Clutch problem or they say

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

1990 Cavalier, V-6 and 5 speed.
Runs like a scalded dog when cold, but after about an hour or so, it starts slowing down as in won't go when you give it gas like a bog down.
You have to shift to 1st gear and it will go about 10 mph.
After it sits and gets cold, it's get in, sit down, and hold on again till it gets warmed back up and then the same thing.
Took it to the shop and the wrench said, clutch bad.
I thought when a clutch went bad, it was bad.
BTW, this is my girl's car.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

I call bs. If the clutch was bad it wouldn't bog down, it would rev up and not go anywhere. I would lean more to a clogged cat convertor. I've seen quite a few that had partial restrictions and would get worse the hotter it got. You may be able to unbolt the flange (if it has one) and let it run till it gets nice and hot and see if it makes a difference.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

Yea KB, that was my line of thinking cause years ago I had a t-bird that had sat a while and when you go to start it, nothing.
I dropped the exhaust loose a little and hit the key and it fired right up.
Come to find out the cat was stopped up.
Put new one on and it was good to go.

 

[i386]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

I call bs. If the clutch was bad it wouldn't bog down, it would rev up and not go anywhere.

My thoughts exactly and maybe a little burning clutch smell to go with it.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

My thoughts exactly and maybe a little burning clutch smell to go with it.

Yea, you would think.
Just had a new clutch put in about 2 months ago.
New slave and all.
I'm leaning toward the cat.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

Update: Car has no Cat on it and she says she smells something but don't know what it is.
Says when it does this, you can stop, have it in gear and let the clutch out and you sit there.
Give it gas and it catches a little and it trys to move.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

Just had a new clutch put in about 2 months ago.

Did the problem begin shortly after?

 

[12Footer]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

Sounds like the slave cylinder might bad, which would cause the clutch to slip, and that isn't good for the clutch. That is, of course, if it has hydraulic instead of a cable. I think it does have a hydraulic system. The valves in the cylinder can fail by hanging open or closed, or debris can block the lines.. When they do, it won't release the clutch after engaging the clutch. A slipping clutch will destroy itself in a few hundred miles(burns them up, hence the smell).
As for unbolting the cat, nope. Unless you unbolt the entire exhaust system at the manifolld, because I think it is a welded, one-piece system.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

No Cat on this one.
Just started last week.
Wonder why it runs great when it's cold?
After about an hour's driving it starts.
Had new slave put in the same time as clutch.

 

[rwise]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

First thing I am reading is the master cylandar may not be letting the fluid back to it's tank. This could be because it is out of adjustment, most (not all) have an adjustable rod between the peddle and cylandar (PITA). This could be caused be a pinched line as well, or the slave cylander could have a problem. (is there an external spring) But this would not make the engine *bog* it would be more like it is out of gear and rev freely.

second did they replace the pressure plate as well?

third this *new* matirial they use will not take the heat as well as the old stuff did.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

I told her to take it to a car lot some where and trade it off while it was COLD

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

I told her to take it to a car lot some where and trade it off while it was COLD

Way to go! Problem solved, don't ya love it when a plan comes together?

 

[KaGee]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

I told her to take it to a car lot some where and trade it off while it was COLD

Spoken like a true Backyard Hacker!

 

[Windykid]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

The hydraulic fluid could be contaminated and boiling when hot.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

Pressure plate bad.
Parts house paying for all parts and labor for another one.

 

[jimr]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

Man I hate to redo a job due to defective parts. If they turned the flywheel make sure it is thick enough or they will be having problems again with a slipping clutch.

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

What 1990 US passenger car doesn't have a cat? I'm leaning towards an improper clutch install or an incomplete diagnosis that led to the new clutch install.

 

[rwise]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

Pressure plate bad.
Parts house paying for all parts and labor for another one.

That'll do it!

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

Man I hate to redo a job due to defective parts. If they turned the flywheel make sure it is thick enough or they will be having problems again with a slipping clutch.

Don't guess they even turn it as far as I know.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Clutch problem or they say

What 1990 US passenger car doesn't have a cat? I'm leaning towards an improper clutch install or an incomplete diagnosis that led to the new clutch install.

I guess someone has removed it.
All I know is this one don't have one.