PunchedGuava

I've recently been having problems with my clutch. I bought the car at 179k miles and I'm not sure if clutch was replaced.

Problem is the clutch feels like it's slipping, not sure though. Before I start the car and when I push in the clutch, I feel no pressure. After the car runs for a bit I can feel a little more feedback on the clutch.

Today, I started the car and pushed the clutch to try and put it in gear and it didn't want to shift. I couldn't go to any gear, like the clutch wasn't engaged..?

After I turned the car off, I was able to shift through the gears. I waited a bit, then turned the car back on and I was able to get it moving. Clutch still felt iffy though. However, shifts are smooth.

What could be the issue?

spunkythewitch

Hi! I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX and have had that problem twice, 5 years apart.

I had to replace the "spring" part of the clutch, although they recommend changing everything. The second time around I was moving from Florida to Washington state...so, I did not have the time to do it, but wish I had now (4 years after the last replacement) because my clutch is starting to make a loud squeaky noise and sometimes does not engage fully either.

My personal recommendation is that you change at least the spring of the clutch as soon as possible, and even the whole thing if money is not an issue. Otherwise, you might have to do it down the line, a few years later, like I did.

When what you describe happened to me, I personally wanted to wait to see if it would happen again, until one day I was driving on a 65 mph road passing someone, and when I went to switch into 5th gear, it would not. I started losing speed and it would not get into any gear. It was pretty scary actually, and I finally managed to put it in first gear and drove to a nearby Midas. They fixed it rather quickly and altogether it was ~$250. I did not change the whole thing and it happened again on my move across the country, 5 years later, only that time I had to use my flip flop to lift up the clutch back to its upper position constantly until I decided to just stay in one gear until I had to get off the highway. I had a car full of people and a U-Haul behind, and it was totally unable to switch gear by the time I needed to deccelerate out of the highway, and barely made it to a parking lot before being absolutely unable to change from the neutral position (even with any amount of force) and had the car towed to the nearest Honda dealer.

I hope this helps. This is something that I expect I will have to change again, and it sounds like it is the same problem as you are having.

GOOD LUCK!

PunchedGuava

I just realized I haven't checked the clutch fluid.. it was pretty low, refilled it and it seems ok now.. lol

Hopefully that will fix my issue, we'll see.

Thanks Spunky, I'll keep your experience in mind.