2001_s2000

If I'm in first gear and start off from a stop, when it hits vtec, it feels like one of rear wheels is slipping, the rpms keep going but the car seems to stop for a split second. It's strange. Never felt this happen before. It's almost like the tire is spinning around the rim for a split second, but that can't be it. I'm stumped. And I can get it to do it in 2nd gear as well, right when it hits vtec, it feels like the power on the rear wheels cuts out for a split second. Ideas???

riegerm3

sounds like the clutch is slipping

S2KIrishman

^exactly what i was thinking...do a quick test, take the car up to 35 mph in third and then hit the accelerater...the rpms should rise as your speed does, if there is a delay or the rpms rise quicker, then your clutch is slipping

s2cho

^^^ better way. go in a upwards hill going 30, stick it in 5th and floor it. if the rpms go up and you dont increase speed, you sh&ts slippin.

Carbon Blue

just put it in 6th around 35mph and floor it, if the rpms shoot up and the car doesnt acccelerate its the clutch slipping.

2001_s2000

I'm almost positive it only happens in 1st or 2nd gear. For ex, say I'm in 1st gear driving at 5k rpm, then floor it while still in 1st, it feels like wheel spin, but I don't think it is since tires are new. It's harder to get it to do it in 2nd, and I know for a fact it's never done it in 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th.

steamedturtle

This test will not always indicate a slipping clutch. The clutch in my ap1 is starting to go, but not according to this test. Nevertheless, the OP's problem does sound like a slipping clutch.

TougeS2k

I dont know a ton, but imagining the s2k drivetrain idk what else besides clutch can be causing a "slipping" sensation besides actual traction loss. you'd only feel one slip then boom if it were the diff or something, like i said, not an expert

2001_s2000

Forgot to update you guys. It was LOW OIL!!! I can't believe this. It was that simple. Added a half of quart, since it was pretty low, and instantly back to normal. I did find one other post that suggested this could be the issue, but didn't think to check. When vtec tries to engage with low oil, it feels like rear is slipping, but it's just protecting your engine.

You would think how advanced cars are, they would TELL you when your oil is LOW. What don't cars do this? Why do cars have an oil light there if they don't tell you there is low oil?

steamedturtle

As discussed in another thread, the oil light doesn't come on in this car until it's almost beyond repair.