As I'm pretty new to S2000 ownership and driving I need some advice about a problem I seem to have each time I initially drive my car. Quite often for the first 5 to 10 minutes I encounter what I can only describe as "clutch judder" in 1st and 2nd gear. It may not be anything to do with the clutch but that's the best way to describe it. The car shudders along the road and I have to keep dipping the clutch until It gets going smoothly again This lasts for about the first mile or so and then disappears. Any ideas?

 

Can you describe the issue in some more detail? This website doesn't allow us to drive your car via the internet.

 

Okay. As I say the feeling I get when in 1st and 2nd gear is that the clutch is not properly engaging so to maintain drive I have to dip the clutch until it bights and continues smoothly. This happens in both 1st and 2nd gear for the first mile or so Then it disappears and the car drives fine. Its as if the clutch/gear box needs to warm up. It doesn't happen everytime but more often than not. Not sure I can describe it in any better detail.

 

Still lacking useful detail.

Does it ever happen as you're just driving down the road, clutch fully engaged (pedal not pressed), or only as you're in process of engaging clutch (pedal partially pressed and you're releasing it)?

Is the judder felt in pedal only, or the whole car?

Is there any noise associated with this judder? Describe it.

You mention 2nd gear, but is it really only in 1st, and only at really slow speeds?

Is it possible you're just bogging the engine with the clutch? Not applying enough gas pedal as you're taking off and shifting into second. Its a fine balance of simultaneous releasing clutch as gas applied, to keep engine happy (enough power and momentum to keep from bogging), and keep clutch engagement smooth.

This is one of the primary skills of driving manual.

Engine will bog more readily until it warms up. This could easily explain all your symptoms. Doing exact same steps exact same amount can have different results due to different engine response when its dead cold vs warmed up.

 

In answer to your questions, the judder is felt throughout the car and not just on the clutch pedal; it occurs in both 1st and 2nd gear with the clutch fully engaged, the only way to stop it is to depress the clutch momentarily. No noise occurs. It may well be that I am not applying enough throttle as I'm not used to such a high revving engine. Being a UK driver I have driven manual cars for most of my driving life (50yrs plus) so a manual drive is second nature and no big deal but this is the first time I have experienced this sort of problem on a reoccurring basis. My old TR4 did it occasionally but that was due to incorrectly balanced Strombergs. It feels at if it something to do with the "coldness" of the engine as it doesn't happen when its warmed up but is this normal for this car? I will see if giving it more "wellie" in the lower gears solves the problem - if not I shall be back for more ideas. Thanks

 

Much better understaning now.

You should be shifting at 4k rpm or higher. No short shifting. One of worst things you can do to this engine is lug it by shifting too early, ESPECIALLY when engine is cold.

If this judder is actually bucking due to lugging, you're doing real damage. To engine, to motor mounts.

Wait till 4k to shift, even when driving grandma to church.

Shifts will be smoother, engine will be happy, transmission will be happy, you'll be happy.

 

Thanks for the advice, will certainly go for more revs when in the lower gears.

 

^Caranalogy is correct. Let the engine rev out until shifting feels natural.

What RPM did you let the engine dip to when you felt the judder?

 

Like others here suggest, sounds like you are lugging the engine. If you are bit more aggressive with the throttle, while lifting the clutch pedal (engaging the transmission) --- does the shuddering go away? Especially, at stops.

 

Sounds like its either engine bogging from too low an rpm or you have an aftermarket clutch and or coupled with a lightweight aftermarket flywheel, which can sometimes result in needed more finesse and or just is what it is depending on the brand/type. If the car is new to you, the latter may be a possibility you are unaware of. Or its simply just a driving adjustment needed on your part as other mentioned.