After a week in my s2k, I've discovered a lot of new things (including the "secret" compartment ) and a couple of things that worried me.

The ONE thing (amongst many) I was concerned about the most when buying my used s2k was the clutch. I've test driven about 10 different s2k's and all the clutches felt different....some felt great and some not so great.

I've become extremely paranoid about my clutch. Granted my car looks as if it's been taken care of VERY well, but you can never be too sure about it's true condition. After reading a wealth of information on this site regarding clutch life and slipping clutch syndrome....I did a few tests.


1. Drove it hard on the freeway going up and down hills pulling hard in 5th and 6th gears. No slippage whatsoever.

2. All gears slide in smooth as silk and never had a bad shift.....not even a shudder!

3. CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT POINT IS EXTREMELY HIGH! At first I thought a high engagement point means my clutch is about to go out. I've driven high clutches before....but mine is borderline ridiculous. My clutch engages at pretty much the same point I release my clutch. It's really weird. It almost feels as if it doesn't need ANY gas to get started.

SO......today I did another test. Backed out of my parking spot in Reverse....released the clutch very slowly......and surprisingly DIDN'T NEED ANY GAS to get it moving! So i did this again in 1st gear.......released slowly.....and got it moving with no gas.....barely even a shudder. Then proceeded to shift from 1st to 2nd with no gas.....and did it again. I am now VERY worried. My old 5spd would have definitely stalled with no gas.

So I brought my car to a stop and put it in third and released the clutch and bam....it stalled right there. What is going on?


I apologize for the long post, but what is the deal with my clutch? Is this normal? I tried multiple searches but couldn't find anything related to my situation.


I'd love to hear all your expert diagnosis.


Thanks guys.

 

Offhand, it would appear that your clutch friction point is very high. Whether or not this means a bad clutch is yet to be determined.


This simply means that there was insufficient torque at that rpm in that gear to get the car moving. Reverse and 1st has the biggest mechanical advantage for the motor. With a high friction point, there is enough torque at idle to get the car moving

I would suggest the following as a first step in figuring out what's going on:
1. Get the clutch fluid flushed and bled with new fluid. Here's a "How To" on it:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=118878
If you've followed the instructions and think you've done it right, drive it for a day or two and see if anything has changed.
2. If no change, then try this:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...0&#entry5234269
Drive it again for a day or two.
Although your test for clutch slippage may have shown to you that it doesn't slip, that test may not have been ideal. Try the same thing in 2nd or 3rd going up a good incline. Rev it into VTEC and then see if it slips. Another test you can do is to drive it in 1st around 4000 rpm (be safe), hold the throttle and apply the brakes moderately to slow the car down. Don't touch the clutch. Does the engine rpm also slow down or does it tend to want to hang up? Don't do this for more than a couple thousand rpm drop or drop of more than about 10 mph change (you'll going from about 20 down to 10).
After this, you'll know if you need a clutch job or not.

 

xviper...

In my 4 days on this board, I've already found all your posts incredibly helpful. There are always a few members that are head and shoulders above the rest...and are kind enough to help out others.....esp. newbies like me.

Appreciate your help. I will give it try and update on the results.


Anybody else out there in a similar situation?

 

I've been wondering about this alot lately myself, I have the same exacty findings that you do. And I too have been reading xvipers posts (ie, Clutch adjustment thread and clutch fluid thread). Although I do have a quick question. In your clutch bleeding thread, I noticed you were using Dot 3 Brake fluid, I went to the honda dealer and bought Clutch fluid from them, which is actually better?

 

Hmmm, I believe I was actually using DOT 4 fluid and mentioned that for the clutch, DOT 3 or 4 is acceptable. I have no knowledge of the Honda clutch fluid as I've only used the Valvoline. As long as it says DOT 3 or 4, you'll be fine. The clutch fluid is not nearly as stressed by heat as brake fluid is, so there is no need to get too fancy with it. Just monitor its level and change it out every couple of years. Change it if it gets too black.

 

Xviper, I have a feeling I need a clutch too! The other day I was messing with an STI and all was good till I went to 4th and the rpms just took off and nothing. I figured it was going so I took it easy from there. I noticed that if I push down at 80% pressure that it won't slip? Does that make any sense? Thanks for you're help as always .

 

I'm not understanding what you're actually doing here. Is the clutch pedal 4/5ths to the floor (like almost there)? If so, then this makes no sense. By holding the clutch anywhere other than leaving it all the way up, you are removing some of the force the pressure plate exerts on the clutch disc on the flywheel. You need all the PP force you can get to stay away from slippage.

 

im a noob as well ... but isnt that normal? i've been doing that with my s2k in traffic jams ever since i got it

 

Ordinarily, I would agree with you. With a normal clutch engagement point, getting the car moving without use of throttle (idle only) can be done but takes some finesse. With a high engagement point, it becomes much easier. Since I can't determine his degree of "finesse", I approached the situation more cautiously. The thing that causes me concern is the extremely high friction point. His statement #3 is out of the ordinary, assuming he has made his description precise.
Hence, the suggestions to do additional "tests". I am not convinced that his clutch is slipping or that it is bad. It is the friction point that needs to be addressed. Not knowing when, if ever, his clutch fluid was changed, changing it now will not hurt anything.

 

Sorry Xviper, I meant 80% throttle, instead of just nailing it, then I lose my clutch. If I baby the gas it gets moving well, otherwise I am guessing it slips.