Having multiple problems with clutch, idle, and gas smell. Please help!

[HOST]

Let's begin with the clutch, first gear is strong, no issues.. in low RPM all the other gears are fine as well, though if I rev higher (say 5-6k) I can feel the loss of power. Could this be related to air in the lines? Guy I got it from said that the master is leaking but I believe he meant the ABS cylinder because that's what he gave me to replace. Clutch master looks fine other than the slipping. I really hope it isn't needing a new clutch already.

Now for the other issues.. after driving around about 3 blocks or so, I notice a strong smell of burning plastic or maybe oil, and a little bit of smoke coming from behind the plenum.. steamy smoke. Oil leak? There is also a strong gas smell in the cabin at times and the exhaust tips are BLACK with grime. Should I be concerned with a serious internal problem?

Any help you guys can give would be greatly appreciated! I got the car cheap and expected issues.. so it isn't a huge surprise other than the car only has 112k miles.

Thanks..

[Zwicked]

Start by bleeding the clutch and then setting it up. If there is ANY air in the lines it will expand when it heats up and act on the clutch making it slip if the pedal is set up too tight. Bleed it at the slave and the fender fitting 3 times at each location alternating between the 2 until all air is gone. Lastly set up the pedal so there is about 1/2" free play at the top. If it still slips, the clutch needs to be changed.Black exhaust tips means it's running rich. That can come from leaking injector lower o-rings, or a cylinder (or more) not firing properly from incorrect or bad plugs, dead coil pack, wiring etc.Gas odor is a leak and is sure to start a fire at some point. The dozen or so fuel line clamps may just need re tightening. The ones at the front where the fuel rail joins are often the culprit, but a bad fuel pressure reg or fuel damper can also leak.

[HOST]

Start by bleeding the clutch and then setting it up. If there is ANY air in the lines it will expand when it heats up and act on the clutch making it slip if the pedal is set up too tight. Bleed it at the slave and the fender fitting 3 times at each location alternating between the 2 until all air is gone. Lastly set up the pedal so there is about 1/2" free play at the top. If it still slips, the clutch needs to be changed.Black exhaust tips means it's running rich. That can come from leaking injector lower o-rings, or a cylinder (or more) not firing properly from incorrect or bad plugs, dead coil pack, wiring etc.Gas odor is a leak and is sure to start a fire at some point. The dozen or so fuel line clamps may just need re tightening. The ones at the front where the fuel rail joins are often the culprit, but a bad fuel pressure reg or fuel damper can also leak.

Awesome input man thanks! Looks like my first priority is to fix the fuel leak.. could it be the knock sensor, and/or fuel filter? Where can I find the fuel pressure reg and the fuel damper?

[alright2020]

regualor and dampener are on that picture parts 22675m and 22670m and knock sensor would have nothin to do with a fuel problem as fas as the carbon build up on the exhaust tips its common and will always happen depending on your exhhaust set up... if you have a fairly free flowign exhaust setup then you will get more carbon comming out of the back of the pipe ...but if youre running stock exhaust then its likely what zwicked said either running rich or misfiring...

[HOST]

regualor and dampener are on that picture parts 22675m and 22670m and knock sensor would have nothin to do with a fuel problem as fas as the carbon build up on the exhaust tips its common and will always happen depending on your exhhaust set up... if you have a fairly free flowign exhaust setup then you will get more carbon comming out of the back of the pipe ...but if youre running stock exhaust then its likely what zwicked said either running rich or misfiring...

Then it must be running rich because it's firing just fine. Time to change plugs! Hopefully I can find the leak.. don't want a fire! Only reason I mentioned the knock sensor is because a local mechanic suggested it. Have no idea what it governs yet but I will find out.. thanks for the help guys! Will post what I find tomorrow!

[EDIT: I've used NGK plugs before, you guys recommend anything different? Also, I can't remember if I had to gap these or not.. been a while. If so what's the gap?]
Modified by HOST at 12:06 AM 1/3/2010

[HOST]

regualor and dampener are on that picture parts 22675m and 22670m and knock sensor would have nothin to do with a fuel problem as fas as the carbon build up on the exhaust tips its common and will always happen depending on your exhhaust set up... if you have a fairly free flowign exhaust setup then you will get more carbon comming out of the back of the pipe ...but if youre running stock exhaust then its likely what zwicked said either running rich or misfiring...

I've located the leak and D4MN it's a big one! Which is the damper and the regulator? My leak is coming from the one on the left (22670), not sure if it's that or the hose below it but the hose is soaked with gas, and it was dripping while I had the key on.

[HOST]

After further inspection it isn't the Damper.. (on the left) it's the little hose underneath it.. fuel rail must be removed. Thanks for the help guys!