Clutch wear with P&G + EOC, now slipping
 

OK guys and gals I have searched where I can but I feel that my scenario does not fit others, so I will ask all you wise ecomodders!

The basics: Heavy P&G with EOC and clutch is now slipping.

The details:
I currently have about 130K on my clutch, and had been working fine. In the past two weeks I have been doing heavy P&G and EOC, so basically I pulse, shut off, glide, then "bump" start it. Probably at least 50-60x per day (HWY).

As for the history of the clutch, I have beat the hell out of it for about 124 of the 130K. ( You live and you learn )

So the problem is my clutch is slipping regularly, if I push it, while most of the time I keep it under 3K RPM, very gradually, there are times I need to exceed 3K and now I have found it is noticeably slipping. 3K RPM or higher (I am still early in diagnosing so this may be all the time, not sure yet though).

And the question. With my constant engine off/on during a drive, could this have caused irregular clutch wear, with the "bump" starting? Or is it the more likely, IMO, the clutch is done, given it's history? Or is it some other issue, like poor compression due to the constant on/off?

Like I said above, I should do more testing, but given the unusual scenario, I am looking for a place to start.

Thanks, appreciate it!

Dave

Also I call it "bump" starting, and you may too, but if you don't; it is starting the car by popping the clutch out/in in 5th gear.

The clutch is done, replace it. 124K of beating on it, plus probably a bit more abuse as you learned how to properly bump-start, put a lot of wear on it.

The flywheel may be banged up or burned. It should be checked to see if it needs to be machined (turned) or replaced. The pressure plate should probably just be replaced regardless, and the throwout bearing and any other bearings inside the bellhousing.

-soD

I hope you don't literally mean popping. Did you see this thread:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...gine-1141.html

jakobnev- yea bad choice of words on my part, I read the thread, before I started bump starting, as it was very helpful.

Thanks
-Dave

Properly done, P&G and clutch starting is no harder on the clutch than normal shifting.

Check basjoos' Aerocivic thread - he's got several hundred thousand miles on his original clutch, if I'm not mistaken, and he uses P&G a lot (or did in the past, before his lean-burn engine swap).

And to add to what Metro said, I do a lot of P&G with the motorcycle clutch, and it still works normally, and the bike has 125,000 on the original plates.

It sounds like the clutch is simply worn and needs replacing.

Jim.

OK guys thanks for the input, I've had my car back from the mechanic for a couple weeks (who said the clutch is fine), and have narrowed it down to oil leaking into my clutch, causing the slip.
I've done some research and under the hood inspecting and found a leak from my VTEC solenoid, so I ordered the part today ($30). But from the amount of oil on my "leak" pan I have a feeling it's not the only leak.. Yes I have a leak pan in my garage. :) - Hey the car is old and I used to beat the hell out of it, so it leaks.
Good news though just passed 250K on my chasis, 130K on the motor, yea don't ask--
I'll let you know what I find, again thanks for your input.
-Dave

BTW- my pull off the line is instant, and no slip, until higher RPM's.
I'll see if I can smoke the tires tomorrow, for old times sake, just to be sure, as my lead foot has been transformed into a feather :)

I was going to say contaminated clutch, did they replace it?

Had 515,000 miles on the car when I had the clutch replaced while replacing the engine and transmission. The clutch operated trouble free throughout this period and still had a fair amount of lining left on it when removed. Most of my P&G was done when going up and down hills and when approaching intersections where I had to stop and then accelerate. I rarely P&G on flat roads.