Clutch knackered? (Honda)

[JBACON01]

Hi, bit of a funny way to introduce myself but I didn't really expect to be fixing the car just yet!

I've bought a lotus Elise s1 with a Honda conversion and have owned it all of 2 weeks. It is very much the car that I wanted.

Tonight on the way home (extended route with a few more roundabouts;) I had a good play but didn't go mad, still trying to adjust to the way the car feels and handles, after this I put it in 6th gear for the final stretch only to hear the clutch slipping, especially noticeable when going into vtec. I then tried other gears with the same effect. Does it sound like a knackered clutch? I'm surprised because the ad said it had had one recently fitted.

Thanks

[Omaruk]

does sound like it i am afraid. should only do it in the higher gears though 4,5, 6

[Scuffers]

What spec car is it and what clutch did it have fitted?

It's pretty unusual unless there's something wrong with either the clutch or the release.

[JBACON01]

I was afraid you might say that!

Scuffers- the engine is about 175/180 bhp at the wheels, not sure what that equates to at the fly. As far as I can tell it's a standard engine with custom manifold and exhaust and an aem ecu.

The clutch was an oem Honda one.

[Scuffers]

JBACON01 said:

I was afraid you might say that!

Scuffers- the engine is about 175/180 bhp at the wheels, not sure what that equates to at the fly. As far as I can tell it's a standard engine with custom manifold and exhaust and an aem ecu.

The clutch was an oem Honda one.

well, OEM clutch will stand 300+ hp without any issue, so I can only assume you have a problem with the release mechanism or oil on the plate?

if the slave cyl is OK and you can move it with finger power, then all you left with is pull the engine out and see what's going on.

[The Bandit]

A friend had this recently after a new crankshaft oil seal was fitted(which was found to be faulty/leaking and causing the clutch to slip).
Sounds like an engine/box out job either way

[JBACON01]

I really really hope that isn't the case! To be honest I haven't driven it since, I haven't had time but I'll get out in it tomorrow to see if it's cured itself, or left a patch of oil on the ground

[JBACON01]

Well I took it for a drive. It hadn't cured itself and at one point the clutch pedal stayed down. So after a bit more chatting about it with Honda enthusiasts decided it could be the slave cylinder, either way a good place to start would be taking the undertray off. Couldn't find any evidence of leaks so I resigned myself to fixing the squeaky exhaust (a bolt had snapped and the 2 ends were rubbing against each other) in the mean time my dad had a poke about in the pedal area. I think he had a eureka moment, next thing I know is he has the oil/grease can out and lining up the clutch pedal. Fixed! The pedal wasn't returning all the way back after it had been pressed in not letting the clutch do it's job.

Anyway, took it for a test drive and all was fine and no squeak, so bring on the sunshine

Thanks for all your suggestions.

[CocoUK]

And that Ladies and Gentleman is a result, good work dad!

[4pot]

Now that is a result!

[JBACON01]

Yeah, my dads a dude I reckon given half a chance he'd get an Elise as well. He loves it! Haha.