Can anyone diagnose my car?

[Impact55]

I'm only 15 3/4 ( almost 16), anyways I was driving my stickshift ( I have a permit) and I am skilled at it , so that is not what caused it. My mom noticed that the engine sounded wierd on the way to our destination, and thought it was the muffler, we came up to a hill later and my car would not accelerate past 25mph and I was in 3rd gear.... so we got to the bottom the hill, got out and pushed the car into a parking lot. Their was like a burnt smell, and the guy that helped us ( real nice BTW ) thought it was the clutch. My mom ( trying to blame me ) thought I didn't release the parking brake, does anyone have an idea on what it is? And if you need more detail on something, ask right away. I am getting it taken in tommorow, but was curious . My parents weren't mad either, probably because it was my car. LOL!

 

[yakko]

A mechanic can diagnose it.

If it is your clutch when you try to accelerate it will rev faster than you speed up. Are there any other symptoms?

 

[Impact55]

Yes! It feels like your in neutral exactly! I just want to see if it can be my fault ( lol ), my mom apologized about an hour later for being so harsh on me at first, she said she was looking for someone to blame, but it could still be my fault....

 

[Impact55]

?

 

[Cybordolphin]

If it is a Toyota (not always just Toyota's)..... likely the clutch master cylinder. Look for lots of fluid on the floorboard. It could also be the SLAVE clutch cylinder. When this one goes.. it will drop fluid all over the axhaust. And will smell nasty.

If it is neither. It is probably the clutch itself or a throwout bearing.

Let us know what you find.

Also was the car "misfiring".. or sputtering?

 

[etech]

It does sound like the clutch.
Most of my manual clutch work has been on a VW bug.

A number of things can cause a slipping clutch.
The clutch plates are worn out, either just age or poor driving habits. Riding the clutch pedal(not letting it out all the way or leaving your foot on it keeping it depressed) will wear the clutch out prematurely.

An oil leak on the the clutch. VW's are notorious for this when the front engine seals blows.

Cable adjustment (at least on VW's) can wear out the clutch plates.


As Cybordolphin pointed out the release bearing can also go.

 

[Ronstang]

It sounds like your clutch might be slipping. If this is the case your engine will rev higher while your car will not accelerate. This would explain the burnt smell, it is the odor of the organic clutch material burning as is slips between the flywheel and pressure plate.

It is probably not your fault. Clutches wear out but you can accelerate their wear if you "ride" the clutch a lot. This means having your foot resting on the clutch pedal while you are driving. If you slip the clutch a lot in first gear then clutch wear is also accelerated.

You didn't say how many miles are on your car. Most people get about 50K out of a clutch or more, depending on driving style. I've had two cars that had the original clutch in them when I got rid of them at 150K.

Your rear main crankase seal could also be leaking. If this happens then engin oil can get onto the clutch, causing it to slip.

I can only make guesses to what your problem is but is likely not your fault.

If you need more specific advice or want to discuss this more then send me a privat3e message.

Good Luck

 

[rahvin]

Sounds like the clutch isn't holding tight, has it been adjusted? Where is the friction point, right at the top of the pedal? The point of engagement should be at least a couple inchs before total let off (check your manual for actual distance), if it doesn't engage fully you will end up burning it up and a clutch job isn't cheap (I would guess around $600).

 

[lepper boy]

well you can check your clutch first check the easy things..... look into where you fill your oil and make sure it isn't "Swimming" in oil. I know that if you overfill a car with to much oil it can have the same effect... gutless. not hilll power..... but it would also smoke a lot..... other then that.... rip inot that puppy and check out the clutch. make sure that it just doesn't need adjusting.... look around the clutch peddle itself for an adjustment.

and my 98 toy tacoma has 52k original clutch.. my 82 toy celica has 232,000 miles on original clutch... and tranny.