First of all... Did alot of searching about this issue but only came up with topics about clutch drops and people burning their clutches when doing launches.

However, my issue deals with shifting from 1st to 2nd. I took my car out for a nice long drive today and at least a couple times when shifting from 1-2 at approx 8500 rpm when I'd get back on the gas once in 2nd the revs would climb a decent amount and then fall back and acceleration would continue. Mind you, this was a very quick process... description just slowed down for description purposes.

So the question is this, since I didn't hear my tires "chirp" should I assume the clutch was having trouble hanging on? Or is it likely the tires were spinning but just not making any noises? They are the stock SO-2s and the car has 30k miles on it.

Thanks for any and all help, I'll try and answer more questions if I have left out anything important.

 

try driving on a hill around 35mph and shifting from 3rd to 4th or 2nd to 3rd that can help you determine how good the clutch is. As you shift the tach goes up just a lil then back down once your in the new gear. At least that what I remember but as long as it doesn't do anything crazy or slip on the hill your good.

 

good tip about the hill. Which reminds me of another thing... after this happened the second time I thought I'd find a hill and I put it in 6th and was able to floor it without any problems. Naturally the engine bogged a bit but no clutch slippage. That made me a bit more confident but since this is my first manual I was unsure of the proper way to "test" for a slipping/bad clutch. I was also concerned due to the fact that I bought the car from a guy who I knew took good care of the car but also was an "enthusiast" so I'm sure this was not driven like a typical grocery getter. So because I was not totally sure of the past combined with this new sensation when shifting near peak power I thought I'd throw it out on the forum. Maybe someone else has experienced the same thing and confirm or deny it's the tires/clutch?

Again, thanks. This forum has been a godsend on many occasions already and I've only been a member for month.

 

Yeh 6th gear on a hill would def bog! unless your going 40+

 

I was probably going 35-40... I just figured that would be a way to put some stress on the clutch. I dunno if it actually did... but it was the best test my little mind could come up with en route to my computer where I figured I'd ask a collectively much more knowledgable audience.

 

Just do the hill test while shifting and if thats good then your ok!

I've never heard of the 6th gear thing though I never even go on 5th with hills lol.

 

I thought the way to test the clutch was to come to a complete stop. Put the car into 6th. Try to start moving. If the car dies your good, if the car doesn't then your clutch is slipping.

 

30,000 miles on the original tires?!?

 

Well I shifted plenty through hills on the way home so I will assume everything is a-ok. which prompts me to say.... WOW! thats a buttload of power to get those wheels spinning in 2nd like that.

Today was our first 60 degree day around here so the first day the roads and tires would be warm enough for some spirited driving so I really didn't expect the tires to break loose like that. That's what made me ask the quesiton in the first place. I could see if it was 30 deg out and it happened but jeez! FUN!

 

I'm sure there are many ways Max, I hate the feeling of my car dying so I don't think I'll probably try the 6th gear thing. I'm sure there are some torquey cars out there which can start in 6th!