Clutch problems, what damage was done?

Drew T. · 04-22-05, 07:24

Hey guys,

I usually don't post here, but I do read this board alot. But I did have an accident with shifing today I'd like your guys' take on. I was merging onto a road with heavy traffic after getting off an interstate with a curved exit ramp. So, when I merged into traffic, I had to shift down into second to get some power to get up enough speed. I drive a 2002 manual trans Accord, BTW. I must have not put the stick all the way into second, I'm not sure, but when I gave it gas, the car was not moving, so the clutch must have been slipping. Before I knew it, the RPMs were nearing 5000 RPM before I could get any decent speed and I started to smell something that smelled like burning rubber. I assume that it was the clutch burning, as I've never burned a clutch before. Since the engine and everything else was fine, I assume the clutch was slipping and caused it to burn some. I don't know if this happened because I didn't shift right, or what. I've been driving manual Accords for four years now, but I've never had problems until now. After this happened, I pulled over somewhere to get a quick lunch, and when I got back to driving, the problem did not occur again and everything was fine. I couldn't smell the clutch anymore, and all gears were shifting fine. This problem just seemed to come out of the clear blue. Do you guys think I need to have this checked out, or could that much harm have been done?

Again, I've never had any problems like this, so I don't know if I'm in danger of the clutch going out or what. Thanks for any info and help!

White95Max · 04-22-05, 08:26

While you had lunch it probably cooled down and gripped better.
I guess one way to find out if your clutch is on its way out is to do some quick high-rev shifts and see if the clutch holds.

I don't know if you want to drive it like that though.

Drew T. · 04-22-05, 08:55

Thanks!

Your probably right about the clutch cooling off, but I drove a good bit after the incident, and everything was still fine with regular downshifting and upshifting. The car has 70 grand on it, and I think the clutch is original. I bought it last year. That's alot of miles for a 2002 model, but it's mostly highway miles. I'd rather not try any high speed shifting, because I don't think the stock clutch is really made for that. Thanks again! Any other suggestions you guys might have?

PerfectFinish1 · 04-23-05, 10:00

I've had a mis-shift or two on my TSi... it has a racing clutch, short throw shifter, shift kit, etc... sometimes it's not the easiest car to shift. The clutch is still perfectly fine... Honda clutches stock are very strong, I doubt you did any damage. My guess is a shop would just try to take your money if you got it checked out

ben54 · 04-23-05, 10:23

To check your clutch, try going up a steep incline slowly. If the car jerks with the clutch engaged, then it is slipping. Also, if you punch it up the incline and the car goes nowhere, then it's slipping. However, I agree with PerfectFinish, Honda clutches are tough. So the problem you had may be an isolated incident. I would suspect that you would get clutch chatter as a first sign that your clutch is going on you, but at 70k miles, you should be thankful that there is any friction material left on the disk. J/K, my Honda's clutch lasted to about 75k miles.

Drew T. · 04-23-05, 06:01

Thanks for all the info, guys. I tried going up an incline slowly and engaged the clutch, and all was well. Did some more driving, and still no problems. I also could not detect the clutch burning smell I had yesterday. Ben, that's surprising your clutch only lasted 75K. The last Accord I had was a '92 and had 180K with the original clutch and shifted fine. Well, thanks again, everyone. I assume this was just an isolated inident, and probably happened due to my mistake. I won't have it looked at now, but if it happens again soon, I definitely will.

tahoe04 · 04-23-05, 06:38

the smell was from you burning some of the life off your clutch plate & throw out bearing. Nothing to major if you only shifted like this now & then, and not ride the clutch or keep the shifter in mid-gate. from what you said it sounds like you just add a very little premature wear to the tranny nothing more

Steve530 · 04-23-05, 06:46

Drew,

Don't worry about it. You will know when the clutch starts slipping. The tach will read higher rpms with no increase in speed.

As far as not wuite getting the transmission in gear, it just dosn't work that way. It's either in gear or not.