Whats "Clutch Slipping"

[TooFastTooG]

Hi guys, Im a noob and since my last car was an auto I dont know this. But im looking at a car that looks to be in decent shape and I have yet to go look at it but the owner says it runs great but the "clutch is slipping" what does this mean? And what would I be lookin at in cost to fix. Or should I just stay away. The car is a 95 Talon TSI AWD Thanks in advance

EDIT: Mods sorry I completly forgot to put this in the tranny section, move if need be please

 

[Eclipsemblue]

if clutch is slippin that means its worn out, this can mean teh car was raced alot of the person who last owned the car or they suck at clutch, in a clutch u got the friction pads that like clamp together when those pads are worn out by bad clutching or raceing you shred making them unable to support the HP you are putting to the clutch. In simple terms you just need a new clutch, no biggie i did mine in i think 6-7 hours. That inlcudes break time and slacking off scratching my ass

 

[WhiteCloud]

Clutch slipping is when the clutch disc does not have a firm mating surface against the flywheel; either because there is a problem with the surface itself, or because something is preventing enough pressure from mating the two. In order to drive your car you have to have a certain amount of slippage, or you would jerk around. I assume when someone selling a car admits "slippage" it indicates a problematic amount of slippage. A new clutch will run you $800-1000 ($4-500 parts, $4-500 labor) installed, including labor (if I had to guess; I'm sure other members can give you exact quotes on what they paid).

For an idea of how exactly a clutch works, check this out:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch2.htm

 

[Defiant]

im looking at a car that looks to be in decent shape and I have yet to go look at it but the owner says it runs great but the "clutch is slipping" what does this mean?

It just means that instead of completely gripping, there's a bit of sliding between the flywheel and the transmission input shaft. Pick up a cold beverage, and it slides out of your hand and falls to the kitchen floor. That was slippage. In a car, it's a couple of discs not gripping one another, a lot of very quick heating, a horrid smell, and a tow truck.... 0r, a very, very delicate use of the throttle on flat ground to get you to a shop.

And what would I be lookin at in cost to fix.

New clutch- friction disk and pressure plate, with throwout bearing, and a resurfacing of the flywheel. Around $600 for a shop to do, usually.

Or should I just stay away. The car is a 95 Talon TSI AWD

Not if the rest of the car seems sound. Anything used is going to need repairs, that's often why they're selling it.

 

[dave99gst]

To get an idea of what it feels like -- push your (or somones) clutch in 1/2- 3/4 of the way down and then floor it.
that alone isnt enough to stay away.

 

[TooFastTooG]

Thanks guys!