Is my clutch going? Options

[airforceb2cc]

Every morning when I take the kids to school and the car is cold, the car jerks (or stutters for lack of a better word) a few times when letting out the clutch. I usually let the clutch out around 1500 RPMs but it will still stutter at 2500-3000 RPMs. I don't think it is the engine as it still sounds like it is running fine. Once the car is warmed up and I have done a couple shifts or starts and stops it goes away. I have no idea if the clutch has ever been replaced.

Any ideas?

This post has been edited by airforceb2cc: Apr 8, 2008 - 12:14 PM

[k-weaver]

I am actually experiencing the same EXACT problem at the moment. I started a thread a while back ago and didn't get too many answers but everyone that did reply stated that it was the clutch.

So based off of my old thread I would say yes to the clutch.

[purplegt4]

sounds like your clutch is chattering

take a look at this http://www.aa1car.com/library/2002/ic100237.htm

[airforceb2cc]

Chattering it is!! Hopefully it will last another 2 months to the engine rebuild.

[99Celica]

Wow that's a long list of things to inspect to see whats causing it. I started to have the same problem recently. If the car only does it when it's cold can we assume it's the clutch and not something external?

[airforceb2cc]

You can rule out just about everything but contamination and normal/abnormal wear with a quick visual inspection. I checked my mounts anyway but I was thinking along the same grounds in that if it isn't chattering all the time then it is probably an internal problem and not an external.

[mr-belowaverage]

I usually let the clutch out around 1500 RPMs

What do you mean by this? You basically never rev match or what? This sentence makes no sense to me.

[airforceb2cc]

I usually let the clutch out around 1500 RPMs

What do you mean by this? You basically never rev match or what? This sentence makes no sense to me.

When starting out in first, I let rev up to 1500 RPMs and let the clutch out.

[6_GEN]

I have the same problem,but when i replaced the intake back to stock it got a little better.....Not sure why,i guess i got more low end power to grab from lower rpm's where its less rotation.

[Bitter]

if you try it at lets say 2000 or 2500 rpm does it still do it?

[vile_v]

I dont know if this well help you but a mechanic friend of mine told me this test to check for clutch slipping.

Try to start your car in 3rd gear while the handbrake is up. If you car stall suddenly that means your clutch is fine, but if you can keep going its slipping.

I dont know how accurate this test is. but good luck

[airforceb2cc]

if you try it at lets say 2000 or 2500 rpm does it still do it?

Yeah...it will do it at any RPM.

dont know if this well help you but a mechanic friend of mine told me this test to check for clutch slipping.

Try to start your car in 3rd gear while the handbrake is up. If you car stall suddenly that means your clutch is fine, but if you can keep going its slipping.

I tried that test and my clutch isn't slipping but from what I've been reading, just because it isn't slipping doesn't mean it isn't worn. I have just over 150,000 miles on the stock clutch and I drive a bit aggressively so I think it has done its time.