Recently my RPMs have been running about 4k+ at about 75-80 mph.

This seems pretty high and I recall it used to be in the 3k at those speeds.

Any ideas what may be causing this?

I noticed my sig isn't showing.
It's a '92 Civic LX, 1.5 liter, 5 Speed Manual.

 

Need to know the year of your car, which engine, and which transmission.

The only think I could think might cause that on a manual transmission Civic would be a slipping clutch.

If it's an automatic, I can't help you. Those things work by magic and fairy dust to me.

 

Since the car is at home right now i'm unable to pull the engine and trans numbers.
I'll have to post those later.

 

should be the clutch

 

I see now it's a manual. I agree it's the clutch. That's the only thing that could cause that in a manual.

 

After driving it a few more weeks it doesn't feel like it's the clutch going.
At least I don't see the obvious signs of a clutch going.
To me being in 5th gear w/ no shifting on the highway doesn't make a whole lot of sense to say it's the clutch.

I know i have some front end issues in the steering (i think rack and pinion area). Something like that cause the wheels to spin faster or slower than the engine?

 

the rack and pinion have no effect on how fast the wheels spin. The clutch starting to go means that its not grabbing like it used to. Meaning the engine is spinning faster than the clutch can grab it, making your motor work harder. Also check your wheel bearings. To do this, jack your car up and try wobbling the wheel inward and outward from the car. If there is a good amount of play in that area I would also replace those. good luck.

 

Wheel bearings were replaced within this last year.
Is there a way on these older cars to check the clutch w/o dropping the trans?

 

thats the only way i know how to check it visibly. Another way to tell is shuddering when taking off.

 

I don't think i can rely on the shuddering when taking off since i need to replace the rack and pinion.

The right side jumps around when driving and makes a ticking noise when turning.

 

are u sure thats the rack?? axles click when turning tight when they start to go bad and your clutch could be going out as well. I would take it to a firestone or something like that and get it checked out. just to be sure.

 

I'll investigate all those things and see what may need to be done.
I just don't want to be throwing a lot of $$ into it, since it's a second daily driver I got for $700

 

if you really think its the rack because its shuddering, just try tightening it. normally if the rack is shuddering it is just loose. but if it seems tight i would try axles and clutch. good luck.

 

Well you can see the rubber boot jumping up and down when you jack the car up and let the wheels spin freely, and when it jumps you can hear the "ticking" sound.
Plus my car's steering is very lose. Slight turn on the wheel moves the car a pretty good ways. So i'm looking at the r&p and the bushings in the steering rack.

 

a lot of symptoms lol. i know money may be tight but maintenance is a must if you want to keep the car going. I would just take it to a local firestone like i said before and at least just let them diagnose it if not replace it.

 

Thanks for all the info, i'll check w/ some reputable mechanics around here.

 

slow down?
4k doing 75-80 seems about right for a si trans that or your vss is going out

 

Hey alex,
I would agree w/ you on the RPM's except it used to run well under that when I first started driving it.
I used to do 80 and would be in the 3's

VSS?