps.

[quiksc2]

Thanks everyone, I figured as much. I was planning on going with the Fidenza fly wheel when I replaced my clutch, but money has set me back on that stuff for a few years now. I guess I at least need to do my clutch, and if the fly wheel is messed up, go ahead and get the Fidenza...

[BarnOwl]

Originally Posted by quiksc2

Thanks everyone, I figured as much. I was planning on going with the Fidenza fly wheel when I replaced my clutch, but money has set me back on that stuff for a few years now. I guess I at least need to do my clutch, and if the fly wheel is messed up, go ahead and get the Fidenza...

You should be able to get the flywheel resurfaced for around $50 at a machine shop. Probably cheaper than a new one.

[quiksc2]

Originally Posted by BarnOwl

You should be able to get the flywheel resurfaced for around $50 at a machine shop. Probably cheaper than a new one.

The Fidenza is a lightweight flywheel, I was planning on upgrading when I did the clutch, when I had the money farther down the road. I also wanted to do the engine and tranny mounts, and weld the diff pin collar... or, if I was rich, get the LSD.

[quiksc2]

I know the OEM clutch is good for 200hp, but if I can find an ACT performance clutch for cheaper (sometimes things just work out weird like that) I would go for it. Where can I find the cheapest price? I would prefer an actual store so I could get it faster. Also, what would I need? Clutch, the alignment tool, throwout bearing, what else?

How long has it taken those that did it for the first time? I have a shop with engine hoist, and car lift. We have changed out clutches in RWD cars fairly quickly. I have a few friends that are gonna help me, if their schedules allow it within reasonable time, this is my only vehicle.

Trying to weigh my options, how much would it cost to have a shop do it?

[BarnOwl]

I could probably do it in about 6 hours now but, I've done it before along with a couple transmission swaps. Figure about 14 hours for a first attempt. You'll need a clutch kit that includes the clutch disk, the pressure plate, the throw out bearing and the alignment tool. Anything called a clutch kit should have all that. Be sure and block the clutch pedal up before you start or you'll need hydraulics too.

If you call around, you might be able to get it done for around $650.

[DIYguy]

My clutch kit was supposed to include an alignment tool, but for whatever reason didn't. I did not have the time to send the kit back or order a tool and none of the parts stores in the area carried them (I guess Saturns are considered exotic!), so I made a really simple cheezy one. It worked perfectly.

If your kit fails to include one, I can post photos and dimensions.

[quiksc2]

$650 including clutch? Might be worth it. I figured with how long it would take, it would be over a grand.

[BarnOwl]

Originally Posted by quiksc2

$650 including clutch? Might be worth it. I figured with how long it would take, it would be over a grand.

I paid to have one done a few years ago before I decided to start doing them myself. I had to call around but, I did get it done for $650 including the clutch at an independent transmission place.