how to test a manual car for a bad clutch?

[Zenmervolt]

What shop do you know that will drop the tranny on an AWD vehicle for $100?

Most PPIs (Pre-Purchase Inspections) run about $100 and a good shop should be able to tell by the feel if a clutch is nearing the end of its life. I should have specified.

Also, some vehicles have inspection holes and you can see by where the release lever rests how far worn the friction material is (the clutch has to go further forward as it wears and the release lever sits at different positions and there is sometimes a spec for what the range should be when the clutch is good).

ZV

 

[Blackjack200]

The place I go to will inspects my cars for free since they know I'll give them business. There's nothing like finding a good independent mechanic.

 

[bommy261]

the highest power in my car is around 5k RPM, if i noticed the tach going up and the speed remaining the same at the optimal power RPM of my engine, the clutch is slipping.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

blehhhh, the car was already sold when i got there.

 

[Ophir]

the redline dump, nothing more nothing less

This really is the best way, if only to see the look on the saleman's face.

 

[exdeath]

Just drive it. You'll know. A slipping clutch is one of those things that even a 5 year old would instinctively notice that something didn't seem right.

 

[amdhunter]

blehhhh, the car was already sold when i got there.

Sucks. STi's looks like fun.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Sucks. STi's looks like fun.

yeah, i sat in a new one on the showroom floor. spartan interior but it was just oozing with sportiness and fun.

 

[NutBucket]

so?

mod - de-mod doesnt make it a shitty car......

it being at a dealer it has a better chance of being on good shape, because it might off lease, and if any random crap is missing they can easily source the parts for cheap

Completely false. Unless the car is CPO with a warranty its no different than buying from a private party. Many people trade in cars that were highly modded. While I agree it doesn't necessarily mean anything, who mods a car only to be gentle with it? It may be fine now but I would say chances of problems down the road increase greatly.

 

[Zargon]

ran hard isnt exactly BAD for the car

better than grannyin the piss out of it

 

[NutBucket]

ran hard isnt exactly BAD for the car

better than grannyin the piss out of it

Ok, how about flat out abuse?

 

[exdeath]

I wouldn't buy a car like that without a compression and leak down test, maybe even a quick look with a bore scope in the known problem cylinders. If it was modded and they weren't smart enough to change the plugs, that will tell you a lot as well. At the absolute least, a OBD power balance test.

 

[thomsbrain]

Tree test. Inch the car up to a tree until the bumper is resting on it. Put it in Gear and if the car stalls immediately once you let up on the clutch...then the clutch is good. If the car does not stall...or takes a while to stall...the clutch has some major slippage.

Of course you wouldn't want to do this on a new car...but a new car...or even close to new wouldn't have a worn clutch.

Car Talk recommends this, as well.