Ok, yes, I have searched numerous times but cannot find something different than just a basic 'slipping clutch'. Here is what happened previously and what's going on now...

Vehicle is an '04 base (45k miles)

March (2008), the clutch started gradually slipping little by little. I know what a slip feels like from all angles whether it be 'gassing it in a higher gear and having RPMs rise without acceleration' to just feeling it while changing gears. I would say that it took about 3 weeks from the point of when i first noticed ANY sign of slippage, to the point of where it was barely even driveable (clutch pretty much gone).

So What better time to upgrade, i had a JWT clutch/flywheel put in, amazing clutch by the way.

PRESENT DAY..
late-November 2008 (8 or 9 months later)...I felt the first initial slip (being the high gear test) on a Wednesday. The engagement point event felt higher than usual, now that i recall. By Saturday (3 DAYS later), i took it to my mechanic immediately because i was afraid the car would not make it there had i waited another day or two, the clutch seemed to be completely INEFFECTIVE. I could drop the clutch in first with a 3k rev and it felt like the engagement point would stick to the top and the car would barely make its way forward.

What seemed different to me was that (with this instance) the clutch would engage MORE the higher the RPMs were revved, whereas with the previous slip occurence (in March) the slipping clutch would just slip throughout the gear regardless of the RPMs

I am a good driver, i know how to drive my car properly, i've been driving manual since i was 15 i've had a MT vehicle ever since (i am now 22). My concerns being..is it possible that the JWT clutch just died in only 8 months (seems way too fast)? Also, the thing that makes me believe this is a different problem than before, is because the clutch was gone in 3 days as opposed to the 3 weeks it took before. The occurence in March seemed to 'deteriorate' way more gradual and slowly.

I'm really hoping it's NOT the clutch, would a master/slave cylinder have anything to do with this?

Any info is greatly appreciated. Thank you
p.s. - sry for the wall of text =P

 

I assume that you will have to remove and inspect the clutch.

 

I would, if i had the know-how and tools to perform that task. It is currently at my mechanic's shop, i'm wanting to get the forum members' opinions so then i can compare it to his. Once he tells me what he thinks i'll post his opinion here so yall can see it and reflect on it to see if it is reasonable.

 

Have you checked your clutch fluid reservoir to make sure you have fluid? Pop the cap off if you've just looked at it from the outside- the fluid will stain the inside of the reservoir over the years and make it look full when it is not.

You may have a slow fluid leak and not even realize it.

IMO, it's one of three things:

- faulty slave cylinder/ new clutch installation error
- leaking fluid
- driver error (riding the clutch- don't take this personally)

 

Ok I just got back from my mechanics shop. I'm going to be installing yet another JWT kit. He claims that a big problem are the aluminum flywheels. He says that since they're so light it wears the clutch more quickly. To an extent I take his word on this. I guess I just have to be more careful when driving and not let the inexperienced friends drive it :/

Oh and it is actually gone, he brought me in and showed me where pieces fell out after removing a certain sensor/plug on the tranny. That thing got torn up

 

Why? It’s a piece of metal that spins. Aluminum? Steel? What’s the difference?

 

Photos always helpful.

 

i believe it was right here where he removed a sensor of some sort and pieces came out =\

 

That hole is where fill the tranny up with fluid

 

+1

 

ok guys I just got back from dropping off the clutch at the shop. He showed me the previous one and it is indeed totally torn up. Another thing he brought to my attention was the throw-out bearing HOUSING. He showed me how it's supposed to spin in it's place but it really couldn't because it was messed up somehow as to prevent the bearing from moving. So he's ordering one of those.