I've got an 01 EX w/ 71k mi, and when I engage 1st from a start, it begins to shake the whole car if I don't apply more gas. I know this sounds like me shifting poorly, and that I'm just not giving it enough gas, but I've been driving this car for 2 years and have not had a problem like this. At first I suspected clutch slip, but I've read that slipping usually occurs in higher gears first. Any ideas?

I really don't think it applies, but it started happening the same week my Ksports went on.

Thanks,
Baker

 

Oil could've gotten on your clutch disk from a leaky transmission seal. Paradoxically, that makes the clutch "grab" instead of slip. It's also possible the damper springs in the clutch disk have broken.

 

Yeah, I've heard about the oil on the disk, but most have said that it will go away after a bit. This seems to slowly be getting worse. Also, would it happen in more then 1 gear if it were either of those problems? It seems like springs or oil would be apparent through all of the gears.

Thanks for the response man.

 

Starting off in first is where you'd really notice it, because it is essential to have controlled slippage. Someone who's driving properly and matching the rpms well can "dump" the clutch while going up thru the other gears and the car won't jerk.

 

Good point, I'll keep an eye on it, and keep asking around to see if anyone can confirm, or has other ideas. Thanks a lot!

 

It sounds like 'hot spots' on the flywheel and clutch disk to me. These occur when the friction has caused too much heat and burned both surfaces, resulting in highly polished contact patches. In this case, the clutch is indeed slipping between the hot spots and the less polished areas. Heavy slipping of the clutch during take-off usually causes this.

The only way to get rid of it is to resurface the flywheel and replace the clutch disk (or resurface the clutch disk itself if there's still plenty of material).

It's not going to go away either, it'll just going to get more noticeable with time.

Oil on the clutch disk and/or flywheel is usually accompanied by a film on the underside of the transmission housing and whatever else is in the area thanks to the leaking seal(s)... along with evidence on the ground under the car if it sits long enough.

 

try checking your timeing belt

 

Can't hurt... but if it was a timing belt, it would most likely be felt through all of the gears.

 

yea well not always tho my timing belt was slightly worn and i could only feal it when i was at a red light in first gear but jst a suggestion

 

Your clutch is just getting old. Dumper springs do not do their job properly any more. Nothing serious, you just need to give it a bit more gas when you start. You can live with this until you really need to replace your clutch.