I think clutch, mechanic says misfire...

[1gSE]

That has to be a clutch slip

x 2

[Sentinel]

X3

[Andrew]

See, that's what I was thinking. But the engine will die if I'm at a standstill and try to move in fifth gear -- the classic clutch test.

[Midias]

It is the clutch check the fluid and the lines then when that is all good but a new one and have it put in.

[Andrew]

Fluid check is simple, right? Park on flat ground, crawl under, unscrew cap, make sure the fluid is level with the opening.

At least, I think that's it.

Any other checks I can do before I bring it to the tranny shop?

[Midias]

Fluid check is simple, right? Park on flat ground, crawl under, unscrew cap, make sure the fluid is level with the opening.

At least, I think that's it.

Any other checks I can do before I bring it to the tranny shop?

no open hood and look in clutch master cylinder.

[(K)]

Honestly, if there's no real driveability issue, it most definitely is the clutch.

Might not even be the clutch itself, might just be bad hydraulics. Top off your fluids and bleed the sucker as suggested, then top it off again.

The previous owner might have been beasting on the car and never did any maintenance to the clutch. Before spending any real money, do some DIY maintenance on it and go from there, it wouldn't do any harm.

If all the possibilities are eliminated, then it's time to bring it to a real mechanic...not Meinike (sp?).

[Andrew]

I'm the original owner.

I must have missed the post about bleeding the system.

I'm guessing I can find the clutch master cylinder using my Haynes manual, but how do I bleed the system? Any pointers or suggestions would be great!

[mazen222]

I'm going to try the "Try to start in fifth with your foot on the brake" trick today.

umm.. i dont know if your joking or not but in case you're not, i dont suggest doing that... my friend tried that once with his golf and there was wiered burning smell after that for an hour or so...

[crispone]

I'm going to try the "Try to start in fifth with your foot on the brake" trick today.

umm.. i dont know if your joking or not but in case you're not, i dont suggest doing that... my friend tried that once with his golf and there was wiered burning smell after that for an hour or so...

^^^ BWAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHhhhhh ha ha ha ha!!!!



Andrew, sounds like your clutch, for SURE!

The question is, WHY is the clutch slipping?

Keep in mind, the "shop" you went to may have noticed a leaking cylinder, low fluid, need for bleed, or some FLUID in the clutch, and a something as simple as BRAKE CLEANER spray will "clear" the residue that is allowing the slip...

...but your posts sound more like a classic, mechanical slip related to "low clamp" (bleed/fluid, etc...), glazed, or otherwise worn clutch.


G/L with that. Don't get "had" by this shop... try a SECOND OPINION from another shop, before you do ANYTHING!


-crisp

[Andrew]

I just did a quick check of the clutch fluid. The level is A-OK and (after cleaning the cap) I looked in and the fluid isn't cloudy and doesn't have particles in it.

So I'm thinking it's not a fluid problem.

Crisp: Where would I spray brake cleaner if I thought something was dirty? Or is there something else I can try that's simple and cheap before I bring it in?

<b>Thanks, everyone -- you've all been a great help!</b>

[crispone]

I just did a quick check of the clutch fluid. The level is A-OK and (after cleaning the cap) I looked in and the fluid isn't cloudy and doesn't have particles in it.

So I'm thinking it's not a fluid problem.

Crisp: Where would I spray brake cleaner if I thought something was dirty? Or is there something else I can try that's simple and cheap before I bring it in?

<b>Thanks, everyone -- you've all been a great help!</b>

On these models, I have no first hand experience. The potential is a "global" one, relative factor analysis logic. Unless these cars are prone to such a "fluid leak", or yours has a unique contamination, it is not a "likely" cause, but a potential scenario, as clutches go...

In the case of my supras, there was a "window" into the bell housing that could be opened to access the shift fork, which requires removal before the tranny can be split from the engine, when doing a clutch-job. Both the MKII and MKIII are this way. I had leakage in there on a pressure plate once, but it happened while doing the clutch job, and I sprayed it off through that window. (I don't recommend it, can be messy.)

If it WERE some fluid or contamination (other than mechanical wear or glaze) then it SHOULD simply "burn off" after slipping awhile, unless the leak were constant.

I know that doesn't help, but I might look in my manual and see if there is any merit to this consideration. (I think worn or glazed clutch/plate or combination of both, is most likely.)

-crisp

[CamryOnBronze]

I would say clutch as well... the same thing happened after i installed my supercharger. I could bang through the gears and they would all rev to about 5k, but I wasnt going anywhere... same thing would happen if i floored it in 5th too. The clutch was very new, but wasnt an oem clutch- so it couldnt hold the torque wioth the supercharger installed.

[Andrew]

All right -- thanks everyone! Next stop: tranny shop. Then the doctor after I hyperventilate over the estimate.

I <i>knew</i> it couldn't be the ignition!