1996 Honda Civic - Strange Transmission Symptoms - Revs high, slow to accelerate

[moktarino]

My civic has been treating me great until about six months ago. About that time it started with this strange grumbly whining sound whenever it was in gear and driving, mostly when accelerating. About a month ago, I noticed that I had a very small range of accelerator-pedal motion in which I could accelerate. If I pushed the pedal past that, the engine just revved like it would if the clutch pedal were depressed. About that time I noticed that the grumbly whining sound went away. Since then, on only one occasion, the grumbly sound returned and my acceleration returned to normal.

So, basically, it takes me about 20 seconds to get to 60mph from zero, and I have a hard time getting much past 70mph on the highway. The engine is running fine, the issue is that it seems that not much power is getting to the wheels. Can anybody help me?

Thanks,

Nate

 

['Curly Q. Links']

My civic has been treating me great until about six months ago. About that time it started with this strange grumbly whining sound whenever it was in gear and driving, mostly when accelerating. About a month ago, I noticed that I had a very small range of accelerator-pedal motion in which I could accelerate. If I pushed the pedal past that, the engine just revved like it would if the clutch pedal were depressed. About that time I noticed that the grumbly whining sound went away. Since then, on only one occasion, the grumbly sound returned and my acceleration returned to normal.

So, basically, it takes me about 20 seconds to get to 60mph from zero, and I have a hard time getting much past 70mph on the highway. The engine is running fine, the issue is that it seems that not much power is getting to the wheels. Can anybody help me?

Thanks,

Nate

What's the mileage, how long have you had it and where have you ever had the tranny serviced?

'Curly'

 

[moktarino]

Oops, it has 168k and when I first got it I had a "roller bearing" replaced in the transmission. It made a bad-bearing noise when the clutch was depressed.

 

[Michael Pardee]

Oops, it has 168k and when I first got it I had a "roller bearing" replaced in the transmission. It made a bad-bearing noise when the clutch was depressed.

Unless I'm missing something here, it sure sounds like a worn-out clutch. I assume if you pop the clutch the engine doesn't stall and the wheels don't spin; it just revs and gradually moves forward?

Mike

 

[moktarino]

Yep, that's what it is. Thanks guys for your help!

 

[Gordon McGrew]

Yep, that's what it is. Thanks guys for your help!

This has been a test of the obvious problem diagnosis system. Had this been an actual obvious problem, the OP would have replaced the clutch months ago. This concludes this test of the obvious problem diagnosis system.