Rep Power: 0

I bought a 98 manual civic coupe about 3 weeks ago and it runs great. Apparently the previous owner had a daiken exedy clutch fitted and I assumed it was pretty new, as the guy was slowly modding it.
At first I noticed after changing gears, if i accelerated heavily the gears would slip slightly. Backing off the accelerator for a second would fix it and it would grab.
Planned on going for a long drive tonight to open it up a little but everytime I put my foot down more than halfway the gears would slip and not grab at all. I down shifted from 5th back to 4th then 3rd but they all slipped, pulled over stopped completely then took off again, it was a little better but when i began hill climbing they all slipped and eventually something under the bonnet or car started smoking (im assuming the clutch) and I had to turn around and go home.
All indicators point to a f**kd clutch.
Just need a little input from my fellow civic drivers.
I live in Melbourne, Australia
Any advice, or knowledge on a good place to go to get this sorted will help.
Also could this happen if I have no clutch fluid? And is it possible I more than the clutch is damaged?
I drive a quickly but I don't thrash the car.
Thanks for the help guys
oh and also, I let the car cool and took it for another gentle drive, seems back to how it was before the big drive. On a scale of 1-10 how bad is it?

 
Rep Power: 235

Sounds like a bad friction disc. If it is, it'll get worse and worse until it won't work any more.

This is a hydraulic clutch, right? Look for leaks along the hydraulic system. A common failure is an internal leak in the slave cylinder. It's on the outside of the tranny.

 
Rep Power: 518

At first I noticed after changing gears, if i accelerated heavily the gears would slip slightly. Backing off the accelerator for a second would fix it and it would grab.

It needed a clutch job back here.

but when i began hill climbing they all slipped and eventually something under the bonnet or car started smoking (im assuming the clutch) and I had to turn around and go home.

Be glad you quit when you did and made it home. Most would be needing a tow truck.


The smoke should have stunk like hell. Brakes can smell the same way.


All indicators point to a f**kd clutch.

AYUP. Smart cookie.



a good place to go to get this sorted will help.

A shop that can replace a clutch and not screw anything else up in the process.


Also could this happen if I have no clutch fluid?

No. The pedal would have been on the floor with no feeling.



And is it possible I more than the clutch is damaged?

Flywheel will need inspected. Decide then.

oh and also, I let the car cool and took it for another gentle drive, seems back to how it was before the big drive. On a scale of 1-10 how bad is it?

Still needs a clutch job. It will not heal itself.

HOT BRAKES FAIL, the clutch can too in the exact same way. Same principles and materials and everything are involved.





The life of a clutch depends entirely on the driver.
Either you need to learn, or the previous owner needs to learn.
I can't tell from here, but SOMEONE burned it up.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the help guys
I found a place with will replace it with an exedy heavy duty clutch with labour for under $900.
I figure it was like that when I bought it because I've been driving manual since I got my licence and this is the first time I ever had clutch trouble, especially since it has been slipping mildly since I got it.
That DIY page was really helpful too.