Clutch went out??

[toddpavlack]

Hey guys,
I own a 1997 Jetta GLX VR6 with 81k miles on it, and a five speed transmission. Over the past few weeks, while the car was in gear, I would hit the gas, and the RPMs would jump up like the clutch was slipping. This started only in fifth gear, but soon, it started to slip in all the gears. I figured that the clutch was going out, and that it needed to be replaced. So, as I am waiting to gather the money to get it replaced, I am taking it easy on the car.

Today was the worst. The clutch seemed to slip continuously, as it took me 10 seconds to make it through an intersection. So, while on the highway, making it up to speed, I put it into fifth gear, and the clutch pedal felt extremely loose. Then as I take my foot off the pedal, it just stayed on the floor. I could not shift at all, and I was not getting any power to the car. So I pull off to the side of the highway, and the car will not go into any gear.

So I turn it off, and get it towed to my local garage. Now, I could start the car, and without putting the clutch pedal down (what little it could go down, anyway), I can shift into any gear (again, WITHOUT engaging the clutch). I am assuming that the clutch is completely out, so I am going to order a clutch kit. Is there anything else this could be?

Could it be the flywheel? or the clutch's master cylinder? any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys for all of your help.

-Todd

[veedubmechanic]

replace the clutch/ flywheel/pp and tob

replace the flywheel with a single mass one from vr6!

[bhf3]

Originally Posted by toddpavlack

Hey guys,
I own a 1997 Jetta GLX VR6 with 81k miles on it, and a five speed transmission. Over the past few weeks, while the car was in gear, I would hit the gas, and the RPMs would jump up like the clutch was slipping. This started only in fifth gear, but soon, it started to slip in all the gears. I figured that the clutch was going out, and that it needed to be replaced. So, as I am waiting to gather the money to get it replaced, I am taking it easy on the car.

Today was the worst. The clutch seemed to slip continuously, as it took me 10 seconds to make it through an intersection. So, while on the highway, making it up to speed, I put it into fifth gear, and the clutch pedal felt extremely loose. Then as I take my foot off the pedal, it just stayed on the floor. I could not shift at all, and I was not getting any power to the car. So I pull off to the side of the highway, and the car will not go into any gear.

So I turn it off, and get it towed to my local garage. Now, I could start the car, and without putting the clutch pedal down (what little it could go down, anyway), I can shift into any gear (again, WITHOUT engaging the clutch). I am assuming that the clutch is completely out, so I am going to order a clutch kit. Is there anything else this could be?

Could it be the flywheel? or the clutch's master cylinder? any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys for all of your help.

-Todd

Have a 97 GLS, 113k, 2nd owner- manual- very similar symptoms- stepping on the gas in 2nd,3rd,4th,5th and the odometer just flies up and swoops down. Started a few months ago, I quite driving it 3 wks ago as not being able to accelerate quickly on the freeway is dangerous. Obviously clutch, only 1 of 5 places I called brought up that it could also be the flywheel- I appreciate that candor, so am going with him. Everyone in North Seattle quoting $550-600 for clutch, he said if it's also the flywheel would be around $1000, won't know until he gets in there.
Feel fortunate I stopped before you did. I remember driving BMW 2002's in the 80's- when their clutches went, it was clunk! and there you were. My 97 GLS has been one of the last good ones I guess. Not too many problems, mechanical or electrical.

[toddpavlack]

Originally Posted by bhf3

Have a 97 GLS, 113k, 2nd owner- manual- very similar symptoms- stepping on the gas in 2nd,3rd,4th,5th and the odometer just flies up and swoops down. Started a few months ago, I quite driving it 3 wks ago as not being able to accelerate quickly on the freeway is dangerous. Obviously clutch, only 1 of 5 places I called brought up that it could also be the flywheel- I appreciate that candor, so am going with him. Everyone in North Seattle quoting $550-600 for clutch, he said if it's also the flywheel would be around $1000, won't know until he gets in there.
Feel fortunate I stopped before you did. I remember driving BMW 2002's in the 80's- when their clutches went, it was clunk! and there you were. My 97 GLS has been one of the last good ones I guess. Not too many problems, mechanical or electrical.

Well, it was the clutch on my car that went out. The pressure plate was almost comletely disintigrated. If your flywheel makes your rpms slip that bad, you also have a clutch problem. The flywheel should last the lifetime of the car, so says my mechanic (under normal driving conditions). However, I do miss my 97 glx vr6. Two days after replacing the clutch, I traded it in.

And replaced it with a 03 Honda Accord 2 dr EX-V6 6 speed manual. Much nicer car. much bigger car. Sometimes, though, i miss the jetta