First off, I have a 1997 Honda Civic ex coupe. And i've had it for over 2 years now with the usual but predictable problems: blown fuses, flat tires, etc. However, just when i thought everything was fine, i started to notice that my clutch was slipping at higher rpm's. So i tried my best not to go past 4k ever since, only occasionaly when entering the freeway did i hammer it past that. Then, my mpg's started to drop slightly. At first i thought it was just the different gas used in winter that was causing this. I checked tire pressure ( rolling on 14 inch rims on 195/60/14 tires) to ensure maximum performance. Time went on and spring hit, now im getting 280 FREEWAY. My first thought was that it was the clutch. I also have a feeling that my throwout bearing is out too (clicks when in gear). Agian, i just rode it off. Then today came by and I noticed that i have a definite louder click coming from my engine bay. Sounded like it came from the tranny. In addition, sometimes it gets so bad that my car doesn't even spin the tires below 4-5k in 1ST!!! Then sometimes it acts as though it fixes itself and drives normally. I am just wondering what you guys think, should i just change that p.o.s. clutch out, or ride on it again for a while (gas is 3.05 regular now and rising). Any other suggestions to why I might be getting shitty milage and why my car is acting wierd.

Also, in just two weeks:

Back trunk latch broke, now it won't close
Right headlight gets dim occasionally and dies (it melted the plug holding the bulb)
keep getting blown turn signal fuses ( went through three this week)
Rear deck popped out of place

What a headache!

edit: Stock motor, never modified except for intake which is now off

 

Did you buy the car used? That sounds like way too many problems back to back.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sohc_coupe24 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> However, just when i thought everything was fine, i started to notice that my clutch was slipping at higher rpm's. I also have a feeling that my throwout bearing is out too (clicks when in gear). Sounded like it came from the tranny.

-In addition, sometimes it gets so bad that my car doesn't even spin the tires below 4-5k in 1ST!!! </TD></TR></TABLE>

If you think it's your clutch, you shouldn't even be trying to spin the tires, or you might end up with no clutch at all. Have you ever changed a clutch on your own? You can save quite a bit in labor if you can do it yourself. A stock clutch and throw out bearing isn't terribly expensive, though you might consider saving up for an aftermarket unit if you're planning on adding more power in the future.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rodrez. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you think it's your clutch, you shouldn't even be trying to spin the tires, or you might end up with no clutch at all. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly. I knew my clutch was going (and quick might I add) and I kept driving my car. It has gotten so bad that I can barely drive my car more than 40 feet.

 

Yea i bought the car used back in 2004 but it was in immaculate condition. I haven't ever changed the clutch on my car personally yet, but before i purchased the vehicle the previous owner said he just had the clutch changed. He even gave me the receipt. Maybe i'll buy an aftermarket clutch kit and slap it on before summer really hits. Thanks for the info.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sohc_coupe24 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the previous owner said he just had the clutch changed. He even gave me the receipt. Maybe i'll buy an aftermarket clutch kit and slap it on before summer really hits. Thanks for the info.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Haha, but if you're as hard on the car as your other post says, you may have cooked the stock clutch

 

take care of your car you cant expect it to run **** forever without having a problem

 

Haha...Here comes the 6 puck..

 

get a tune up. Air, fuel filter, new spark plugs, cap, rotor, o2 sensor, etc...dunno about that noise though, give us more details, does the noise go away completely after awhile? Do you hear it when your on the clutch? Valve job? Maybe a new clutch will solve your problem, remember to resurface your flywheel.

 

I agree, i need to do a tune up. But those o2 sensors cost a grip. 80 for the one before the cat, 120 after the cat ( prices are from kragen) AS for the noise, a long time ago it only sounded lightly when in gear. NOw i can hear it in neutral but lightly. In gear, it is getting louder.

 

man you can probably pick up some working 02 sensors from the junk yard fo free man

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHC4life 96 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Exactly. I knew my clutch was going (and quick might I add) and I kept driving my car. It has gotten so bad that I can barely drive my car more than 40 feet. </TD></TR></TABLE>

lol yea I did the same thing. Babied the car and it lasted a few months, until I got pissed off one day, dropped the clutch a little too hard and killed it completly. Oops.

That does sound like a lot of randomly odd problems back to back...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sohc_coupe24 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I agree, i need to do a tune up. But those o2 sensors cost a grip. 80 for the one before the cat, 120 after the cat ( prices are from kragen) AS for the noise, a long time ago it only sounded lightly when in gear. NOw i can hear it in neutral but lightly. In gear, it is getting louder.</TD></TR></TABLE>

change whole clutch kit, and resurface flywheel, make sure it comes w/ a throwout bearing, replace that too

 

lol...yea im trying to be gentle these days. Thanks for the info will try to grab a new clutch soon.

 

Dude I remember when I also bought my 97 Coupe and it had problems back to back. First it was a tire then the rim, then the brakes, axle, alignment, motor mount, leak and all. Just until now I have actually gone 3 weeks without something wrong. So I plan on babying the car for a little while longer and im about to do a tune up since its been so good

 

replace the clutch and throw out bearing and pilot bearing.

my question is, why are you trying to spin the tires in a stock civic?

 

Spinning the tires doesn't mean mad burnouts. There are times when a person does get pisssed of and i just use my car as my stress reliever. Im pretty sure some of u do too. For me spinning the tires is just dumping(feathering) the clutch to do a quick 2-3 second tire spin. I have never even spun the tires for longer than that nor do i do it on a daily basis. And i don't see why there is anything wrong doing it on a "stock" civic. Im positive most of us had the smell of burning rubber when we got our first eg/ek/ej watever it may be when it was still stock.

thank you for you input

 

Modified by CardDealer at 2:28 PM 11/16/2006

 

dude just change your clutch thats it. and the blowing fuses are because one of your turn sign power wires are grounding out. thats not even a headache man.

 

lol, don't worry about it man, you shouldn't have to explain it, we all know everybody in here is perfect and they've never burnt out because they're all conservative drivers..which is why they all have souped up GSRs....