Transmission: clutch/or something else.

[Sotarts]

Well, I did some hard launching on a Saturday night (week before). Sunday I drove only to my buddy's home, normal driving. Clutch engagement/pedal on Sunday felt just as before Saturday--engaging not right off the floor, not at the very top--just perfect, very strong clutch grip as usual.

Monday I drove to work and clutch felt like it's engaging almost all the way off the floor suddenly, even was SLIPPING when I pushed it after I shifted to 2nd! WTF! Since Monday, it slips when I accellerate hard, especially after shifting into 2nd. Pedal effort doesn't seem to have changed.

When the problem occured, the annoying rotational-grinding noise in transmission at idle has completely disappeared (previous consistent problem/annoyance).

Recap:
-The clutch engages much higher off the floor than before--just like my stock Laser FWD worn out clutch.
-Clutch slips now.
-Rotational-griding in the transmission at idle is completely gone (previously long-time present condition).
-No change in pedal effort.

The car is '90 AWD with Clutch Masters #2500 clutch, stock flywheel. I don't know how many miles on the clutch--I've bought the car recently. I've put on no more than 500 miles on the car.

Can someone provide me with some insight? Do I need a new clutch? What esle could have possibly gone wrong, if not worn-out disk? Does't seem like the clutch would go out overnight without any warning.

 

[Sotarts]

Now it even slips in 3rd when I push it. Many times, after pushing it, smells like candle wax is burning (really close to that smell at least), or something.

Surely someone must know what's up?

 

[Thomas91169]

or something like burning fish? has the sort of pugnent stench that seems to linger for hours in the interior. i know, i learnt how to drive manuals on my car 6 months ago. first couple of races i burned the clutch pretty bad, i learnt how to drive it better. but a couple weeks ago i went to race my buddy's 300zx from a stop, and i burnt it horribly, hit 2nd and the clutch finally gripped at about 5k in 2nd. i lost. but later that week, i just got on it quickly to pass a car and get in that lane to turn, mind you this was from a stop. and i let out the clutch as usual and it just seemed not to want to catch, almost as if i was holding the clutch halfway engaged, but i wasnt. i even looked down at the pedal with my foot off it.

needless to say i will be getting a act2100 pretty soon.

 

[calcifer]

Yeah, I beleive that is your clutch. My Laser did the exact same thing when I first bought it. It actually lasted about a year before it finally totally died (no engagement).

 

[Sotarts]

That doesn't really help me.

Should I replace only the disk?
What about the rotational-grinding noise disappearing?
There's much less grind when going into 3rd now.
How does this happen overnight? Previous day barely driven and it was perfectly fine... A LOT of pedal movement in engagement range disappeared.

Anyone?

 

[Eclipse90GSX]

yeah i have the same problem...does it make like a grating noise when u punch the gas in second or first, or at least slip if u punch the gase but when u ease on it, its fine, till it gets to higher rpm's then it starts to slip?

mine does NOT move in first or second, i dunno why...
but it points out to spilled coolant on the clutch disc....i have to replace the disk, that blows..

let us know when u find out whats wrong

 

[Sotarts]

let us know when u find out whats wrong

If someone doesn't tell me exactly what's wrong, I'll just replace the flywheel along with clutch (ACT units) and be done with it. I don't have time/facilities to search out what's exactly wrong.