Im pretty sure I am having clutch problems. Everytime the clutch pedal is depressed there is a squeaking noise. When the peddle is released there is a chattery type noise emerging from the clutch. There is also a weird whining noise (like a bearing I think) when you accelerate at speeds above approx. 30kmph. Finally, there seems to be a problem starting that may or may not be related--you turn the key and it wont start right away. It'll usually start after a couple seconds. Oh and it can be hard to shift into reverse sometimes (but I hear that is common with Hondas)

I should add though that there has been no slipping at all when I'm driving.

Any insight? Any idea how much this will set me back?

 

possibly the throw out bearing or pilot bearing has gone out.....but you wont know for sure until the transmission is dropped.

 

If it were the pilot bearing, it'd be an all-the-time kind of problem. What you're describing is a throw-out (release) bearing problem.
You might be able to remedy this temporarily if you can make sure that your clutch pedal free play (how far it travels before it starts to engage) is to spec. FYI, you should generally have about a half inch of free travel. If you can ensure the propper tension in the linkage system, you might be able to correct some of the bearing malfunction at least until you can get it replaced.

Would you say that that whining noise about 30kmph is a faster and more high pitched version of the chattery noise or is it a noise unto itself?

I'd definately put money on the throw out bearing having some excessive wear, though. Don't sweat it. It's a pretty commonly replaced manual trans component.

 

99% sure it's your throwout bearing. Take the tranny down and do a clutch R&R.

Machine the flywheel, do a new pilot bearing, clutch disc, and throwout bearing. You might as well do it all while it's apart.

 

Ugh.

This is what I figured. I can do some things with my car but replacing the clutch is a little beyond my skill, and the tools available (I dont have anything to mount the Tranny on when it comes out).

Another $1000 bill on the car at least.

Jr, I would say that the noise is one unto itself, but it seems to come from the same direction.

 

$1000 seems a little pesimistic.

 

Aside from the basic tool kit, the only special things you'll need are a torque wrench and some sort of stand for the tranny (if that). Pep Boys has both of those things for super cheap, nearly disposable prices. I bought a kit that included a 2 ton hydraulic jack, a pair of jack stands, and a creeper for under twenty five beans. Right next to that, they had a bin full of torque wrenches and cranes for pulling out engines. Their price indicates to me that these produces might be in the "moist towelette" category that includes other one-time-use products. But if they can get the job done for you, they're worth it.

You (and your buddy Chilton) can definately DIY this project, if you keep it simple like replacing the clutch plate and the bearing.

If the whine isn't really loud, I might guess that it's a slighty chipped gear tooth. That'd sound like a quiet click at lower speeds and pitch up to a whine at higher speeds. That's not REALLY likely, but if you've had any hard shifting accompanying your clutch problems, it becomes a more likely scenario that you may have chipped a gear tooth during a shift (or over a period of time).

The most likely cause of the wine, though, is the throwout bearing constanly rubbing on the pressure plate.
You might have some sort of problem in your clutch linkage that results in the bearing resting on the pressure plate all the time, while still not being able to deliver the force required to really release the pressure on the clutch plate. Do you have a hydraulic clutch or is a cable link?

 

hydraulic