How to Diagnose A Bad Clutch - EricTheCarGuy

This one will end up being part of a larger series of videos about clutches and their diagnosis and replacement, I'm even going to post a video on 'How To Drive A Stick Shift' as part of this series. So in this installment I cover the basic steps in determining if you NEED a clutch or not.

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ETCG

Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.  Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.

[krisk]

11 years later, and this video helped me confirm my clutch issues. Clear and straightforward advice and diagnosis steps. Thanks!

[Tattoostars]

Eric!!! I wanted to respond to your video NOT by being another person pleading their make, model, and problem to the "YouTube car savior, " but to simply say, "thank you."
Unlike a lot of these individuals who do not want to take the time to do their own research or even look through past videos you've done, I have used your videos and humble teachings to keep my Prelude running into the 300K's, and looking-sounding-driving awesome.
So THANK YOU Eric. I, we, all appreciate your time and effort

[RedRex]

Clutch slip is super obvious - RPMs go up faster than your speed increases, you can baby it for a while but failure is inevitable, and if you ignore it too long, eventually you'll lose all friction material on the plates and the clutch won't grip at all....i.e. the car will not be able to move! I've had two clutches go on me and slip for a while, and one time I had a throw out bearing take a crap...that gave no warning, just one day it was super hard to get into any gear, maybe I could find it 1/10 times. But if the car was off, I could shift into any gear just fine. I drove home in second and replaced the clutch.

I've only owned manuals over the past 13-14 years and almost all were cable clutches. I LOVE them!!

[nickycritic]

Hahaha. Did anyone else notice how depressed he got after he found out it was definitely the clutch? "So, I'm Eric the car guy I'm gna have to replace this fucking clutch".

[tatichadow]

Eric the The car

You always pop up when I'm trying to figure out issues with my car/cars... Thank you for the knowledge my guy.

It has saved me plenty of money.

[Zangle]

Purchased a 2001 Focus with 5-speed to teach my wife how to drive manual. She liked driving it so much that we sold her minivan and I began replacing the struts and other small problems. It has been a fantastic car for our family and was very surprised when both kid car-seats fit behind my 6-foot frame.

Wife was doing very well driving this car till about a month ago, then she started riding the clutch and leaving it in fourth. I am positive the clutch is on its way out. It doesn't catch right away in first and sounds like a new drive easing out with just a bit to much gas. Also, this is hard to be sure with our icy roads as of lately, but while driving if you get on the throttle in any gear it just revs and slowly accelerates like I am driving on ice. Even if the roads look dry it is difficult to know for sure (Alaska).

Thanks for the videos. 

[danr]

Good to see you stressed the freeplay checkout. In addition to slippage another reason to replace a clutch is "chatter" upon initial release. Of course make sure engine mounts are OK before you condemn a clutch for chatter issues.

OK, old VW Bug clutch story (there are thousands, I will just tell one). Many times a car came in and the owner says "I let the clutch out and the car does not move". One thing you want to check before you pull the engine and get into clutch repair is if one of the axle nuts has loosened up. These nuts are supposed to be tightened 'really tight" but sometimes they come loose. When the nut is loose the groves on the soft drum can be worn away by the much harder steel of the axle. If a one axle spins inside the drum the Bug does not move The fix is a new drum (with intact spline grooves) and tighten that axle nut down. Now you are a hero for the day as the customer is on his/her way and paid only a fraction of what they were expecting to pay.

[raydavies]

A bad clutch on a 2002 focus is called Totalled.

[MrMatsumoto]

I guess my clutch is good, I Just suck at driving

[lostbuffalo]

Eric, I just found your channel, and after watching it I've learned several things I can do to repair my clutch. THANK YOU.

[spelunkerd]

This kind of video, with emphasis on diagnosis, is absolute gold. Having the wisdom to make the diagnosis with certainty is what separates the wise from the weiner. Of course there are exceptions, and even uncertainty, for any diagnosis. Therefore knowing the exceptions, and knowing what rare treatable circumstance to look for before pronouncement, is critical.

Thanks.

[yeetbomb]

When your engine is making a lotta noise but ya ain't going no where, it's probably the clutch

[MultiTelan]

You, sir, are the win. You helped me learn something today, and properly diagnose the apparently abused clutch on my bought-used 1995 SL1.

[ModMINI]

I worked on a Toyota 4x4 pickup that had a hydraulic clutch operation and an adjustable linkage behind the clutch pedal. The owner complained of difficulty getting the car in gear and shifting -- meaning the clutch wasn't full disengaging because the pedal was too high. We lengthened the adjustor to enable full clutch disengagement. 

[ericthecarguy]

@Tom64o They do actually. In your case however I'd be checking the linkage to make sure it's not loose or misadjusted. It's also very important to use Honda fluid in the transmission.

[TheRedQueen]

This place looks like the inside of Los Santos customs from GTA V lol 

[BrickByBrickVets]

I love the man’s honesty right off the bat! Sold me he is a good mechanic, and a real man! 👊

[Spandexius]

Cheers man... This has helped me with my 77' beetle... Keep losing power and jerking while shifting up... I thought it may be engine trouble but now I will review the clutch! Keep up the great work... Peace!

[realkewlmann]

It really depends how well you're using it and where (city or highway) you drive your car often. My friend's car's clutch had to be replaced at 85k kilometers. 110k miles is pretty good if you ask me.

[bradysolaem]

Eric your echo is godly are you one of the car gods?