Jesse H

98 prelude
92K miles

When we got the car I did some maintenence stuff including bleeding the clutch. The old fluid was so filthy it looked like it's never ever been flushed.

Flushed out all the old fluid and bled out the air. Car drives fine and dandy for about a week when my gf tells me that it's becoming difficult to shift. I drive it and confirm yup, it's difficult to shift. So I bleed the system three more times using different methods and still no good. It'll shift ok for awhile then progressively get worse. If I pump the clutch vigourously between shifts it will slide into the next gear with noticeably less effort.

I don't see any leaks from the master or slave cylinder but for $10 I picked up a rebuild kit for the slave and did that. The old seals looked ok the spring was rusty. Bled the clutch and test it out. Like before it'll shift ok for a while then get worse. Pumping between shifts improves it somewhat but not like before I fudged with the stupid thing.

So I pick up a master cylinder and replace that. Old MC was definately leaking. Bleed. Drive and same frikkin thing. At this point I'm frustrated but convince myself another quart of fluid and very careful bleeding will fix it. Nope. I've also noticed that the pedal is harder to press. When the car is running, at a stop, clutch disengaged and I shift into 1st it clunks and the car very slightly lurches forward as if the clutch engaged momentarily.

Oh, and the clutch release fork squeaks whenever the clutch is disengaged. Can't remember if it's always done that. So...

1. Still air in the lines that'll require some pressure bleeding to get out
2. Bad clutch or pressure plate
3. Bent or loose release fork

I'm stumped and probably taking it to a shop.

4LugR

iono man, id take it to a shop too, b4 u sink ne more money into it.. it could be a clutch problem. (obviously.. i kno) it may need a new throw out bearing. did u hear ne squeaking, wen u were in neutral, with the clutch not pushed in??

Jesse H

Squeaking is only apparent when the clutch pedal is in motion. I'm certain it's originating for inside the tranny. Almost certain it's the release fork.

Press *sqeak*
Release *squeak*

Gf just told me while driving today the car stalled while in 1st gear despite the pedal being pressed all the way down. This tells there's still some air in the lines since it's not allowing the clutch to disengage completely.

blah, I miss my CRX's cable clutch.

machine4321

i have a feeling it is the pressure plate it self ...its possible some of the fingers are gone ..how much travle is there on the slave cylinder

Jesse H

Yeah, I have a feeling as well after some thought since the slave cylinder still extends 100%. That or the throw out bearing.

steveobb4

There is a TSB(tech service bulletin) for a creaking pedal sound everytime the pedal is depressed and its the Big spring in the clutch pedal assembly. Says to replace the spring and grease it. It could still be something else but maybe this will help.

v4lu3s

i bet its air in the lines.

vtec_lude

have you changed the transmission fluid?