Bad clutch?

[BrodyP]

Hey guys quick quesiton. When I press the clutch I only have to press it about a half an inch before it engages. That means time for a new clutch right? If so how much does it usually run for a 89 hatch? Sorry if I seem ignorant but I have only had new cars in manual, this is my first encounter with an older car with a possible problem like this. I appreciate it.

-Brody

[johnb16a2]

I don't understand your post. Press the clutch to engage it? Please clarify.

[BrodyP]

ummmm lets see I'll word it this way..I only need to press down on the clutch about a half inch to get it out of gear..Basically there is no play..Give it some gas and press down on the clutch a bit, shift and it catches.

[Gohan Ryu]

Your clutch pedal might need some adjusting, but as long as the clutch is not slipping when you're in gear your clutch is fine.

[Schister66]

as long as its not slipping, its fine. It probably could stand to be adjusted.

[BrodyP]

Slipping? That means my RPM will go up out of know where and I'll jump out of gear? If so no it doesnt do that. It just seems like I dont have any play. Its either in gear or out with just a tap on the clutch.

[CivicSpoon]

Doubt it's your clutch, sounds more like the slave or master cylinder going. They do go bad sometimes.

Slipping is more like giving it gas and it goes no where, it just won't grip.

[CRXperiment]

Originally Posted by BrodyP

Slipping? That means my RPM will go up out of know where and I'll jump out of gear? If so no it doesnt do that. It just seems like I dont have any play. Its either in gear or out with just a tap on the clutch.

If the clutch disengages when only pressing the pedal like an inch and your able to put it into gear that sounds like your clutch cable is too tight. Follow the cable and you'll see a white, hexed screw. Try loosening that screw a few turns and see what that does. Test drive and adjust accordingly.

Originally Posted by CivicSpoon

Doubt it's your clutch, sounds more like the slave or master cylinder going. They do go bad sometimes.

4th gens dont have hydraulic clutch systems. The clutch is disengaged with a cable. 5th gen + civics do have hydro systems.

[FrodoGT]

CRXperiment hit it right on the head, cable clutch all the way, I dont really like the feel of hydros..doesnt feel like your driving a manual.

[hondacivic99sivtec]

ditto with frodo and CRXperiment.
my clutch does the same thing but i like it that way.

[BrodyP]

Excellent guys I'll take a look at it tomorrow when I have off. Thank so much

[turtlecrxsi]

Yep. Just turn your clutch cable nut a few turns counter clockwise. I bet your cable is just caught somewhere and has no slack. Follow it along the top of your engine from the firewall to the tranny. I like it tight. My friend tried to drive my car when my clutch was new and he stalled it twice because he was used to his sloppy feeling hydro clutch in his 6th gen. I gave him hell for it because he used to only drive automatics...

[CRXperiment]

Yeah, hydro clutches definitely blow ass. Absolutely no control and totally unpredictable. Cable clutches FTW.

[CivicSpoon]

forgot about the cable/hydro thing. I'm just so use to hydro. But I guess you guys feel the same way about the cable, as I do about power steering. I hate driving cars with PS, it's just too loose.

[CRXperiment]

Originally Posted by CivicSpoon

forgot about the cable/hydro thing. I'm just so use to hydro. But I guess you guys feel the same way about the cable, as I do about power steering. I hate driving cars with PS, it's just too loose.

Yeah dont worry we feel the same way about PS (at least i do). I think if the manual rack we had on our EFs was rebuilt and adjusted like stock we'd all be very pleased with its handling. Unfortunately, the racks in most of our cars have weared out over the years, i.e. the rack end bushing and tie rods. As a result, lots of our older 4th gens have sloppy handling.