5 Clutch slipping symptoms
What is clutch slip? Clutch slip means that the friction between the plates has been lost due to being worn out. Hence, the engine is rotating relatively independently of the transmission. As we know, a clutch system has plates named pressure plate and clutch disc (know as friction plate).
These plates transfer the crankshaft motion to the transmission by rubbing against each other. The friction between the plates makes the transmission shaft rotate at the same speed as the engine speed.
The Clutch disc wears out after a while. Every time you start the car from a dead stop, you grind off a tiny bit of the "friction material" glued to both sides of the disc. After 50,000-100,000 miles, you will need a new clutch disc depending on how you drive and what your clutch is made of. Here are five clutch slipping symptoms before your clutch goes out
1. Difficult to shift gears
The first clutch slipping symptom is difficult to shift on any gears. It is the most common sign if your clutch is going out. When shifting gears, we must disconnect the engine power from the transmission, which is what a clutch does.
When the clutch disconnects the power from the engine, the transmission gears will have a better ability to reduce their speed and make the transmission gearshift process easier.
When the clutch slips, the clutch doesn't disconnect the engine power properly. It distracts the input shaft transmission rotation and the gears' rotation as the gears store the engine power rotation; it's difficult to change the gears.
2. Clutch pedal play get shorter
The second clutch slipping symptom is your clutch pedal play gets shorter. Clutch pedal play is a travel distance between the top position of the clutch pedal to the bottom (floor) minus clutch pedal free play when the pedal is pressed.
Clutch pedal play is the distance needed to press the clutch disc until it is completely disconnected with engine rotation. When the clutch slip occurs, your clutch pedal play will be shorter than normal even the clutch pedal height isn't changed.
Longer clutch pedal play indicates that the clutch disc is still in thick condition, and shorter clutch pedal play indicates that the clutch disc is thin.
3. Squeaking and grumbling noise when clutch pressure is applied
The third clutch slipping symptom is when you hear squeaking and grumbling noise when we press the clutch pedal, mostly from the clutch and gearbox position. To transfer the power and speed rotation, the clutch disc (friction plate) uses pads to get smoother and reliable contact.
When the pad is gone, the friction plate just left the metal plate is clamped by the pressure plate and flywheel. When the clutch pedal is pressed, the pressure plate will let the clutch disc spin over. Because the clutch disc only leaves a metal plate, it will rub against each other and create squeaking and grumbling noises.
Read also :4. The engine rev and speed acceleration didn't match up
The next clutch slipping symptom is when the engine rev didn't match your car's speed and acceleration. You can see the differences between the engine rpm (shown on the tachometer) and the vehicle's speed (shown on the speedometer ). A slipping clutch will show that your engine rpm will rise faster than your vehicle speed.
For normal conditions, the tachometer (engine rpm) should go up with the same angular speed as the speedometer (car speed). It means that there is a weak link between your engine and your wheels. It is the time when you press the accelerator pedal and the engine revs faster, but the car does not accelerate.
5. Unusual burning smell
The last clutch slipping symptom is when an unusual burning smell happens. A burning smell from the clutch is a result of the friction between the plates of the clutch. The smell comes from the hot frictional padding present between the clutch plates.
Where there is friction, there is heat and, in turn, the wearing of the material experiencing friction. If the clutch plates are perfectly engaged and there is no relative motion between the clutch plates, the smell should not come. The burning smell indicates that it is time to replace the friction plate of the clutch to maintain proper engagement.