Evaluating the Health of Your Clutch.... ?

[Raza]

I've done that in my car.

On level ground?

[TBR]

The engine should stall if you let the clutch out in gear without raising rpm.

So let it out like you would normally? Both the Prelude and the Outback will go without gas if you let the clutch out slow enough.

[The Pirate]

No, let it out quickly.  It should grab, lurch and stall.  If not, there is a problem.

[TBR]

So basically if you ever stall you're still good?

[The Pirate]

Basically, yes.  If the car will stall, it essentially means that clutch is still grabbing.  A clutch that is close to on it's way out would cruise ahead smoothly in that scenario, due to it slipping.

There are other factors as well, but a grabbing clutch is generally still in good shape.

[Eye of the Tiger]

How about, if your clutch works fine, then don't worry about it?

[TBR]

Okay, then my clutch is definitely good :P (not that I stall all the time, but I do have those days).

[The Pirate]

How about, if your clutch works fine, then don't worry about it?

That's my philosophy.

[MX793]

On level ground?

Yes.  Might not have quite been 20, I didn't have a huge run of space.  Definately in the teens.  I'll have to find a big level parking lot and try for 20 mph without touching the gas pedal.

[TBR]

My brother truck goes 30+ when idling, it's ridiculous (302 with 4AT).

[Raghavan]

I'll have to see how fast the Accord goes when it's idling...

[850CSi]

I've done this accidentally, and it's a sure way to check your clutch:? When stationary, let the clutch out while the car is running and in gear.? When I did it, I thought it was in neutral, and never bothered to check before I let the clutch out.

You'll still stall, even with a bad clutch. Also, if I let it out slowly, the car won't likely stall, it'll roll, partially because of the delay valve.

[S204STi]

Like Faris said, even with a moderately worn clutch you might still stall if you just pop it.? I recommend Pancor's method of loading it in 3rd or 4th gear on a hill.? If it is very lurchy/jumpy, you likely have a worn out clutch.

[The Pirate]

You'll still stall, even with a bad clutch. Also, if I let it out slowly, the car won't likely stall, it'll roll, partially because of the delay valve.

Yeah, but with a bad clutch it doesn't lurch and buck.  I didn't clarify this in my original post (actually, the whole post was rather vague).  I've done this in a car with a bad clutch, and it stalls, but it's a rather smooth, creamy stall.  With a good clutch, it will lunge your car into the rear of the car parked ahead of you. 

[S204STi]

Yeah, but with a bad clutch it doesn't lurch and buck.? I didn't clarify this in my original post (actually, the whole post was rather vague).? I've done this in a car with a bad clutch, and it stalls, but it's a rather smooth, creamy stall.? With a good clutch, it will lunge your car into the rear of the car parked ahead of you.?

LOL "Smooth, creamy stall."

[850CSi]

My car bucks like a Bronco when I do something it doesn't like with the clutch.

The reason why I'm asking is this:
It may be just me, but I'm feeling like the clutch is a little lighter than when I bought the car (I like heavy clutches), and it vibrates a little more (ie I can feel more of the engine). I'm a bit obsessive over clutch health.

[The Pirate]

Your car is relatively low mileage, right?  My car has 116K HARD miles, and the clutch still feels great.  I would have to believe that a BMW clutch is going to be tougher than a Honda clutch.  It is probably a hydraulic clutch, you could try checking the fluid.  I wouldn't be too concerned though, the bucking means it's grabbing, and that's a good thing.  As far as being lighter, your clutch leg probably got stronger. 


If it self-grenades and blows all kinds of driveline parts all over Route 41, then you can worry.   

[Raghavan]

I saw how fast the Accord goes when it idles... The speedo didn't even move.

[850CSi]

Your car is relatively low mileage, right?? My car has 116K HARD miles, and the clutch still feels great.? I would have to believe that a BMW clutch is going to be tougher than a Honda clutch.? It is probably a hydraulic clutch, you could try checking the fluid.? I wouldn't be too concerned though, the bucking means it's grabbing, and that's a good thing.? As far as being lighter, your clutch leg probably got stronger.?

It could defenitely be that, I was still rehabbing after knee reconstruction when I first started driving my car.

[Rupert]

LOL "Smooth, creamy stall."

Must have beer on the mind...

[Raza]

Yes.  Might not have quite been 20, I didn't have a huge run of space.  Definately in the teens.  I'll have to find a big level parking lot and try for 20 mph without touching the gas pedal.

With the clutch all the way out?

[MX793]

With the clutch all the way out?

Yes.  I put the car in first and ease the clutch out.  Then shift into 2nd once rolling and let the clutch out.  Then 3rd, then 4th...  Basically run through the gears without touching the gas.

I tried it the other day and got into 4th and the motor was lugging pretty badly.  Got up to maybe 13 mph.  But the engine was warm, as I had just gotten back from a 50 mile trip, and only idling at like 600 rpm.  With the engine cold and idling at 1000 rpm, I think it would go faster.

[Raza]

Yes.  I put the car in first and ease the clutch out.  Then shift into 2nd once rolling and let the clutch out.  Then 3rd, then 4th...  Basically run through the gears without touching the gas.

I tried it the other day and got into 4th and the motor was lugging pretty badly.  Got up to maybe 13 mph.  But the engine was warm, as I had just gotten back from a 50 mile trip, and only idling at like 600 rpm.  With the engine cold and idling at 1000 rpm, I think it would go faster.

I didn't mean slowly.

[MX793]

I didn't mean slowly.

It doesn't take all that long since I shift once the motor is up to idle in each gear, which barely takes a second.