Author Topic: Help! I think my clutch is toast...Acura 2.2 CL (Read 9413 times)

acuragirl · « **on:** February 14, 2007, 10:35:43 pm »

Ok, I bought an Acura 2.2 CL in October of 06, and so far it has been driving fine. It is a manual tranny and it has 195K KMS on the OD. All of the sudden one day, I couldn't shift into 3rd gear. Well I forced the shifter into gear, and the problem persisted. The weather was above zero and slushy.

Now, a week later, it stalls in 1st gear, I have to start it in 2nd gear. We've had a cold snap here in Calgary, and my BF told me that it was because of the cold that it was so hard to shift...but I think the clutch must be shot.

I have to start the car in neutral, and I can use reverse, but not 1st gear, it just stalls. It doesn't seem to improve even when the car warms up after an hour of driving.

How much should a new clutch cost? I'm afraid of getting scammed by Acura dealership if I take it there...there might be something minor wrong, and they will tell me I need a new transmission....

Any advice from you knowledgable types would be highly apprecieated...

mdxtasy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2007, 10:40:03 pm »

Don't go to the dealership....go to a good indie.

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2007, 10:44:46 pm »

Agreed. Find a good independent shop: ask around for referrals and you're bound to find something.

acuragirl · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2007, 11:28:44 pm »

I was re-reading my last thread about this car, and rrocket offered to ship me all the parts to do the timing belt/water pump. I'd like to take you up on the offer if it still stands...I will find a good indie shop, but I would like to get all the required stuff done at once...This car was so fun to drive...smooth and quiet, responsive..I know I probably paid too much for it, but it's given me joy for the few months I've had it. I have the money to pay for the repairs so I want to get them done so I can keep driving my baby.

My boyfriend is hassling me because I didn't buy NEW... (I told you so etc.) I just don't want to spend that much on a car.. He agreed after the test drive that this car was miles ahead of all the others for the price.

Even a Honda Fit would have been around $20K after everything. Even if these repairs/maintenance cost me $3K, that's still around $10K for a sexy car...that drives like a dream.

How much should a clutch job cost?

barrie1 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2007, 11:36:00 pm »

How is the Master cylinder for the clutch as this car probably has a Hydrolic Clutch system. Are you sure its the clutch thats gone bad on this car?

initial_D · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2007, 11:37:01 pm »

$800 to $1000 or so.

... My boyfriend is hassling me because I didn't buy NEW... (I told you so etc.)

That deserves a few shakes to the head, maybe even a smack for saying that.

mdxtasy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2007, 11:41:02 pm »

No doubt. Eating depreciation isn't pretty on a new car.

A clutch job at an indie is under $1k. Water pump/timing belt is under $500. That's all with parts.

acuragirl · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2007, 01:55:23 am »

Well I'm assuming it's the clutch. Since I can't shift. The last time I drove it, I could only use 2nd and 4th gear. I could use 3rd, but it was so hard to put the stick into 3rd, that I was afraid I would break it...

Maybe the clutch can be repaired..that is why I wanted opinions from here before I head to the mechanic.

A friend recommended an indie shop called Camber Auto Services, off Blackfoot in Calgary.

duck · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2007, 05:10:43 am »

acuragirl , here is my lil advice. Phone up the dealer and ask to speak to someone in service then describe the problems. Ask for suggestions. Try this before going to the indie.

tortoise · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2007, 07:58:26 am »

If the cluch was to blame, shouldn't it be giving you grief in all gears?

tpl · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2007, 08:14:31 am »

Stalling in 1st gear ? Difficult to engage 3rd? I wonder if it is going into 3rd instead of first
Reverse is ok .. which is the other end of the gate no?

2nd and 4th are possibly using another part of the linkage altogether.

I wonder if this is a linkage problem on the gearbox. I have no idea what sort of linkage it is on an Acura but it is probably cables or assorted rods.

A linkage adjustment should not be expensive...one would hope.

safristi · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2007, 10:04:12 am »

Problem sounds like tpl says in the gearbox linkage...but if they are going in there definitely replace the clutch anyway once the tranny is dropped...........meanwhile enjoy one of these each time ya shift....

Leif · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2007, 02:34:06 pm »

My guess is its not the Clutch plate it self, but either the clutch fork, or the geal linkage...

When a clutch plate fails the gear box works fine, but you cant get the engine's power to the axels.

barrie1 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2007, 09:39:44 pm »

Is this a hydrolic clutch as if it is it could well be the clutch cylinder. It probably would be cheaper to repair then replacing the entire clutch assembly.

Leif · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2007, 10:13:42 pm »

The thing that makes me wonder if it is a hydrolic problem is the fact that its only on 2 gears.

If all the gears were being affected, then I might blame the hydrolics

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2007, 11:20:54 pm »

Agree with Barry, have a look at the clutch master and slave cylinder before getting the clutch changed. Always good to check the easy and cheap stuff first, clutches are neither.

In order of ease:

1) check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder is high enough

2) check the condition of the fluid (is it black and nasty? or clear and clean?)

3) if it is possible get someone to move the clutch pedal (engine off, master cylinder cap on!) while you eyeball the slave cylinder and see if it is moving the clutch lever smoothly and far enough. Check for fluid leaks, etc, signs of trouble.

I found this with a quick web search:

Quote

99_CL_girl
01-03-2006, 3:20 PM
I been noticing that when I shift to 1st & 2nd gear my shifter feels like its getting stuck. It hard to put it in those gears, but the rest are fine. I just replaced the clutch not even a year ago. Any ideas on what it could be??

and i already tried searching the web for answers & came up short handed.

A)

starboy2nv
02-20-2006, 1:56 PM
had the same prob with the old cL... changed the master and slave cylinder and the car drove like brand new...

A)

rajin_2.3cl
03-17-2006, 6:20 PM
so I finally got around to changing my clutch master and flushing the fluid.... that stuff was dirty as hell LOL

car shifted noticeably smoother, better clutch feel

http://cl.acurazine.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-176896.html

tpl · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2007, 07:05:37 am »

I am looking forward to the actual anser here. My bet is that its the linkage as that is what the symptoms show. However, I quite agree that while the car is on the lift one may as well replace the clutch.

I have driven a car with a failing Hydraulic clutch master cylinder ( in London Uk traffic at that) and the symptoms were quite different from those stated. To get the clutch to work one had to jab down on the pedal, change gear ( or go from neutral into 1st) and let up quickly before the clutch came off of its own accord. It made no difference which particular gears one was in.

acuragirl · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2007, 11:39:18 am »

I will ask about Master/Slave cylinders and fluid levels...although with the 500 collisions last week in Calgary from the weather, I think I'll be waiting for awhile to get in to the indie...

When I go out to start the car, it has to be in neutral..if it's in first it will turn over and stall. Once I get it started, if I try to put it into first, it seems like the first gear slot is blocked, but if I try to force it, it will go in, and then promptly stall. Also it seems to move the car forward, like a rocking motion when I'm trying to get it into first.

I put it into neutral and start the car again, put it into second, and it doesn't go in easy, but it goes in. I can accelerate but then it's nearly impossible to shift into 3rd..pysically impossible I mean. I thought at first it was the cold weather..but now I just want it to get to the garage and get checked...I'm borrowing another car for now.

Thanks for your help all...

tpl · « **Reply #18 on:** February 16, 2007, 03:52:16 pm »

let us know the outcome.

articsteve · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2007, 09:48:29 pm »

Quote from: initial_D on February 14, 2007, 11:37:01 pm

$800 to $1000 or so.

... My boyfriend is hassling me because I didn't buy NEW... (I told you so etc.)

That deserves a few shakes to the head, maybe even a smack for saying that.

Your boyfriend was right.

You needed a timing belt when you bought it. It's on the factory belt. In your climate you are really tempting fate.

Do not try and nickel and dime a repair shop by attempting to supply your own T-belt kit. If you supply the parts and something fails, perhaps because of a mistake by the mechanic, there is no warranty or any chance that they will make good.

In addition to the T-belt kit, you need a water pump, upper and lower rad hose and new anti-freeze. You bought a very under maintenanced vehicle. The anti=freeze will be like acid. That causes many major problems.

As for your tranny problems; I suspect it's going to cost you big. If it was a hydraulic issue by now your clutch pedal would be stuck on the floor and you would be grinding in every gear. Probably a bent fork due to a clutch problem.

Budget 2K.

Author Topic: Help! I think my clutch is toast...Acura 2.2 CL (Read 9413 times)

mdxtasy

mdxtasy