A few questions about my clutch...

Keira · Post by **Keira** » June 1st, 2005, 10:51 am

I have a stock 1994 GS with about 90800 miles and original everything almost. This is my first car and i never really learned how to drive a stick, i just sorta taught myself, so i just had some questions about what is normal.
I know my clutch is slipping in almost every gear, it doesnt shift as smoothly as it used to and it does the weird rpm thing. I'm going to take it in to get done 'professionally' but i wanna wait till i have enough money so.. here are my stupid questions:

1) how much does it cost on average? I know they charge for their time and it depends on what parts they need to fix, but what price range should i expect? (I dont want anything fancy since i dont know how long this car is gonna last.)
2) when the clutch is slipping do they only need to replace the clutch plate or the whole system?
3) with the new clutch, will the pedal feel more stiff than the old one?
4) is it normal to be able to shift through all the gears without using the clutch when the car is off?

and i also had a question about my timing belt. it has been worn out for a long time but i have been putting off replacing it. does the timing belt have anything to do with why my steering is so loose? or is that a totally different problem?
one last question, any ideas about what the sucking noise is when i am coasting? i cant tell where it is coming from exactly but it usually doesnt happen when i accelerate, or i just cant hear it.

neutral · Post by **neutral** » June 1st, 2005, 6:07 pm

I gotta run so will make this quick. my .02. Your clutch Q's answered on this other thread http://www.mx-3.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

Your timing belt has no effect on steering, ever.

Hafta hear the sucking noise to really ID it.

Sure others here will have their .02 with more info. cya and g'luck

OptiX · Post by **OptiX** » June 1st, 2005, 6:18 pm

well... it would be best to replace everything

they come in kits usually anyways, and would be less of a hassle if you fix it and then another part of the clutch goes

they're about $250 canadian with tax
as far as labour cost goes... depends on the mechanic you go to.
it'll range from $50 to $150

performance clutch kits will run you about $350 to $450 canadian (depending on what kit and its features are)

OptiX · Post by **OptiX** » June 1st, 2005, 6:20 pm

timing belt has nothing to do with your power steering... i'd just check the lines, check the tie rods, and flush the system with new power steering fluid.

and as the 'sucking' noise goes.... wouldnt be able to tell ya without hearing it, but it could be a loose vaccum line or somthing.

MX-SLICK · Post by **MX-SLICK** » June 2nd, 2005, 2:34 pm

Timing belt is just as important as a clutch. If that breaks you risk bending valves (blowing motor). The clutch requires engine and transmission to be seperated but it is possible the clutch is just not adjusted right (the mx-3's do have adjustable clutch right??) I would bite the bullet and have it all done, seeing as you still have a pretty good car. I would say get them both done for $600 plus the cost of the clutch..which really isnt all that bad.

Ricksmx3 · Post by **Ricksmx3** » June 2nd, 2005, 2:40 pm

Where are you located? Cause i went to Advanced Auto Parts and got me a whole clutch set for $140 (nothing special just a regular clutch). Then the labor was like $250 or something. So all together it was almost $400. And when i got my clutch replaced the pedal was so much easier to push in and shifted so much smoother.

Keira · Post by **Keira** » June 2nd, 2005, 4:36 pm

thanks for the replys
im in michigan
ive been going to a local auto place for all my exaust problems and they said for the timing belt it would cost about $650 and i dont wanna spend that much so i have been looking around. I want to find a place that will do the clutch and the timing belt at once but no where around here does both engine and trans stuff.

papa roached · Post by **papa roached** » June 2nd, 2005, 4:47 pm

MX-SLICK wrote:Timing belt is just as important as a clutch. If that breaks you risk bending valves (blowing motor). The clutch requires engine and transmission to be seperated but it is possible the clutch is just not adjusted right (the mx-3's do have adjustable clutch right??) I would bite the bullet and have it all done, seeing as you still have a pretty good car. I would say get them both done for $600 plus the cost of the clutch..which really isnt all that bad.

to bad when the timing belt breaks on this motor you dont bend valves, its a noninterference motor

OptiX · Post by **OptiX** » June 2nd, 2005, 6:10 pm

Keira wrote:thanks for the replys
im in michigan
ive been going to a local auto place for all my exaust problems and they said for the timing belt it would cost about $650 and i dont wanna spend that much so i have been looking around. I want to find a place that will do the clutch and the timing belt at once but no where around here does both engine and trans stuff.

$650 for the timing belt... holly crap thats a lot of ripping off

theres a clear indication to STAY AWAY from that place.

they're simply milking you.