1989 240SX Clutch Problem--Help!

[jazzer]

I'm just wondering if anyone else has experience with clutch problems (ie. clutch slipping) on the 240SX. I went to a mechanic to get a basic oil/lube change and it came with an inspection. Afterwards, they told me that my clutch was worn and that I needed to get it replaced immediately to prevent damage to the flywheel! This was a complete surprise to me.

The clutch on the car is less than 2.5 years old and I have owned the car for a year. The previous owner (a good friend) has been driving standard for years, I have only been driving standard for a year. I'm a bit skeptical that the clutch is that worn because I haven't noticed any problems at all. I asked the technician to be more specific and he said that it was slipping when they engaged it.

So, I brought it to another place and they took it for a test drive and said that the clutch definitely is older, but that it has months left on it, at least. The guy there said that I would notice the RPMs increase a lot with the car driving slower and that there would be other signs of wear, but for now, there was nothing to worry about. I also tried parking and switching to 4th gear and releasing the clutch to see if it would stall right away (a sign of little to no clutch slipping) and it did.

Anyone have experience with this? I will replace the clutch at some point, but I'm wondering how urgent it might be and whether there are more signs that show up when I definitely need a replacement.

Thanks so much,J

[nomuken]

what is the position of your clutch pedal when you feel the clutch bite (engage/disengage), if it's all the way near the floor it's probably time to replace it.

[MN240SX]

I had to replace my clutch master & slave cylinders on my '89, when I pressed in the clutch I couldn't get it to go into gear. I'm replacing my clutch next week, and right now it takes more RPM to get up to 60mph than it did when I got the car. It hasn't slipped yet, but I can feel that it wants to. As far as "burning" the flywheel, yeah it COULD happen. BUT, it's 22lbs of solid steel so it's on the outside of the "bad" envelope. IF it does get hurt, replace it with a lightened one, if your skill with clutch engagment is up to it. If not OEM flywheels aren't THAT expensive, and you'll have to get the old one resurfaced anyway if you decide to stay heavy when you replace the clutch.

MN240SX

[GroundZero]

i recently blew my clutch out in my 91 240sx, while i had the transmission out i installed an 11 pound flywheel and it made shifting easier, i also used premium transmission fluid (redline MTL). but it really takes alot to seriously damage that 22 pound steel oem flywheel, a resurface job will fix any imperfections on it. i got an exedy clutch kit for $112 on ebay. but if you plan on throwin a good bit more power into the car soon, i'd recommend the ACT street disc and heavy duty pressure plate.

all i have to say is that if your gonna change it yourself then brush up on your most obscene language, cuz that transmission is a bastard to get out and you'll be swearing at it alot. good luck with the clutch job.

[GroundZero]

actually i found the reinstallation alot easier than the removal, only took 45 minutes compared to the 2 hours the removal took

well you seem to know cars so i'm assuming you know what the egr is. the pros of removing it is that you will be burning cleaner air, therefore adding a little power, cleaning up the engine bay, and reducing the risk of power loss if it malfunctions in some way.

the cons of removing the egr are slightly elevated engine temps, nothing major. of course emissions will go to ****, so if you live in a state that requires emissions testing then don't remove the egr.

well i just wanna get rid of the charcoal canister to clean up the engine bay, all it does is filter out fumes in the gas tank, i could care less bout that

[agne24us]

i just had the same exact problem i just fixed on my car, my clutch out of the blue started slipping, and i thought the same thing, clutch is worn time to replace. i was wrong, i had a occurance about a month prior where the clutch master cylinder drained empty, so i refilled it and monitored it for a leak, i never found one, so i figured that all was well. it turned out that i then had the slippage happen. i figured i would replace the clutch and i did, then after two weeks it slipped again. it turns out that after i rebuilt the master and slave cylinder, that the system would not bleed correctly, finally after i dismantled the entire system , i found that the thick line on the dampner still had air in it, and i filled the line with fluid, and reassembeldthe system, i then bled the system again and now it works perfectly.

[groundhogday1976]

I'm kinda confused as to how they know the clutch is worn when it was just an oil/ lube job with basic inspection. I don't think they can tell it's worn out without driving the car or pulling the transmission. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can look at it without pulling the transmission and taking the pressure plate off. Sounds to me like the mechanic was just trying to rape you out of some money you didn't have to spend.

[lbrowne]

what is the position of your clutch pedal when you feel the clutch bite (engage/disengage), if it's all the way near the floor it's probably time to replace it.

My 240 had a clutch recently installed before I had bought it, and my clutch starts to engage not long after I let it off the floor. (its much higher for my TA's clutch to engage, practically almost all the way out )

I have no shifting problems and I actually prefer it to my Trans Am's clutch.