bunjimobile

I'm sure my clutch is fine as there is no clutch slippage or burning smell what so ever throughout the entire rpm range.

But my clutch engagement is pretty screwed from time to time......it doesn't happen all the time but after an hour of stop and go traffic it starts. This problem is only with first gear.......

I need to do two things in order to have smooth engagement:

1.)keep the revs above 2500rpm (normal engagement rpm is between 1500-1900rpm)

2.)slip the clutch longer then usual

If I don't do any of the above the clutch will grip right away and the car will almost stall.

what could this be? glazed clutch? worn out clutch? The car has 40,000 kms on it. I've had the car for 4 yrs now and this problem just started this year.............any ideas........

xviper

Have you ever changed your clutch fluid? I would suggest this is the first thing you do. When the drivetrain gets hot from sitting in stop and go traffic, the clutch fluid can get hot, too and if it has high water content or trapped air, this will make for weird engagement. Also, your clutch may be showing signs of wear and age, depending upon how you've been using it. When it gets hot, it can become a bit "grabby" and this is what you may be experiencing.
Change the fluid first and see if this has any affect on the car's drivability.

bunjimobile

I see.......well the clutch fluid was changed with motul rbf 600 aproximately 4000 kms ago......maybe less but the clutch is definitely grabby after long stop and go traffic....it goes back to normal after it cools down(usually after parking the car for about an 1hr)............so these are signs of a dying clutch then according to your reply.........thanks for your reponse........

RACER

It could also be a heat-bog issue. You let out the clutch, the motor bogs, the clutch begins to lock earlier due to the engine bogging.

PrimoAP1

bunjimobile

heat bog............hmph.....is that a common issue with this car? cuz I mean I live in vancouver canada where the temperature now is only around the mid teens and plus I also have the aem cai...wouldn't that help as well?

If this is a common problem, (it has never happened before....it just started during my 4th year of ownership), how do you guys deal with it? Any solutions because it is a major pain in city driving when it starts....major pain...

xviper

Do you know if the clutch fluid change was done correctly? Air could have gotten in or the fluid wasn't from a sealed can. It's cheap enough to do another one - far cheaper than to just go and do a clutch job only find out you have air/water in the clutch hydraulics.

bunjimobile

Is there a quick and easy inspection to check if there's air or water in my clutch fluid?
The person who did it for me is the owner of anj racing.....I believe he's known on this forum as ajpwr. He's works on most of the s2000 in vancouver so I trust that he did a good and proper job.
I definitely don't plan on changing my clutch as there is no slipping or burning smell at all and I also plan on selling the car next year during summer season.
changing the clutch fluid sounds like the cheapest solution to the problem....that is if it is the cause of the problem. The heat bog theory seems to hold some weight as well.
I've read quite a few complains about the s2000's tendency to bog. I'm trying to see if anyone on this forum has the same problem as me.......I'm sure I'm not the only one with this weird clutch engagement. hey viper does your s2000 have the same problem?

xviper

Then I think you're safe. Ben knows what he's doing.