car troubles... please help!

[charliefoxx]

There is something wrong with my car. My first thought was the clutch. Somewhat suddenly last week after a lot of driving (a lot for me here, which isn't that much compared to how much I used to drive), I noticed that my car would kinda stutter when accelerating, especially in lower gears. Then later that day, driving up to Whistler on a windy

Comments

[overbo]

Definitely not your clutch. The first things to check would be your basic electrical stuff, distributor cap and rotor, spark plugs, and battery. My Z had a problem like this that was solved with a new distributor cap because at low RPMs the alternator wasn't kicking out enough juice to make the spark jump from the rotor to the cap.

Checking your air filter for debris wouldn't hurt either.

That's the cheapest-to-fix stuff, but in any case you're probably going to have to take it in. LOTS of stuff can cause the engine trouble at low RPMs.

[jamminrants]

I'm not sure how the flywheel could be the problem, unless there is a different flywheel that I'm not aware of... The flywheel that I know of is only involved in the process of starting the engine. The starter motor turns the flywheel which then starts the engine. But maybe there is a different flywheel involved in the engine's normal running, so I could be wrong.

Kris' suggestions pretty much sum up what I would check. It would help to know more about what you mean by "stutter." If the RPMs drop, then it seems like the engine isn't firing, which would make sense if it is a spark-plug/distributor/etc problem. If the RPMs stay high, or even go higher, while the car feels like it is slowing down, then I suppose it could be a clutch or transmission problem...

[overbo]

There's a clutch fly-wheel I think that is meant to keep parts of the powertrain spinning while the clutch is engaged so there's not too big of a rotational speed difference in the disconnected parts when you release the clutch. I'd think if that was the problem she'd get the most trouble as she's shifting, not while she's already in gear.

[overbo]

Does the stuttering go away when the clutch is pushed in?

[charliefoxx]

yeah

[jamminrants]

Another question: does the problem seem to be related to the weather at all? I've had Hondas that have similar problems when the humidity is high or after it has rained.

[charliefoxx]

I don't think it's weather related

[arturis]

I'm not aware of any problems a clutch can have that persist when your foot is off the clutch. That could just be my limited experience, but I'd say that if you're in gear and your foot is off the clutch and you're still having difficulty when the engine is below 2500 rpm, then it isn't a clutch problem.

I think there has been some confusion amongst people talking about this based on the fact that you aren't completely clear about what conditions are causing the problem.

So, is the problem only happening when you're using the clutch? Or is it happening when your foot is off the clutch and you're merely driving/accelerating at less than 2500 rmp in any gear? How does the engine run when you're in neutral? Is there a problem when you're idling and out of gear?

[charliefoxx]

So, is the problem only happening when you're using the clutch? Or is it happening when your foot is off the clutch and you're merely driving/accelerating at less than 2500 rmp in any gear?

foot off the clutch, driving at less than 2500 RPM in any gear.

How does the engine run when you're in neutral?

fine

Is there a problem when you're idling and out of gear?

no

[jamesbean]

have you tried pushing your accelerator while in neutral? that will tell you if the engine is having problems while more gas is being pushed through. Which will tell you if it's a firing/electrical issue. If you push on the gas and feel/hear a stuttering then it's probably somewhere in the sparkplug to distributor cap issue. If it's only happening when in gear and trying to accelerate, it's an issue I'd say you'd need a mechanic for. thems my thoughts.

[charliefoxx]

I'm pretty sure it's only a problem when in gear. I'm thinking at this point I'm going to have to take it in, but I want some idea of what might be wrong with it to maybe call around and get some quotes before deciding where to take it. I haven't been to a mechanic here yet and I don't want to get screwed.

[radiks]

Your car is a non-explosive version of the bus from Speed. The only cure is to have Keaneu Reeves and Sandra Bullock perform an exorcism on your car. =)