I am having an issue that has me stumped! The car is a 99 civic dx, 5 speed, pretty much stock. The issue i have noticed is that when the temperature gets pretty hot, and i am in traffic, i feel like my clutch is beginning to slip before it actually engages. I have done replaced the clutch and flywheel as recent as about 6 months ago, and it has till recent began doing this. Is there some sensor i am not aware of that may be going bad? is there something else to this issue that some of you may have experienced?

 

Does it give off a distinct odor? And is your master clutch full on fluid?

 

clutch's HATE the heat that's what does it in along with city driving it as you're "riding" the clutch causing it to heat up more then highway driving. a good test is go into 2nd or 3rd grear and coast at 3K+/- RPM's than give it 70%+ throttle if you notice the revs climbing faster then the speed you've got a slipping clutch more than likely.

 

i have not noticed any particular smells at all, then again i am more worried about it grabbing on more than anything especially on hills. But i will keep that in mind next time it happens. as far as the master clutch, i replaced that a couple of weeks ago because i would constantly have to top it off due to leaking, so that is working in tip top shape! like i mentioned, it only seems to happen on hot days ( i live near the ocean, so hot for me begins in the 80 degree range) when i am moving slowly in traffic and not getting much airflow in. i suspected something to do with the cooling system, but coolant is topped off, and temp gauge operates where it is supposed to...?

 

im really good about not riding the clutch some much. At stops, i usually just put in in neutral to let it "cool down" as i like to think. The test u mention B Swapped is exactly what occurs in every gear intermittently though. i could fire it up now and it will respond perfectly fine. is there anyway to fix a slipping clutch if this is the case, or just replace it again?

 

if it slips in hot weather one way to cool it down is rev to like 1200-1500 rpms itll help cool the flywheel and "spin" some heat off but its prob time to replace if you bought the car and never changed it then its time. if your mostly stock and plan on staying that way either get a oem clutch or a exedy oe clutch ($100) best thing that you could do.

 

do you see any oil leaking down between the motor and trans by the inspection plate? if so the rear main seal could be leaking and dripping on the flywheel and clutch causing it to glaze the clutch causing it to slip.....

 

sounds very possible! will inspect and report back.