1992 SC DOHC Cluth Problems

[BaalDemon]

So I replaced the clutch in this car 4 years ago when I first got it, actually we fixed it along with the rear oil seal since we had the engine out we figured we might as well replace the clutch since it had about 100,000 miles on it. Well now 35,000 miles it seems as if the clutch is going out again, but since it has so few miles on it I was wondering if there could be another explination. Alright well here are my problems:

First I believe is related to the master cylinder, in which I have to hold the clutch all the way to the ground when changing gears and when backing out of a spot if I have it even a tiny bit off the ground the car acts like its going to stall, and even will stall unless I push it all the way to the ground. Seems like a master cylinder problem to me, but let me hear your opinions.

Secondly, the more serious of the problems, so it seems, is that my clutch seems to be slipping. When in any gear if I try to accellerate at any rate that seems moderately fast, like to pass a car, my rpms will rev up but no acceleration will occur, then if I let of the gas a bit the clutch seems to kick back in and I am able to gently apply pressure to the accelerator and it will accelerate me, this happens in all gears. Is there anyother problem it could be other than a worn clutch? My thoughts are that maybe the clutch has gotten saturated in oil and is causing the slippage, I have a few oil leaks in my car. Could this account for the slippage that I am feeling or anything else, I really dont feel like putting another new clutch in the vehicle, but I would if I would be forced to.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[sierrap615]

who did the clutch job? if it was a saturn dealership they should have replaced the hydralics with it, if it wasn't saturn, i bet the hydralics are still orginal right? remember brake fuild is also used as clutch fluid. the spongy feel brakes get after a few years is caused many times by old fluid. the clutch hydralics are no different IMHO. if the fluid is 13 years old, i think the hydralics need replaced.

but at the same time it does sound like the clutch is starting to slip, i doubt that would be caused by the hydralics. oil soaked clutch will cause slipping. also what else was replaced with the clutch? (pressure plate, throw-out bearing, flywheel serviced?) also have you had other people driving your car latey? do you ride the clutch? you may want to get under the engine and take a look inside the inspection cover, and check the clutch fluid.

[BaalDemon]

I did the clutch job, cant remember what all we did to it, whatever came with the clutch kit from advance auto, it was too long ago Im sure my dad remembers. As far as I know the hydralics are still original, we bought the car with 95k on it and werent mentioned any major work and none of the noted service records mentioned clutch or hydralic works so yeah Ill assume its original. Ill try replacing the fluid to see if that helps with anything.

No one else driving my car lately, I dont ride the clutch that often, everyonce and a while Ill catch myself doing that, mainly when im in traffic trying to make it to class on time.

Im planning on taking off the inspection plate cover and checking it out once I get home, Im still at my apartment at school and dont have any place where I can really work on my car, they'll make us pay if we do more than change a tire in the parking lot if they see us, and since im a poor college student I dont want to risk a fee. I was planning on taking the car down to Chattanooga TN tomorrow for the I-AA national football championship game, but instead am taking a friends car because of the way mine is acting. Ill be taking it home on monday, as long as I make the like 70 mile trip through the mountains, and Ill take a look at it when I get home and have tools and a place to work on it.

[sierrap615]

i don't think the fluid is replacable it's self. i think the whole system needs replaced, call saturn to confirm, they can also check the service records.