2000 Honda Civic

CALIGAL112

MEMBER
2000 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
144,000 MILES

My civic starts up fine and once it is going has no problems. The problem I have is when I am first accelerating and need to stop (example stop and go traffic where you don't even get out of first gear or I stop at the stop sign that is one house away from mine) my car starts chugging like it's going to die. The clutch is in when this happens and it doesn't make a difference if I have the AC on. Sometimes it happens in the morning and others at the end of the day. I can find no consistent pattern. I have noticed that it doesn't really do it in cold weather, but now that spring is here it's starting up again. I have found that if I put the car in neutral, the chugging stops. Any suggestions?

6 Replies

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

Are you smelling anything? I was wondering with your last remark about the clutch and neutral if the slave unit might be getting weak and not able to push the clutch anymore. So, do you smell anything like a burning clutch?

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Friday, April 25th, 2008 AT 7:29 PM

CALIGAL112

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I haven't ever smelt anything.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Friday, April 25th, 2008 AT 10:13 PM

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

Have you noticed a difference in the way the clutch feels when you apply pressure to it?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Saturday, April 26th, 2008 AT 12:58 PM

CALIGAL112

MEMBER
4 POSTS

No. Everything feels fine until the car starts chugging.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Saturday, April 26th, 2008 AT 3:06 PM

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

Check the clutch reservoir level. Make sure it is full.

I am sorry, but I just can't get over the thinking that this is a clutch problem. I am thinking that this will get worse and I worry that it will harm the clutch itself. I can't pinpoint the cause but would consider looking at the master or slave unit.