I think its my clutch (but I hope I'm wrong)

[Gavin]

I’m looking for a little clutch expertise.

For about the past year my car has displayed an intermittent problem. Occasionally when I shift gears, after selecting a gear and beginning to release the clutch, my car will shutter and seem to engage the gear poorly, although I still move forward. The shutter is not a stall, more of a vibration, it feels a lot like wheel-hop actually. Realistically I think my problem is probably the clutch; but there are a few factors that are confusing me.

I’ve had 2 beater cars that both had clutches fail, and they both displayed the same symptoms: a strong burnt rubber smell as you try to engage a gear, and a complete failure to engage. Neither car gave me the wheel-hop sort of response the Protégé is, and neither car displayed an intermittent problem, more like a consistent worsening until a total failure was realized. Also the problem seems to occur less frequently when I release the clutch at high RPM; in the past my failing clutches always seemed to perform more poorly at higher RPM.

There seems to be a sort of low RPM sweet spot, where if I let the clutch out at that specific rotational speed I’ll feel the hopping sensation, almost as though there is a harmonic contribution to the problem??

Has anyone else had a similar problem? I’m not seeing the same obvious signs of clutch failure I’ve observed in the past, but all I can think of in terms of causality is clutch failure. I’m hoping I’m wrong...... Someone please tell me I’m wrong, and that there is a simpler fix than swapping out my clutch.

I’ve changed the transmission fluid, but to no aid.

Ideas??

[exoticracr]

I have a similar problem, but I run 350hp.

My problem is clutch chatter usually in 5th gear after the car is warm. It will "stutter" or feel like wheel hop for about 2-3 seconds, then the clutch will completely grab.

My problem is very similar in the fact that at high RPM the clutch is fine, but when on the highway while building LOW boost, this happens, and goes away with MORE rpms. My problem really is rare though. Sometimes it takes a 3 hour drive to happen, sometimes it does it just after the car has warmed up and won't do it again.

Its GOT to be related to the clutch engauging.

So, questions.

Are you running significant engine mods? (turbo, n2o, etc)
If so, I can understand why you might have the issue...

Not running additional HP over stock?
Could be a bad pressure plate.

What I'm leaning to with my car is the pressure plate. If it was the clutch, it would be an all the time thing or become worse. With the pressure plate, engine load/conditions can change. I don't know if that makes sense to you, thats the best I can explain it. I've thought of getting a new clutch (which includes a PP), but am hesitant because I run LOTS of HP and there aren't many Protege Clutches that can hold 350-400whp.

[mountjonas]

search for clutch shudder. it's a pretty "normal" thing for the last proteges.

[Gavin]

Sadly, I’m running at virtually stock HP/TQ levels. So the sting of having spend time and $$ to solve this problem isn’t going to be at all tempered by the comfort of performance.

A bum pressure plate makes sense. I’ll do a search for clutch shudder, & start shopping around for parts at the same time. When last I was active on this board most people were recommending Spec clutch & pressure plate combos. After google’ing Spec I’m seeing a few purchase options for a little less than $300; a lot more than I wanted to spend seeing as how I’ve been trying to sell my car for the last 6 months and I definitely don’t want to be sinking more money into it.

[exoticracr]

I wouldn't. Its something you can easily "ignore". Sell it now before the problem gets worse.

[DiS]

I wouldn't. Its something you can easily "ignore". Sell it now before the problem gets worse.
that's not a real solution for the problem......

Getting back on topic.
Any specific gear it happens in or it happens in all of the gears? What speed/RPM? Also, does it only happen when just trying to get the car going from a "still" position? How many miles are on the car? Are you the original owner?

[mzdalvr]

Mine does that too. It always happens from a stand-still and letting the clutch pedal out in first. Feels like wheel hop or the clutch slipping. Car seems to shudder. All other gears are fine. In addition it seems to happen mostly when the car is cold - and in the cold weather now seems to be more pronounced. Usually after it warms up its ok, but it still does it.

Mine is an 02 with 48,600 miles.

[DiS]

Mine does that too. It always happens from a stand-still and letting the clutch pedal out in first. Feels like wheel hop or the clutch slipping. Car seems to shudder. All other gears are fine. In addition it seems to happen mostly when the car is cold - and in the cold weather now seems to be more pronounced. Usually after it warms up its ok, but it still does it.

Mine is an 02 with 48,600 miles.
Steve, that's normal. I have same shit too as other people with Protege's, hehe

[mzdalvr]

so no fix for it i guess other than maybe a new clutch or plate as in the "clutch chatter" thread.

[DiS]

so no fix for it i guess other than maybe a new clutch or plate as in the "clutch chatter" thread.
pretty much

[sam1]

could be your motor mounts too. my pass side mount is torn and i get some pretty nasty wheelhop & vibrations.