zbyers wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2020 4:35 am Welcome to GenVibe! We like pictures of your ride.
How many mile are on the car?
*** Just turned 109,000
To me, it sounds as if you just need to adjust to the sweet spot of where the clutch engages. My old '03 GT clutch engaged near the top of the pedal; my current '04 is closer to the middle.
*** Mine engages closer to the floor. Thing is, I can't find a "sweet spot". Still looking.
However, depending on mileage, it could be due for a clutch. I can't remember exactly what, but you can try putting the card in like 3rd or 4th gear and letting off the clutch. If the car shutters (from being in too high of a gear), it's likely the clutch is fine.
*** Tried the clutch trick. It just immediately shuts down. No shudder.
What's your location. You could be neighbors with one of us and not know it.
*** I'm in the Southern Tier of NY, about twenty min. north of the Pennsylvania border.
Had two different mechanics test drive the car today to get their opinion.
Mechanic #1 (with a national chain) said he didn't see any issues with the clutch, and because the clutch engages so close to the floor he thought it was likely a new clutch plate.
Mechanic #2 (locally owned private shop) He said he felt the chatter in first gear, and it was a sign of early stage clutch wear. He felt the wear was premature based on my mileage, and suggested the previous owner may have rode the clutch alot to wear it out so early. He also said "if it were me, I'd drive it til it starts to slip, then get it repaired". He also said that the clutch engaging close to the floor doesn't automatically mean "new", as the clutch is self adjusting.
Also found discussion online where the guy described my clutch problem perfectly...the reply he got was:
Your clutch is warped or there is oil leaking from your main seal and burning on your clutch. Your symptom is classic for these conditions. I had it happen on an EK civic I used to own. No cure other than new clutch and maybe new flywheel.
Soooo...IDK I tend to agree with #2, and liked the idea that he didn't hard sell me into an expensive repair. He quoted me worst case scenario as just under $1000. Another garage quoted me $1200.
Amazing how different opinions, prices, and advice can be from one mechanic to another. I had 1 mechanic quote me $450 to change spark plugs. Another said $150 for the same work. Crazy.
As in Olean NY? (wife is from there) Also as the owner of a first and second generation manual tranny Vibe (2004 Vibe GT and 2009 Vibe GT) they both are completely different when it comes to driving and releasing the clutch. The 2004 I embarrassingly have stalled numerous times due to me expecting it to have the extra power/torque from the bigger 2.4L engine. Also the adjustment on the clutch pedal are also so different. In your case it might just be a bit of behavior driving habits that need to be altered a bit. Once you start driving it more regular it will become second nature and all will be fineFatherTime wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2020 6:45 pm I'm in the Southern Tier of NY, about twenty min. north of the Pennsylvania border.
I'm in the Binghamton area.tpollauf wrote: ↑Tue Jan 07, 2020 5:51 pmAs in Olean NY? (wife is from there) Also as the owner of a first and second generation manual tranny Vibe (2004 Vibe GT and 2009 Vibe GT) they both are completely different when it comes to driving and releasing the clutch. The 2004 I embarrassingly have stalled numerous times due to me expecting it to have the extra power/torque from the bigger 2.4L engine. Also the adjustment on the clutch pedal are also so different. In your case it might just be a bit of behavior driving habits that need to be altered a bit. Once you start driving it more regular it will become second nature and all will be fineFatherTime wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2020 6:45 pm I'm in the Southern Tier of NY, about twenty min. north of the Pennsylvania border.
Ahhh. You're like 4 hours from me. Even if it were Olean as tpollauf suggested, I'd be willing to venture that way to take a look. 4 hours is just a little too far.FatherTime wrote: ↑Tue Jan 07, 2020 6:47 pm
I'm in the Binghamton area.
Do you ever experience any clutch chatter starting from a stop? I do, depending on how high I have the RPM's and how long the clutch is left at the engagement point. (to me that seems like a clutch problem) Above 2000 it generally won't happen, but that seems like a lot of RPM's to me, and can cause a bit of a "jerky" start. I would think I should be able to get off smoothly at around 1500. But nope.
I haven't had anyone yet (except you) say that they get any chatter starting out. (Kind of what I was looking for). Would you say that's "normal" for this make/model vehicle, (always been that way since new), or did it start "later in life" due to normal clutch wear?zbyers wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 4:25 amAhhh. You're like 4 hours from me. Even if it were Olean as tpollauf suggested, I'd be willing to venture that way to take a look. 4 hours is just a little too far.FatherTime wrote: ↑Tue Jan 07, 2020 6:47 pm
I'm in the Binghamton area.
Do you ever experience any clutch chatter starting from a stop? I do, depending on how high I have the RPM's and how long the clutch is left at the engagement point. (to me that seems like a clutch problem) Above 2000 it generally won't happen, but that seems like a lot of RPM's to me, and can cause a bit of a "jerky" start. I would think I should be able to get off smoothly at around 1500. But nope.
That said, yes, I do get a little bit of chattter/shuttering if I don't have the RPM's in the right spot when letting go of the clutch pedal.
Following jolts post is also a good idea.