My clutch went from a slip in one gear to all 6 gears to sticking to the floor all in under 3 hours of non consecutive driving.
I have a question regarding my clutch in my 2012 nissan altima 2.5s 6 speed with 60k miles on it. I drove it one day a few weeks ago and noticed a slight slip if i would get on it a little or shift past 3000 rpm in 3rd gear. I only drove it a short while perhaps an hour mostly highway. The next day i noticed the slip in every gear around the same rpm range. After an hour the slip made its way all the way to 5th and 6th gear and it died on me shortly after. The clutch pedal did have resistance but that shortly went away and it stuck to the floor. I had it towed and it took a week for me to g
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there, thanks for writing in. It’s entirely possible that a component failed. For instance, if the clutch pressure plate failed, then the clutch pedal will feel very spongy and can cause the car to slip and be very difficult to shift. If it has a dampened flywheel, and that fails, then the car may lose the ability to go anywhere. It will go into gear fine, but will not move forward. If a clutch release lever failed, it may no longer release the clutch enough to allow gear changes, though slipping would be minimal. A failing hydraulic component could also cause the clutch to fail very quickly. Based on the symptoms, I think that the pressure plate has failed, but it’s impossible to say for sure without seeing the car in person. You should have a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, inspect your car and diagnose your clutch issue.
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This can happen due to a worn-out clutch through years of wear and tear, an improperly adjusted clutch, or a lack of lubrication. Clutch slipping can be dangerous, as it can cause the car to lose power while accelerating, and make it difficult to control the vehicle.
Broken Clutch Cable: The most common reason to have a clutch pedal that goes all the way to the floor is a broken clutch cable. This is extremely common, particularly on older cars. Replacing the cable will allow you to engage the clutch and change gears once more.
A malfunctioning clutch can also cause poor acceleration. The reason why is that the clutch is slipping and unable to transfer power from the engine to the drivetrain. Power to the drivetrain is what turns your vehicle`s wheels. If there isn`t any power your wheels won`t turn, i.e., your vehicle won`t accelerate.
Sometimes clutch slippage is due to the rear engine seal leaking, which can initially be caused by simply overfilling the engine oil which increases the pressure inside the engine crankcase forcing oil out of seals.
What is the fix for a slipping transmission? It`s simple. Just pop the hood of your vehicle, locate the transmission switch, and change the setting from “SLIP” to “STABLE” . . . If only it were that easy.
Clutch Creep Definitions. SEVERE Clutch Creep: CAN BE DANGEROUS – The bike can lunge forward (perhaps stall, or even continue on uncontrollably) when placed into gear, even with the clutch lever pulled in completely. This is a sign of a miss-adjustment, mechanical problem, or improper installation.
On the other hand, too much free play can cause clutch drag, making your car creep forward while changing gears, which can be troublesome in heavy traffic. Therefore adjusting your clutch pedal and achieving the correct amount of free play is very crucial.
You start experiencing very high revs when you put the car into motion or as you start accelerating. The clutch disengages very quickly and also when there is an apparent change in clutch pedal height (whether too low or too high than normal).
You can make it hours, days, or even weeks sometimes when your clutch just starts slipping. But if your car`s clutch begins to slip when you`re driving in higher gears – say, gear three and up – it`s not long until it`s going to leave you stranded.
“Riding” the clutch is the most common reason for premature clutch failure. Even the slightest pressure on the pedal will partially disengage the clutch, causing the release bearing, pressure plate and flywheel to overheat.
Master or Slave cylinder leakage.
Most cars these days are hydraulic, so they rely on fluid pressure from the clutch master cylinder to actuate the clutch slave cylinder. Age and wear can cause the seals to fail and this can happen either internally or externally.
The clutch master cylinder is a vital component of your manual transmission system. It converts the pressure from your foot on the clutch pedal into hydraulic pressure that engages and disengages the clutch. If it fails, you may experience difficulty shifting gears, clutch slippage, or even a loss of power.
The Transmission Range Sensor tells the PCM the position of the transmission shifter. The PCM uses this information to control which gears of the transmission to enable or disable. When the TR sensor fails it can cause wrong gear starts, no upshifts, or what feels like a falling-out-of-gear condition.
Low Fluid Levels — This is the most typical cause, and it is also the easiest to resolve. If you notice slipping gears, you can check your own transmission fluid level and top it off as needed. However, be absolutely sure you are putting in the correct type of transmission fluid for your particular transmission design.
Slipping Gears – a very common symptom of a bad CVT transmission is that the transmission is slipping gears. This is a common problem that is a result of structural problems or not enough transmission fluid, which causes the potential of gears to pop out of gear while you are driving.
The clutch feels soft
The clutch should take a bit of pressure to move, and when you press down, you should be met with some resistance. If the clutch pedal feels `spongey` or feels like you`re pushing it into a block of warm butter, your clutch is likely going to need to be replaced soon.
With the engine still off, press the clutch as far down as it goes then release it. A clutch that is in good condition should spring back to its original position quickly and have some resistance as you press down. On the other hand, if it gets stuck, moves slowly or feels bouncy then it`s likely to be wearing out.
Drive with the car in 3rd or 4th gear and, with your foot still on the accelerator, push the clutch in and release it. It should immediately come down in RPM. If the RPMs do not come down when you release, that means your clutch is worn out and slipping.
A clutch that vibrates uncontrollably, sometimes known as “clutch judder”, when the clutch is initially engaged can be a clear sign that your clutch is failing. In a lot of cases, it could simply be that fluid has leaked into the gears, usually oil, causing them to lose grip.
Steady knocking in the clutch area can be a loose flywheel or pressure plate, bad engine or transmission bearing, a broken transmission bearing, a broken transmission gear, or loose parts bouncing around in the clutch housing.
Dragging Clutch – Clutch dragging occurs when the clutch disc is not fully released when the clutch pedal is fully depressed. This can cause gear clashing, especially when shifting into reverse.
The gears are sluggish and slipping.
Low clutch fluid will cause your vehicle to lose the critical hydraulic power needed for smooth gear shifting. If your gears are slipping and feel sluggish, it`s time to consider scheduling an inspection.
Unfortunately, while you might be tempted to continue to drive when noticing your clutch slipping, it is not advisable, as it could completely fail at any point, leaving you stranded out on the road. To prevent this in the first place, it`s advised that you drive sensibly and have you clutch checked every 60,000 miles.
Warning: Improper clutch adjustment can cause the clutch to slip or uneven wearing of the clutch. Ensure that you follow the manufacturer`s specifications while adjusting the clutch and refer to the owner`s manual of your vehicle for the right process.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My clutch went from a slip in one gear to all 6 gears to sticking to the floor all in under 3 hours of non consecutive driving.
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in. It’s entirely possible that a component failed. For instance, if the clutch pressure plate failed, then the clutch pedal will feel very spongy and can cause the car to slip and be very difficult to shift. If it has a dampened flywheel, and that fails, then the car may lose the ability to go anywhere. It will go into gear fine, but will not move forward. If a clutch release lever failed, it may no longer release the clutch enough to allow gear changes, though slipping would be minimal. A failing hydraulic component could also cause the clutch to fail very quickly. Based on the symptoms, I think that the pressure plate has failed, but it’s impossible to say for sure without seeing the car in person. You should have a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, inspect your car and diagnose your clutch issue.
My manual car won’t go into gear, it turns on and the clutch goes down perfectly fine. It happened after my gears grinded, the car
ANSWER : If the clutch mechanism is releasing properly, and the shift linkage is not malfunctioning, your transmission will have to be removed from the vehicle and inspected. Once a transmission has been removed from a vehicle, if the problem is a broken or worn part or parts, and the transmission has 100,000 miles or more, the most cost effective approach is to just simply rebuild the whole transmission. There are transmission rebuild kits that are sold just for this purpose. Rebuilding a transmission is no big deal and is indeed easier in many respects than rebuilding an engine. You can rebuild your transmission right in your own garage. You can NOT rebuild an engine in your own garage due to the highly specialized, and extremely costly, machine shop equipment required. Occasionally, mobile mechanics will take on a transmission rebuild job especially as once the mechanic removes the transmission from the vehicle, it is just simply a modular unit that can be easily transported to a mechanic’s shop and rebuilt right there and then returned to your vehicle. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Well be driving 3 hours one way today and 3 the next day in 20 to 30 degree weather. It is dry out but freezing. I have 2 new…
ANSWER : With a front-wheel drive vehicle, having the newer tires on the front is definitely the right placement. When it comes to driving in inclement weather, just remember that good common sense is your best bet. If you feel the driving conditions aren’t the best, just slow down a little and take your time. Don’t worry about what how the people around you are driving, watch out for them, but don’t drive outside of your comfort zone. If conditions worsen while you are driving, and you don’t feel comfortable, pull off of the road and wait until the conditions are to a point you feel comfortable. Having plans, or a time frame, won’t matter if you have an accident. Keep in mind that bridges and overpasses will freeze first, but using good judgement is the most important factor in inclement weather. Also, you can also watch videos on the subject at several social media outlets. And, by the way, the "S" marking on the gearshift is for "Sport" mode. It is used for more "spirited" driving, and should not be used in inclement weather.
I think my clutch or clutch master cyclinder went out
ANSWER : Hello – it sounds like the clutch hydraulics are not functioning properly. Check for adequate fluid level first – the clutch fluid reservoir is near the brake fluid reservoir on the firewall (driver side). If the fluid level is low, most likely the clutch slave cylinder is leaking and should be replaced. If the fluid level is correct, but the clutch will not disengage when you press the pedal, the clutch master cylinder (or the mechanical linkage) has likely failed.
I would recommend having your clutch issue inspected by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
Clutch went right to the floor
ANSWER : Hey there. In all likelihood, the clutch is worn to the point of needing replacement. Being able to move the shifter into each gear with the vehicle off is usually an indication that the clutch is worn out. When the clutch disc is worn, it does not have enough material and strength to properly engage and disengage the transmission from the flywheel. The reason you can move the shifter into each gear with the engine off is the transmission is no longer dealing with the engine to shift gears. Have a certified technician inspect the clutch operation as soon as possible so that this can be resolved.
Clutch sticking and gears won’t go in
ANSWER : You should check the hydraulic clutch master cylinder to see if it is low on fluid indicating a leak in the system and will need to locate the leak and repair as needed. If the fluid is mostly full and no leaks are in the system then the clutch master cylinder is leaking internally and will not actuate the clutch slave cylinder. The master cylinder needs to be replaced and clutch bled out of air in the system.
My truck won’t allow me to change gears even when pressing the clutch. No gears go in at all. Makes it impossible to drive.
ANSWER : Hello, this concern is possibly the slave or clutch master cylinder failure. These two components use brake fluid to apply pressure for movement of the clutch system. This fluid breaks down in time and causes the seals to fail (leak). A low fluid level would cause this concern as well as internal leakage. Replacement of components would be necessary. This type of concern would need to be inspected. If you’d like, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your location to diagnose your vehicle, and possibly replace your clutch master cylinder if need be.
Hi, I have a 2010 Nissan Versa 18.l L4 engine (MR18DE), 6 speed Manual and R56794R Transaxle. Pedal to floor now. What to do?
ANSWER : Check the slave cylinder and see if there is a fluid leak on the cylinder. If there is no leaks, then the return spring could be broken or missing. If the return spring is intact, then the clutch release bearing has failed and the fork has came in contact with the pressure plate on the clutch pack. If you need further assistance with your clutch pedal going to the floor, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
