Lag/high RPMs with Acceleration... 03 Eclipse

I have an 03 Eclipse GTS, 80,500 miles. Recently I noticed it starting to bog or lag when I accelerate. It's a manual transmission, so I'll be in a gear just coasting then when I go to accelerate a decent amount the RPMs go high, the car revs, and then after a second the RPMs drop, the car sounds normal, and I (finally) get acceleration.

I tried running some fuel injector cleaner through it, no success. It seemed to get worse with rain (got some rain yesterday and today and it was very laggy, worst yet), but it could just be coincidence and just getting worse? Been going on for about a month now. Suspected bad gas, but after a few refills and running it damn near empty, no change. Premium gas only.

I'm not sure what to think of it. Just had the spark plugs changed 12,000 miles ago. New timing belt, water pump, computer (warranty), spark plug wires 5000 ago (that was a fun 2 weeks). Not real excited to put much more money into it, and given my last trip for a routine timing belt change came up with those other repairs, I'm worried if I take it in it'll be another 3 things wrong and I really can't afford that.

Any suggestions of what it might be?

Try the 2000-on up forum, this forum is for 1G and 2G but good luck w/ your problem.

Moved to Eclipse 2000+ section...

So it revs up then then (with the pedal still down) revs drop off then the car accels???

If thats the case, sounds like you clutch needs to be replaced.
Isn't gripping right away and is slipping.

If it just feels boggy when your in upper RPM's, check your intake. These things are notorious for sucking up against the hood, thus restricting airflow. (kinda like covering the sucking end of a vacuum cleaner.)

So it revs up then then (with the pedal still down) revs drop off then the car accels???

If thats the case, sounds like you clutch needs to be replaced.
Isn't gripping right away and is slipping.

If it just feels boggy when your in upper RPM's, check your intake. These things are notorious for sucking up against the hood, thus restricting airflow. (kinda like covering the sucking end of a vacuum cleaner.)

First- thanks for moving this post


Yeah I was worried it might be a clutch problem...

I wasn't sure if that was a legitmate reason since once it's in gear it's in gear and the clutch wouldn't be an issue.

So let's say I'm in 5th gear just coasting at 3,000 rpms on the freeway and I want to accelerate. I push the pedal down and it lags for about a second. During that second the RPMs go up to maybe 4000, 4500. Then they come back down to 3,000 and I get my acceleration. Same thing in every gear.

Yep sounds like your clutch is slipping.

werd on the clutch. Recommend going with an oe unit and if you go aftermarket, go with act.

werd on the clutch. Recommend going with an oe unit and if you go aftermarket, go with act.


Sorry for posting a little late, but ive been gone for a while. I'd just like to add that I like my Spec clutch (Ive got the stage 2+ kit and love it...it grabs a little late and is a little get a little chatter when it's cold, but damn does it grab and hold).