realmike15

Sometimes when I'm moving slowly out of a parking lot (slightly riding the clutch to remain at slow speed), I've noticed there's a delay disengaging the clutch. My foot is fully pressing the clutch down, but the engine starts to stutter like it's going to stall. The clutch always disengages fully before it actually stalls, but I'm just wondering if this is something I should worry about.

Before anyone asks, I'm 100% sure my foot is all the way to the floor when this is happening. I was thinking worn clutch (62k miles), but wouldn't that only cause it to engage late? Not disengage?

dc2-2-ap1

try replacing/flushing the clutch fluid and while you are at it remove the cdv
and yeah your clutch is probably on its way out but do both of the above before you decide to undergo a new clutch job.

steven975

It does sound like the clutch fluid needs to be bled and/or replaced.

You may as well do it when you do the brake fluid, which should be every 2-3 years anyway.

Saki GT

Its probably you dragging the clutch with no gas and the flywheel dragging the engine. Even after you release the clutch, the engine is struggling to pull the flywheel back up to speed without any gas from you. Or else, it could be the ECU dealing with a recent climate change.

How fast are you going and in what gear when you experience this?

realmike15

Usually first gear or reverse trying to pull out of a parking spot (can't actually remember if it's been in both 1st and Rev, don't remember). I'm going very slow, riding the clutch a bit so probably about as slow as the car can go.

Saki GT

It sounds like you're lugging the engine. Try to keep rpm around 1500-2000 when you're doing that, and you shouldn't see any issues.

realmike15

I'll give it a try. Thanks!

INDYMAC

This happens to me sometimes too, even with fresh fluid. As mentioned previously, I think it's a function of RPM's being too low (lugging).