Clutch Issues After Driving Through Heavy Rain?
 

We are experiencing heavy flash floods at the moment where I live and I just so happened to be driving through said flash flood. I drove through a rather deep puddle on accident not being able to see and ever since my clutch when pressed makes a squeaking noise that is quite noticeable inside and outside the car, and it also drops my rpms to sub 500 at idle whereas before it would idle at 700-900 with the clutch pressed. After getting past 1200 rpms everything sounds and runs fine, but as soon as I slow down for a light and press the clutch in the noise and smell start back up.

Another thing to note is there is a burning smell also when the clutch is pressed and appeared to be some smoke.

Here is a video: [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YI6g0Ja8mA"]Frs issue - YouTube[/ame]


Also, it looks like somethings going on with the belt? I'm not sure. I've never paid attention to it running so I'm not sure if it is supposed to stop and start as displayed in the video. Does anyone have any clues?

Note: The noise is not the crickets, but they are clearly audible.

Edit: It is a 2013 FRS Manual with no mods. Just FYI.

The AC compressor stops by design, it has it's own clutch, the belt is still turning. I believe the ECU temporarily disables the AC when ever you depress the clutch.

That click noise afaik is not normal, something is up with your AC compressor.

I guess that's one thing. Can you think of anything related to high pitch noise when pressing the clutch? That was my main concern as it just started happening when I drove through a puddle about 6-8 inches deep maybe deeper.

How high was the water?

I wonder if you got water in the bellhousing of the tranny . That would certainly cause slippage and smoking.

If I had to guess, anywhere from 6-10 inches would be my estimate. My car almost came to a complete halt as soon as I drove into it and I tried to get out of the puddle asap.

Here are two more videos from the interior. The first is of the startup which seems laggier, and the second is of the sound/RPMs. The sound is more prominent and you can see how the RPM's act when the clutch pedal is pressed.

Video 1: [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8d7AyKf0uE"]Clutch press issue - YouTube[/ame]


Video 2: [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-opWjsp-wyE"]Clutch press issue 2 - YouTube[/ame]

The A/C compressor clutch usually "clicks" when it engages.....maybe that's the clicking sound, which is normal.

As mentioned, maybe water got into the bell housing, causing some slippage ...... it will dry out.


humfrz

First observation, the cranking speed of your starter motor was slower than mine. You might need a new a battery or it could be from the water.

Hmm, do you think it's possible the water came as high as the air intake, roughly front badge height on the car? If so, you're lucky your engine still turns. How fast were you going when you entered 6 to 10 inches of water ?

With water being 6 to 10 inches if you had any speed greater than say 5mph , the water has a high chance of going directly into places it shouldn't be.

Imo, there is no quick fix for this. Hopefully someone chimes in with something more positive for you, but my gut feeling is you need to do a clutch immediately and hope for the best.

So around the 18 second mark in the second video while I'm inside the car, the sound that it is making when the clutch is pressed that is what it sounds like when it is slipping?

If I had to guess maybe 15mph. I do not believe it got that high though as to get into my airbox. When I got home I checked the engine bay and it all appeared to be 100% dry.

https://demos.starbase7.net/t3Portal...ncf_index.html

The tranny is supposed to be waterproof but since this is not a 4x4 for mudding, I'm thinking it's probably more splash proof. It sounds like you got water in there, I'd change the transmission fluid ASAP before driving anymore. Clutch + Water= nope

When you depress the clutch you're physically moving the clutch away from the flywheel, if water is up in there the clutch is now compressing water against the bell housing and causing the noise ? that's my guess.

It's like a torque converter effect, automatic transmissions use fluid to "couple" the flywheel.

Definitely check the engine oil for any signs of water and if there is , do an oil and filter change.
The clutch should dry out quickly with driving and might be a bit sticky/grabby until any rust spots wear off.

Ok, I'll check all that in the morning once the engine is cooled off and everything has had time to dry.

Before you get all concerned, I'd suggest you take your car out, put it in 2nd gear, rev it up to about 3,500 rpms and s-l-o-w-l-y let the clutch out till the engine dies. Do that 2 or 3 times ...... that should dry off the clutch disk.


humfrz