My S2000 is 10 months old with almost 13,000 miles. Last weekend, I did some "spirited" driving on some back roads. I did not mistreat the drivetrain. Shifting, while quick, was normally done. After about a mile of this type of driving. I got on to a 55 mph two-lane highway with an uphill grade. I started off, took her up to the red line and then did a fast shift into second. The clutch slipped for a second before gripping. I thought I was hearing things. I took her back up to the red line and shifted into third very quickly again and trompted on the gas. Again, it slipped for a second. The road then levelled out. Then I took her up to red line again and quick shifted into fourth and floored it. This time is slipped very badly. I went nowhere, and the tach quickly spun right up to 8,000 or so rpm. I immediately backed off. Burning clutch smell filled the cockpit. I took it easy the rest of the way home. I've read a lot about the S's weak clutch, but this is the first time I ever experienced it. It hasn't happened again. I've tried one of the test suggested on the forum -- take the car up to 35 mph in third gear and then floor it -- it doesn't slip. What's up? Do I need a new clutch? This car oughta quick shift with no problems! I have NEVER dumped the clutch or launched the car at high RPMs. I have quick shifted before and never experienced this! Is the clutch damanged? Thanks in advance.

Marc

 

I did a dumb thing yesterday, I was having a hard time driving because I had a cup in the cup holder (dumb), I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it.

But this guy ahead of me was turning and I had to slow to a stop for a split second and I revved it up to 4000 to blow past when he got out of my way. Well I let the clutch out too slow because he wasn't getting out of my way as fast as I was thinking he would. Anyway the clutch came out and the engine was 4000 rpm but my car wasn't moving.

Anyone else ever do such a dumb thing?

Burning clutch smell. How many years do you think I took off my clutch?

 

Chihuahua! You give an excellent description of what sounds like your clutch did slip badly on that occassion. Is it damaged? I doubt it, you just caught it at peak torque, in an uphill, with warm internals, so it slipped.
It is possible to replicate the problem under similar circumstances? Probably.
Is this unfair that our car has a clutch that slips in this fashion? Yeah, probably.
Does it happen to other high-powered cars under similar circumstances? (Stock clutch) YES.
I used to drive a Toyota Supra Turbo and like you, I baby'ed it a lot. A few times in circumstances similar to yours, when quickshifting at peak torque rpm's, the clutch would slip a bit...even on flat roads. I drove the car several years and only under these extreme situations would it do it, I enjoyed that car a lot.
I guess we have to accept and live with that fact.
When and if the time comes to replace the clutch (hopefully many, many thousands of miles later) perhaps aftermarket application?
Don't worry, enjoy the car, drive it as usual and we'll see....
Cheers,
Daniel

 

Very interesting reply, dangarza! Thanks! And I thought that a car like ours would take that kind of "driving it like you stole it" behavior You'd think that a car that is to be driven hard over the twisties and with such close gear ratios would hold up to this. So, I'll watch out to see what happens now. I'm having a bit of trouble understanding how this could happen!

Marc

 

You know, I've heard of multiple clutch problems with the S2000's stock clutch.
I've owned several cars all manual (Maxima, Civic, Rav 4, 2nd Gen Rx7) etc, and I have never had a clutch problem or ever had to change a clutch.

Maxima= 130k miles when sold on Original clutch
Civic = 150k miles on stock clutch when sold
Rav 4 = 190k miles on stock clutch (It is starting to peter out though)
Rx7= 90k miles on stock clutch

People say its because the S is a higher powered car, well I say BS, Honda should have put a stronger clutch in stock. I have driven all my cars in a spirited manner, very few clutch drops though. I think part of my secret to clutch longevity is not downshifting when coming to a stop, I just stick it in neutraul and coast to the stop (Brakes are Cheaper the clutch replacements) I do downshift in to turns etc.

A clutch can last near the life of the car if not abused, yeah if you are constantly doing drag starts you are going to have clutch problems, but like someone else was saying if its not the clutch it will be some other part of your driveline that goes if you drive it hard ALL the time.

 

Allow me to try to eliminate a couple of things first:
Marc, you say you shifted "fast" but did you release the clutch FAST and immediately removed your foot off it? If there was some hesitation with the clutch foot or you did not allow it to completely reach the top of its travel as fast as it was capable of, then that momentary delay would cause the slippage you described. I say this only because after you did the "test", low speed, high gear roll on, you say all was normal.
My clutch is over 20,000 miles and lately have been with a S/C and it has still not begun to slip even when shifting at redline in rapid style.

 

I always remove my foot from the clutch. However, I was really shifting very fast -- tromp-tromp - almost simultaneously. Maybe it was me! Maybe I was giving it gas before the clutch was fully engaged. I never thought that it was possible to shift too fast. I know that this has never happened in any other stick that I have driven over the last 39 years! I guess I'll just be more careful next time! Thanks again, xviper, for your thoughts. BTW, I'm taking the car into the shop on Monday. They are stumped by the ticking sound from my rear and had to order a part with "ears" that'll isolate where the sound is coming from. I should know something next week!

Marc

 

i havent had my clutch slip... or maybe i dont know when my clutch slips? this is my first manual... or perhaps i dont shift fast enough to allow the clutch to slip?

 

Marc, that was purely speculation and a "hunch". You may very well shift flawlessly. I just know that sometimes, if I "hit the gas" just a fraction of a second before the clutch gets to the engagement point or if I'm a bit "hesitant" (for whatever reason), I have to back off the throttle a wee bit so the clutch doesn't continue to slip. If it begins and I don't back off, it will slip "momentarily" as you described.
I hope they find your ticking. Let us know what the "fix" will be.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mwy23
[B]i havent had my clutch slip... or maybe i dont know when my clutch slips?