Redwing - Unusual incident

[Redwing]

This is something new, kinda upsetting since I have no idea what is going on.

Yesterday I went to a friends house, she has a really steep driveway going up to her house. RedBird was in 2nd gear because we had not stopped before starting up the hill. She slowed down going up it, and when I gave her more gas she did not go any faster, just struggled up it. I did not try to go down into 1st gear because I thought there was not enough time, and didn't want to stall out there on the hill.

When we were at the top, I smelled a heavy odor of rubber, this is the problem! What in the world is that??? Why did this happen???

I went ahead and parked with full response from RB. She was over whatever was bothering her.

I don't have anything else like this driveway I drive on. Just at her house. Normal roads with hills are not a problem. They are not this steep.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Jai 😇 🚘

[Zed Head]

Kind of sounds like one or both back tires were rubbing.  Maybe the steep angle loaded the body down on to the tires.  Any unusual noises?

[SteveJ]

It might have been the clutch slipping.

[Zed Head]

Great point.  Unfortunately the tachometer doesn't work to see the speed - RPM mismatch.  For Jai - did engine RPM rise without car speed changing?

 

That much slippage probably means time for a new clutch.  A burnt clutch smells somewhat like rubber when it's toast (humor...).

[Patcon]

The clutch was probably slipping. Next time go to 1st gear before you start up the driveway. Even if the clutch slips some in second on that particular driveway you can probably get some more mileage out of it. Just don't make it work that hard.

[Zed Head]

Yes, you can still drive on a bad clutch.  It just limits performance.  Didn't mean to add to the to-do list, it can wait.

[Redwing]

Thank you ZedHead, Steve, and Patcon.

Zed, yes the RPM'S were up with no change in speed. (Toast... hahaha) Nope, no other noise.

Steve, Thanks for mentioning the clutch, got that thought churning.

Patcon, Ok I will use 1st gear when going up next time. Which will be 2 weeks from yesterday.

Glad to hear it is not an imminent repair. Placing it on the looong list.

I have a nice, shiny, air conditioned, new, pretty (?), vehicle outside. Have no idea what it is, they

all look alike. The insurance company got me a rental car (bucket of bolts). But I'm not interested

in driving IT anywhere. Blah, it is Not My Lady. AND, I Did Not park it in RedBird's carport. She

might realize it, like a dog would, and refuse to take me flying off into the wild for a spin. Hmmm..

Thank you all, you are so special to me...

Jai

[rcb280z]

Wow Jai, you can't seem to catch a break. If it has just now started to slip you still have a little life in it. But like said above take it easier on it for now until you can get it changed. 

[Stanley]

Suggest shifting crisply to prolong life of the clutch. It seems like it's easier on components to depress and release the clutch slowly when shifting, but it wears the clutch out faster, especially if it's already worn.

Probably doesn't need to be said, but keeping the gas pedal down before releasing the clutch, as in "launch" or "getting scratch in second" is horrible for a worn out clutch. 

 

I wore out a couple of clutches in my Chevy truck before I changed my driving habits (don't ride the clutch), and went with an extra heavy duty clutch.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Stanley

[Jeff G 78]

Yep, sounds like the clutch was slipping.  Chances are good that there was no real damage.  Clutches can slip if pushed too hard, but it takes quite a bit of slipping to do damage.  All slipping is bad and will reduce the life, but don't sweat it.  The next time you are on a long 2nd gear grade, put it in 4th or 5th  gear and see if it slips again.  Watch the tach and listen for an increase in RPM.  If it slips, the clutch is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced.  If left to slip, the flywheel will be damaged and will likely need to be replaced rather than simply resurfaced.

[Redwing]

Yep, sounds like the clutch was slipping.  Chances are good that there was no real damage.  Clutches can slip if pushed too hard, but it takes quite a bit of slipping to do damage.  All slipping is bad and will reduce the life, but don't sweat it.  The next time you are on a long 2nd gear grade, put it in 4th or 5th  gear and see if it slips again.  Watch the tach and listen for an increase in RPM.  If it slips, the clutch is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced.  If left to slip, the flywheel will be damaged and will likely need to be replaced rather than simply resurfaced.

Thank you for your input. I will do that about putting her into 4th (no 5th) on a hill to check. But non working tach too, so will have to play it out by ear. Someday, after the major things that keep her from running right are finished, I need to figure out the tach.

Jai

[Redwing]

Wow Jai, you can't seem to catch a break. If it has just now started to slip you still have a little life in it. But like said above take it easier on it for now until you can get it changed.

It was funny! When I read about it being the clutch, I got a big grin. At Least it is something that is Known! Not a nebulous incident leaving us all scratching our heads for an answer. I can deal with that diagnosis.

As to catching a break, yes there has been quite a lot of problems. But, looking on the bright side, I think RedBird is still in a lot better shape than some here. (No throwing stones.) So I still feel blessed to have This Car as My Friendly Vehicle to share my life with. Too optimistic, well maybe. But at least I do not go around looking whipped, and being so depressed about it. Given a choice, I choose to be cheerful. Life is what you make of it!

Thanks to you and the others who have chosen to assist me on my journey!!!

Jai