Possible clutch problem.

[hendu]

I used the "detailer's trick" to shine up my wife's car engine bay this morning. While I was at it I did the NSX's because I noticed a little dust and the plastic/rubber pieces were a little dull. I let the cars idle for about 15 minutes to evaporate the water. Then I went out to get some lunch and decided to take the NSX, the engine was nice and warmed up from idling, so I decided to punch it at the first red light from my house (about 2 miles away). When I went to bang into second to my horror the clutch "slipped" noticebly. I tested it again by holding the throttle and punching the clutch. There was definately some slippage, not a lot, but noticble. Could the high humidity from the steam cause this or a cold transmission since only the engine was warm? Also, yesterday I took 2 of my friends out for test drives, I was with each of them the whole time when they were driving, and on the last drive my friend slipped the clutch while launching (not that badly though). Could one slip of the clutch ruin a clutch? It seems weird to me that it degenerated so quickly, the engagement up until today has been rock solid, with absolutely no sign of slippeage. I've read all the faq and looked at a lot of previous posts, and I've had clutches go in other cars and they began just like this. Am I just grasping at straws or is possible this is only temporary?

I just did the timing belt, I don't want to do the clutch yet.


------------------
1994 Red/Black NSX #418
Forums Nazi Groupie

 

[nsxtasy]

I doubt it was from sitting and idling. My guess is that the clutch may be starting to go. One slip is not likely to ruin the clutch, but if the clutch was getting close to being worn anyway (without noticeable slipping yet), that may have been enough to make it start slipping. It would probably have started slipping pretty soon anyway though, so don't blame your friend.

Clutches are normal wear items. Look at the bright side; once you replace it, it should be good for another 30-90K miles.