How to Diagnose A Bad Clutch

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/

This one will end up being part of a larger series of videos about clutches and their diagnosis and replacement, I'm even going to post a video on 'How To Drive A Stick Shift' as part of this series. So in this installment I cover the basic steps in determining if you NEED a clutch or not.

Stay dirty

ETCG

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Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• clutch
• bad clutch
• slipping clutch
• finding a bad clutch
• car won't move
• no power
• trans slipping
• clutch slipping
• burned clutch
• smoked clutch
• flywheel
• car has no power
• clutch linkage
• hydraulic linkage
• clutch hydraulics
• clutch cable
• shift linkage
• shifting
• transmission
• standard transmission
• transmission problems
• clutch problems
• clutch replacement
• automotive education
• automotive how to
• diy auto repair
• diy
• car repair
• eric the car guy
• ericthecarguy
• etcg

[ACartec]

Hey, this is Andy.

I just want to say that I really love your Vids and you´re a great guy!

And I love the american mentality and i´m a fan about America. I really love it.

Can´t stop watching your Vids ;)

Regards from Andy/Germany

[EricTheCarGuy]

@ACartec Hello Germany! Thank you very much for your comment.  I've always wanted to visit Germany if nothing else to run flat out on the Autobahn to see what that's like.

[Tom64o]

@EricTheCarGuy In my car occasionally and it doesn't happen very often but I'll go to put it in 3rd gear, clutch is to the floor and I'm fully into 3rd gear but when I go to let out of the clutch it grinds pretty bad (sometimes with 2nd). When that happens I have to push the clutch back in, take it out of gear, come off the clutch, then push the clutch back in and put it back in gear. Someone told me it was synchros but i have no idea. I have a 2006 acura rsx-s I know they have shitty gearboxes.

[EricTheCarGuy]

@Tom64o They do actually. In your case however I'd be checking the linkage to make sure it's not loose or misadjusted. It's also very important to use Honda fluid in the transmission.

[kurama10271]

i just watched this and will be watchin how u replace it =) thanks eric, any chance you could do a water pump replacement video?

[EricTheCarGuy]

@kurama10271 Enjoy it it's one of my favorite videos shot in the new shop.

[BlinginTom]

um sometimes when I put my vehicle into reverse I get this kind of grindy sound and the stick shakes a little, does that mean my clutch is out?

[KonaKid31]

@Tom64o Hondas/acuras do have bad synchros, hence honda guys always talking about double clutching. You should do a flush of you transmissio fluid and see if it helps, if not as eric said, check the linkage; my friend's acura rsx type s does the same thing

[yellowcow13]

Hey Eric I have a 2000 Focus LX 5 speed. (Fun Car) and ive heard that the 2.0 SPI engine is total garbage is that true. 

[urbex2007]

@ACartec We love him in the UK too!!! There is a Ford Focus sold in the UK, but we get all the cars with tiny tiny engines compared to everywhere else. Average here is a 1600cc 4 cylinder with 5speed manual gearbox. Maybe we should all put our country at the start or finish of the message so we can all see where people watch the videos.

I've just spent about 3 hours watching videos, they are educational and very informative with handy hints and tips from a real expert with lots of experience.

[KFLY67]

that clutch is big time slippin

[74bluewolf]

hey Eric, I have a question about my clutch 95 honda civic ex. I replaced my hydraulic cylinder because my car was very hard to switch gears and it was leaking however after replacing the master is still not letting me switch gears, it does sometimes but it makes an awful noise in the faceplate of the transmission. when i step on the pedal it makes a sort of of rattleing sound even if Im not switching gears. I appreciate your help brother.

Thanxs.

[ZyberWaX]

to add on to my question below, it only made bad sounds while the clutch pedal was pressed, im thinking it could have been one of the springs that got loose? bearing sound ok, and there is no sound now, but its shaking really bad when starting in 1st, could it be that the flywheel was damaged?

[ZyberWaX]

i got a 1998 golf mk4 its a 1.6 sr.. I parked the car at home and everything was fine, the next day, clutch wouldnt release. i had to start it in gear while going forward :O i drove cars before without clutch so i took a drive, pumping the clutch and it let go again, but when i pressed the clutch pedal car was breaking and there was a sound like loose parts or grinding, sound was gone before i got home (only like 500 meters),its shaking when releasing the clutch now (last 6-7 months), any idea?

[Boasandpythons]

Getting ready to replace mine in my 1979 Alfa Romeo spider. Hope it's easier than my 89 Cherokee lol. Probably not.

[ghat13]

hey eric, i have a clutch question....i have a 2000 vw jetta (hydraulic clutch), and it makes a squeaking noise and sometimes binds when the pedal is between bottomed out and slightly off the floor...the clutch grabs plenty and never slips, could this be a throwout bearing or possibly slave cylinder problem?

[pooper2000]

@BlinginTom not necessarily, it may mean that your syncro-mesh is not working in that gear - try double clutching eg. if you are going from 1st to reverse, stop in neutral, take your foot of the clutch for a second and then press it down again and put it into reverse.