Car hesitating after gear change

steve22

Hi everyone, have a question that im hoping someone can help me out with...

Car: 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX - 158k Kms

Basically my car is "hesitating" or chugging slightly after each gear change when trying to accelerate quickly. It isnt really noticable when accelerating slowly but is probably still there. it only does it for about 1 second before leveling out and increasing speed steadily (as it should.)
Is this a clutch starting to slip or is there anything else it could be. I have tried a few tests on the clutch but as far as i can make out it seems to be fine but maybe the tests arent as accurate when the clutch is only starting to fail)
Thanks in advance for any help

Max_Damage

My Escort is doing the same thing. The clutch will need to be replaced.

steve22

as long as thats the only problem its not so bad...

steve22

also, is it necessary to change the flywheel while changing the clutch?

Max_Damage

Usually not. Unless the clutch is really wore down to the point the springs are grinding against the flywheel, it'll be grand.

Biro

Some manufacturers recommend changing the flywheel with the clutch, so maybe check with subaru UK or IRL.
You should be able to test if it's the clutch though.
Could it be that the turbo isn't dumping air properly after boosting in every gear?

steve22

@ Max Damage... the fact that its only a slight slip in the clutch i would assume it hasnt done any harm to the flywheel yet...but i could be wrong.

@ Biro... i never thought of that, it could be the case seeing as its only noticable in higher gears. is there any way you know of testing something like this or would i have to take it to someone who knows more about it than me? i know you should be able to test the clutch but i thought because it was only a slight slip the tests wouldnt be 100%

Biro

steve22 wrote: »

@ Max Damage... the fact that its only a slight slip in the clutch i would assume it hasnt done any harm to the flywheel yet...but i could be wrong.

@ Biro... i never thought of that, it could be the case seeing as its only noticable in higher gears. is there any way you know of testing something like this or would i have to take it to someone who knows more about it than me? i know you should be able to test the clutch but i thought because it was only a slight slip the tests wouldnt be 100%

Well, I'm not a mechanic, so hopefully someone in the know will follow up with actual knowledge! Would a clutch slipping be more noticable in lower gears than higher ones?
I don't know where the valve on a turbo is, but I'd say it's not that simple to figure out if that's the problem or not. If it's not difficult to fit a dump valve then that might be a quick way to see if that's the problem. Again, never fitted a dump valve so I've no idea how hard or easy that might be.

steve22

no problem Biro, I'm obviously not a mechanic either but at least by bringing up that suggestion someone might be able to clear it up... i hope!

Biro

steve22 wrote: »

no problem Biro, I'm obviously not a mechanic either but at least by bringing up that suggestion someone might be able to clear it up... i hope!

Hope you get sorted though, they're a decent car!

steve22

i hope so too. Ah if i dont have any joy here i'll change one thing...if that doesnt work ill change the other... and if im still no better off i'll go to a garage

maidhc

funny enough my focus (1.8 TDCI) is doing that as well in the past few days.

I dont think it is the clutch, there is just a hesitation, nothing is slipping. I'm hedging my bets on a split boost pipe (which isn't obvious, but I havn't looked very hard). The MAF has never been cleaned, so i might have a look at that. Otherwise maybe the turbo is on its way out, but i'd like to think not as the car is running perfectly with no black smoke or anything.

It can't be the turbo dumping in my case, as it is diesel (and not throttled like a petrol)

Eoin

steve22 wrote: »

@ Max Damage... the fact that its only a slight slip in the clutch i would assume it hasnt done any harm to the flywheel yet...but i could be wrong.

Don't leave it too long. I did in my old car - it didn't seem to be slipping as much as it obvious was, and got stung for a new flywheel alone as it was worn too much to even get skimmed. That was €900 for the part alone

steve22

thanks for the help guys, at least i have a few things to check now! i'll be sure to let ye know when i get it sorted out anyway.