Clutch suddenly sticking, squeaking, and killing the car
 

Hey guys. Weird, spontaneous problem I had tonight. I was in a parking lot about to shift into reverse, and my clutch just suddenly stopped working. The pedal had no resistance to it and wouldn't push itself back out. If the pedal is pushed in the car dies.

Here's all the details I have (2013 manual):
-No resistance on the clutch pedal, but this was only a temporary problem. It somehow "fixed" itself after a few minutes.
-The clutch pedal, after being pushed, now kind of sticks a little bit before coming back out.
-Car dies if the clutch is pushed in for more than like one second (so I have to get the RPM's up before pushing in the clutch).
-There is some sort of mild burning smell. It doesn't smell like burning clutch, but almost a musty smell, like when you haven't had the A/C on for a while when you're on vacation, then you come back and your home smells a bit strange. My friend described it as burning rubber.
-There is a chirping noise when I push the clutch in. Sort of like that notorious engine chirp most of the original FR-S's had.
-There is also another noise; a louder, deeper squeak once the clutch is all the way pushed in, and also when it comes out.

If anyone has any insight that would be great. This is a daily so I need it back up and running ASAP. I'll probably try to take it to the dealership tomorrow or some other place but I doubt it's a problem that can be fixed on a Sunday during an unplanned auto shop visit.

It sounds like the release bearing may have failed. No resistance in the clutch pedal usually indicates the clutch fork and release bearing are not pushing the pressure plate. Noise and burning smell are also signs

That's a bummer ...... :(

How many miles on your car .. ??

For something to do before you take it to the shop, you might check the clutch/brake fluid reservoir to make sure it's full.

Then, to further occupy yourself, you could bleed the clutch system.

If you aren't lucky, I reckon you had better look for an alternate form of transportation to get to work ....... while someone replaces the clutch, pressure plate, clutch fork and throw out bearing.

:sigh:


humfrz

Hailing @Ultramaroon ...... what-cha think ... ??

The lack of resistance and pedal sticking to the floor lead me to believe you may have lost your clutch fluid. Have you checked your reservoir?

Also, if it drained out the slave cylinder, it runs down behind the bell housing and drips onto the mid pipe. Brake fluid burns with a really odd acrid smell.

That it works for a little while but then drags, that also sounds like really low fluid - just enough to pump up but doesn't hold.

Clutch release bearings don't usually give out with no warning.

Oh, exactly! Oops. I think you got it.

Did the rubber bell house cover fall inside the clutch area?

The part this replaces: https://www.velox-motorsports.com/pr...2-d3784bb555ba

If you look behind the intake manifold and there's a hole up there you can stick your hand inside to reach the clutch area - that's definitely a problem.

@artizhay What ended up being the fix here? My clutch just did the same today :/

Thanks for the help.

OP hasn't logged in since he started this thread. I'll guess your TOB took a dump. Common failure.

I never noticed the missing bell house cover until I recently did my clutch swap. Not sure how long it's been missing, but I couldn't find evidence of it anywhere on the engine or inside the tranny.

It sounds like his throw out bearing is toasted. Many people are pulling literally burned-up bearings from their trans, years 2013-2016 seem affected. Get the upgraded part which uses a more suitable lubricated bearing.