My clutch startin' to slip?

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Wed Sep 19, 2001 8:56 pm

Lately I've noticed my car doesn't seem to have the get-up it used to which lead me to think that clutch is startin' to slip on me. I've never felt anything like it before so I can't compare it to anything and my dad hasn't had the chance to take it out (he would know) to see if what I'm thinkin' is right.

It just seems like the engine is revvin' higher and not going as fast as I used to. It still seems to grab fine but when you punch it it doesn't just go like it used to--it's hard to explain. I'm sure I've given it hell learning on it so I wouldn't doubt if it was it. But couple questions:

1) Is there any sure-fire test I can do to pinpoint that it is in fact slipping?

2) My car has a hydraulic clutch. Are these more difficult to replace than others? Is it something somebody with knowledge on replacing "mechanical" clutches could do?

3) How much would another clutch, pressure-plate, throw-out bearing (what else is there) cost?

4) Are we talkin' big bucks here? Or does it just depend on what all I need or how good of a clutch I get?

I've only mentioned it to my dad and was curious what you guys thought. For those that don't know and need to know, it's an '82 Supra. Thanks.

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Wed Sep 19, 2001 9:03 pm

Does it ever chatter? You'll clearly hear the engine going up and down in revs QUICKLY......best heard throguh the tailpipe.
Also, when you punch it, does the car kinda like "launch" then "slip", then pick up again?
When it starts to feel like it "slips" thats when the clutch is slipping and the engine revvs higher.
It migth also make a slight vibration.......

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Thu Sep 20, 2001 10:32 pm

No, never noticed any chatter. No revvin' up and down quickly. When I launch, it doesn't seem to go, then slip, then pick up again. It just doesn't seem to have the punch it used to. I know the throw-out bearing is bad cause when you disengage the clutch (push it to the floor) you can hear a whiny type noise.

Another thing bad on the car are the rear brakes (disk + drum--drum being used for emergancy brake only) On the rear drivers side, the drum is old and it's squeeking. On the passangers side, it feels like the rotar is warped (you feel a wobble when you press down on the break at high speeds). Those are the only little problems I've had. Though, both look like they are going to be expensive ones

I just thought of this. Could it be the gas I'm using? I've been putting in the cheapest I could buy and never thought of that. I'm down to an 1/8th of a tank now. Maybe I could fill 'er up with premium for a couple times to get it through the engine and see if thats the problem? Or is that even an issue?

Speck102 · Post by **Speck102** » Fri Sep 21, 2001 1:48 am

Hmm... it doesn't sound like your clutch is slipping, does it over heat? pay attention to the heat level gauge, a hot engin will slow you down, or it could be one of many things, just look through some stuff.

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Fri Sep 21, 2001 3:53 pm

Yeah, see from everything I've read, it didn't sound like my clutch was slipping but I couldn't think of what else it could be? As far as I know the engine doesn't over heat. I think the temp-probe is a little screwy cause sometimes it'll get real hot but then go back down to the half-way mark where it usually is.

I got a higher grade gas for the hell of it today and my dad is gonna give me some stuff that he wants to use up and get rid of that is supposed to clean the fuel injectors.....I was really just lookin' to see if there was anything I could do to see if it was in fact slipping or if it was something else. If the clutch is good, I'll just replace the throw-out bearing sometime down the road, but if it's bad, I might as well get in there and replace it all.

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Sun Sep 23, 2001 12:44 am

I just thought of a better way to describe it. It's almost as if the clutchplate isn't making as much contact with the flywheel as it used to. So it's grabbing, but not as hard or tight as it used to so when you speed up, it "slips" Dunno if this helps any. This weekend and over the next few days we are gonna fix the brakes then after that, look into the clutch.

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Fri Sep 28, 2001 11:34 pm

My dad drove yesterday to test out the new brakes (which are great now--gotta love 4-wheel disk

) and he didn't notice any performance decrease. Maybe I'm just used to it now.... .... I need to find some ways to tune it for more torque then

Ladies Man · Post by **Ladies Man** » Sat Sep 29, 2001 9:56 pm

your clutch is perfectly fine

your car is getting up and age and is getting alittle sluggish
now its time for mods!!!

don't put that crap in your gas it does nothing... gas already has tons of additives
you can however...

clean throttle body, fuel injectors, give it a tune up, new air filter, fuel filter, *thats what pops into my head*

also if your car doesn't need it going from 87 to 93 octane gas will not help at all

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Sun Sep 30, 2001 10:27 am

To test your clutch, either put it into a higher gear at low speeds, floor it and see if the engine revs or put it in gear at a stop, hold the brake pedal, rev the engine and release the clutch. If your engine stalls (as it should), it's grabbing but if it still revs then your clutch is slipping.
I believe that car has a hydraulic clutch system (not cable) so there's no adjustment for freeplay. If it's slipping, plan on doing it right: you'll need a disc, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, should also replace the engines rear main (crank) seal as it's cheap and you'll have the trans out (costly if done later otherwise). Usually the flywheel will be OK. Small cracks in it are OK (unless it's warped from heat or damaged, scored badly). Don't let anyone talk to into resurfacing that flywheel as doing that will adversely effect your hydraulic clutch setup as it can't compensate for the added clearance (IE: you'll have problems and the clutch job won't last). I say that based on what I've seen done before on similar clutch setups (those w/o a cable).

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Sun Sep 30, 2001 5:24 pm

Originally posted by Ladies Man
don't put that crap in your gas it does nothing... gas already has tons of additives
you can however...

clean throttle body, fuel injectors, give it a tune up, new air filter, fuel filter, *thats what pops into my head*

Well, the crap my dad has he just wants to get rid of it and I"m sure it can't hurt by putting it in there

How exactly would I go about cleaning the throttle body/fuel injectors? Is it somethin' a "newbie" could do? The air-filter I have on there is some "K&N Filtercharger" and it says on it that it never has to be replaced? heh, who knows.

CaterpillarAssassin · Post by **CaterpillarAssassin** » Sun Sep 30, 2001 9:04 pm

I believe you need to like wash those ones. I think. I could be wrong.

Reg Kmet · Post by **Reg Kmet** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 12:40 am

ya, those need to be cleaned with a K&N cleaning kit, I have one on my K&N Fipk and love it

if its dirty as hell, clean it out! if the car is distributorless ignition, the coilpacks coudl be heat soaked, and ya, high temp will kill an engines performance... check coolant temp, maybe time for a new thermo? Just installed a 180 from a 195 in the bird, flushed the rad and the block, and she's sweeet now

If it has a heated TB try to do a coolant bypass, that will help too. Maybe time for some new plugs and wires?

horndog · Post by **horndog** » Sat Oct 20, 2001 10:46 am

just an FYI...

when I clutch is slipping it also will release a funky smell. No, not like your armpits, but smells like something nasty is burning