Corolla over revving while driving

kiddums

Hi Folks,

I have a 98 Toyota Corolla e11 (4e-fe engine). Very recently it has been over revving slightly when I push the accelerator down quickly, however as of last night it is now doing this every time I apply more than the weight of my shoe to the accelerator.

Does anyone know whats causing this? It is now quite difficult to drive as I cannot accelerate quickly from junctions or go up steep hills.
I don't have the money to give to a mechanic if its something I can do myself.

Avns1s

Clutch needs replacing. Put it into 3rd gear with the handbrake on, let out the clutch. If the car doesn't stall immediately, then the clutch needs to be replaced.

kiddums

I was hoping no one would say that.

I'll try that when I'm leaving work and see.

Is there anything I can do to keep me on the road for the next few days?

Avns1s

Nothing much you can do bar get it replaced. It can essentially become totally undriveable very, very quickly leaving you stranded!

kiddums

Ah B****. Iam at work, 30 miles from home, and I need my car for work. And probablly a loan to get it fixed.

mickdw

Avns1s wrote: »

Nothing much you can do bar get it replaced. It can essentially become totally undriveable very, very quickly leaving you stranded!

Yes, pretty much guaranteed to be a worn clutch.

Avns1s

You need to be very gentle with the accelerator. There's no knowing exactly how long it'll keep giving enough power to drive the car. I have seen them give in more or less totally from what you describe, in a matter of 10 miles depending on terrain and conditions.

Cheensbo

Sounds like a slipping clutch alright, not too difficult or expensive to change in those so you'll not be put out for too long hopefully.




Re: longevity of a slipping clutch, a friend has a Toyota Dyna, that has had a completely f*cked clutch for nearly 5 years now, it sounds like an auto, and just plods along not a bother on it, i reckon it has done over 50k miles with the clutch as is..

kiddums

Is this something I'd be better off getting a mechanic to do?
Or is this something that anyone with a very basic understanding could do?

Avns1s

You'd want to have more than just a basic competence to change a clutch. Unless you are well acquainted with cars and servicing, best to get a mechanic.

kiddums

Figures.
I can do my own basic service, but I wouldnt venture past that unless I needed to/had a good guide.
I was just hoping to keep the cost down if I could.

Avns1s

Ok, well only you can know your own limitations. Changing a clutch is generally not that difficult but it's a significant multiple of complexity above just doing a service.

Looking at about €400-€450 I would expect in a good independent garage.

kiddums

If thats the kind of cost I need to expect then I think I need to re evaluate this car. It's needing brakes and CV joints done soon too. Add all that together then it comes close to the cost of the car.

canhefixit

kiddums wrote: »

If thats the kind of cost I need to expect then I think I need to re evaluate this car. It's needing brakes and CV joints done soon too. Add all that together then it comes close to the cost of the car.

Things like brake pads and cv joints wear on every car and need replaced and if your are handy with the spanners you could do those jobs yourself, if your car is grand with not to much more wrong with it I would suggest getting clutch replaced and drive it on as you will at least then know the car is sound for many more miles to come imo...

kiddums

canhefixit wrote: »

Things like brake pads and cv joints wear on every car and need replaced and if your are handy with the spanners you could do those jobs yourself, if your car is grand with not to much more wrong with it I would suggest getting clutch replaced and drive it on as you will at least then know the car is sound for many more miles to come imo...

Thats good to hear. I don't know how handy I would be.
Its the disks and pads that need done now.
Would you still suggest it for a car that I would be luck to get 600 to sell?
I really don't know what to do now.

galwaytt

kiddums wrote: »

If thats the kind of cost I need to expect then I think I need to re evaluate this car. It's needing brakes and CV joints done soon too. Add all that together then it comes close to the cost of the car.

...unless you're going to buy something much newer/better -aka more expensive, you'll just end up spending €€ on that anyway.

At least with your own car you know what has to be done, and how much it's going to take to get it right.

The devil-you-know is better than the devil-you-don't and all that