1996 Honda Civic clutch repair/replace?

Tiny
1996 HONDATROUBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 130,000 MILES
1996 Honda Civic manual transmission 130,000 miles - was left in a no-standing zone and moved by some towing company- was about 10 days before I found it and started it yesterday. When I start it in neutral the engine turns fine but then when try to put in gear it will not engage. Suspect clutch is not pulling back from the pressure plate/ engine, since when I go to start it when in gear it jerks and stalls, suggesting that it's sitting engaged (?). Suggestions? Diagnosis? Could the towing company have adjusted something so that it's disengaged somehow. Am I gonna need to replace the clutch?Many thanks for your assistance!
Monday, August 11th, 2008 AT 8:42 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

First check that the clutch hydraulics are working correctly, you may have a faulty slave or master cylinder, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, August 11th, 2008 AT 9:58 PM
Tiny
1996 HONDATROUBLE
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  • 4 POSTS
Hi, thanks. How do I check the hydraulics?
I checked the fluids and they are full, with no apparent leaks. I see no external damage. How do I check the slave or master cylinders?- Do I have to unscrew the whole thing and pull it apart?
Thanks
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Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
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HI there,

The simple test is just make sure that you have good pedal pressure and that there is not a lot of free play, have someone watch the slave cylinder when you press the clutch and make sure the slave is pushing out, check this next.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 AT 8:34 PM
Tiny
1996 HONDATROUBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hello. After sitting on it for a while I eventually had the car towed to the local mechanic, who'd previously said it would probably be the slave or master cylinder as you'd mentioned.
After looking at it the mechanics said the whole clutch needed to be replaced and quoted me $750 with 5 hrs of labour and $225 for the full clutch kit. They did it in a day and I got it back today. However, while the gear does change there is no pressure in the pedal and it changes easily but when the clutch is only a little pushed in, which seems very strange. Also, the odometer no longer works at all, which seems very strange to me, since there's been no trouble with that ever before.
Does this issue seem normal or does it seem that I might be being had, and if so, what can I do?
[[ My fear or guess is whether these guys have not replaced the clutch at all but just adjusted the clutch cable tension somehow which has altered the point at which the plate engages the gear. No idea though really]]

( By the way, before this trouble the car had been working fine until I left it sitting idle for maybe two weeks in weather, and then it had the trouble. Not sure if that makes a difference. )

I'll go back tomorrow to talk to the mechanics but do you have any advise please? Many thanks.
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Friday, October 3rd, 2008 AT 11:09 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

The problem with the speedo will be the drive will not be attached correctly, that should not be a big issue, as for the clutch feel, the new clutch should release closer to the floor, so I would be getting this checked out, also there can be a problem with the clutch fork pivot, and also some after market reco clutches should not be used, I would check on what had been fitted.

Mark (mark mhpautos)
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Saturday, October 4th, 2008 AT 2:22 AM
Tiny
1996 HONDATROUBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for you message, I spoke with the guys today and they said that because its a hydraulic clutch setup (and not with a cable) that the soft feel is to be expected, and that it'll firm up after a month or so of driving. Also that it'll just take a little getting used to. The clutch engages/disengages at around 75% of the pedal being released. I asked if they are new parts and he said absolutely. The main mechanic went around the block with me in it and it certainly seems to run and change gears smoothly. Anything sound ascew there, or does that seem alright do you think? It seemed okay once he explained things, though because of what you said I did question the soft feel. If sounds not right, do you think its worth going to another mechanic to check that the parts are put in as described (ie not refurb ones etc). Many thanks.
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Saturday, October 4th, 2008 AT 5:29 PM
Tiny
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Hi there,

Some clutches can feel this way when new, I am at a disadvantage with not being able to feel it, but I feel that you will not have a problem, if it is changing gears ok, let it bed in and I fell that you will not have a problem, I would only ask if they re machined the fly wheel as well.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Saturday, October 4th, 2008 AT 8:08 PM

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