Help!!! I dont know what's wrong

I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a five
speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have to
push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that all
my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches. What
is that, the transmission or the clutch?

<socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1162486007.797238.119610@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a five
> speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have to
> push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that all
> my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches. What
> is that, the transmission or the clutch?
>[/color]

When you say that the gears "do not shift good" do you mean that it is
difficult to put the gearshift lever into position or do you hear a grinding
noise when shifting?

check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder next to the brake master
cylinder in the engine compartment.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1162486007.797238.119610@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> >I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a five
> > speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have to
> > push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that all
> > my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches. What
> > is that, the transmission or the clutch?
> >[/color]
>
> When you say that the gears "do not shift good" do you mean that it is
> difficult to put the gearshift lever into position or do you hear a grinding
> noise when shifting?
>
> check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder next to the brake master
> cylinder in the engine compartment.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]


No, the gears shift into position well, its just that the gears do not
catch upon shifting. When it finally gets into gear, the engine revs,
but the car does not speed up.

If this is his first clutch with 139k miles, he got his money's worth.


"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:e5e0f$454a5ffb$44a4a10d$21600@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>>
>> Ray O wrote:[color=darkred]
>>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1162486007.797238.119610@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>> >I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a five
>>> > speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have
>>> > to
>>> > push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that all
>>> > my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches. What
>>> > is that, the transmission or the clutch?
>>> >
>>>
>>> When you say that the gears "do not shift good" do you mean that it is
>>> difficult to put the gearshift lever into position or do you hear a
>>> grinding
>>> noise when shifting?
>>>
>>> check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder next to the brake
>>> master
>>> cylinder in the engine compartment.
>>> --
>>>
>>> Ray O
>>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>>
>>
>> No, the gears shift into position well, its just that the gears do not
>> catch upon shifting. When it finally gets into gear, the engine revs,
>> but the car does not speed up.
>>[/color]
>
> That sounds like a worn clutch or worn pressure plate.
>
> Factors that cause rapid clutch wear are drivers who are relatively new to
> driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, excessive slipping of the
> clutch, drive frequently in stop-and-go traffic, downshift frequently,
> frequent start on inclines, and holding the car on an incline by slipping
> the clutch instead of using the brake.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
>[/color]

On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:15:35 -0600, Ray O wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>>
>> Ray O wrote:[color=darkred]
>>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1162486007.797238.119610@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>> >I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a five
>>> > speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have to
>>> > push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that all
>>> > my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches. What
>>> > is that, the transmission or the clutch?
>>> >
>>>
>>> When you say that the gears "do not shift good" do you mean that it is
>>> difficult to put the gearshift lever into position or do you hear a
>>> grinding
>>> noise when shifting?
>>>
>>> check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder next to the brake
>>> master
>>> cylinder in the engine compartment.
>>> --
>>>
>>> Ray O
>>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>>
>>
>> No, the gears shift into position well, its just that the gears do not
>> catch upon shifting. When it finally gets into gear, the engine revs,
>> but the car does not speed up.
>>[/color]
>
> That sounds like a worn clutch or worn pressure plate.
>
> Factors that cause rapid clutch wear are drivers who are relatively new to
> driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, excessive slipping of the
> clutch, drive frequently in stop-and-go traffic, downshift frequently,
> frequent start on inclines, and holding the car on an incline by slipping
> the clutch instead of using the brake.[/color]


Hey, Ray, I always downshift. Have been since I bought my first Toyota.

What do you mean by "Downshift Frequently"?
I have 259,000 on the ORIGINAL clutch on my Corolla, and the Corolla
before that went 235,000 on the original clutch!

"Hachiroku" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
news:pan.2006.11.02.21.15.07.220712@AE86.gts...[color=blue]
> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:15:35 -0600, Ray O wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> Ray O wrote:[/color]
>> That sounds like a worn clutch or worn pressure plate.
>>
>> Factors that cause rapid clutch wear are drivers who are relatively new
>> to
>> driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, excessive slipping of the
>> clutch, drive frequently in stop-and-go traffic, downshift frequently,
>> frequent start on inclines, and holding the car on an incline by slipping
>> the clutch instead of using the brake.[/color]
>
>
> Hey, Ray, I always downshift. Have been since I bought my first Toyota.
>
> What do you mean by "Downshift Frequently"?
> I have 259,000 on the ORIGINAL clutch on my Corolla, and the Corolla
> before that went 235,000 on the original clutch![/color]

When I had Corolla manuals, I also downshifted fairly often instead of
braking, & would often hold the car on a hill by slipping
the clutch. Never had the cars beyond 6 years or the high mileage you've
had, but never had any clutch probs, either.

Cathy

[color=blue]
>
>[/color]

Sounds like you've worn the clutch out.





<socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1162486007.797238.119610@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a five
> speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have to
> push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that all
> my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches. What
> is that, the transmission or the clutch?
>[/color]

<socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1162486007.797238.119610@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>> >I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a five
>> > speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have to
>> > push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that all
>> > my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches. What
>> > is that, the transmission or the clutch?
>> >[/color]
>>
>> When you say that the gears "do not shift good" do you mean that it is
>> difficult to put the gearshift lever into position or do you hear a
>> grinding
>> noise when shifting?
>>
>> check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder next to the brake
>> master
>> cylinder in the engine compartment.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>
>
> No, the gears shift into position well, its just that the gears do not
> catch upon shifting. When it finally gets into gear, the engine revs,
> but the car does not speed up.
>[/color]

DEFINITELY a worn clutch.

"Hachiroku" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
news:pan.2006.11.02.21.15.07.220712@AE86.gts...[color=blue]
> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:15:35 -0600, Ray O wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> Ray O wrote:
>>>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:1162486007.797238.119610@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>>> >I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a five
>>>> > speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have
>>>> > to
>>>> > push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that
>>>> > all
>>>> > my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches. What
>>>> > is that, the transmission or the clutch?
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>> When you say that the gears "do not shift good" do you mean that it is
>>>> difficult to put the gearshift lever into position or do you hear a
>>>> grinding
>>>> noise when shifting?
>>>>
>>>> check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder next to the brake
>>>> master
>>>> cylinder in the engine compartment.
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> Ray O
>>>> (correct punctuation to reply)
>>>
>>>
>>> No, the gears shift into position well, its just that the gears do not
>>> catch upon shifting. When it finally gets into gear, the engine revs,
>>> but the car does not speed up.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> That sounds like a worn clutch or worn pressure plate.
>>
>> Factors that cause rapid clutch wear are drivers who are relatively new
>> to
>> driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, excessive slipping of the
>> clutch, drive frequently in stop-and-go traffic, downshift frequently,
>> frequent start on inclines, and holding the car on an incline by slipping
>> the clutch instead of using the brake.[/color]
>
>
> Hey, Ray, I always downshift. Have been since I bought my first Toyota.
>
> What do you mean by "Downshift Frequently"?
> I have 259,000 on the ORIGINAL clutch on my Corolla, and the Corolla
> before that went 235,000 on the original clutch!
>[/color]

Well, you can slow down the car by downshifting or you can slow down by
applying the brakes. If you downshift at higher RPM, then you are wearing
the clutch more than if engine and transmission speed are matched. Of
course, on long downhills, downshifting is preferable to letting the brakes
fade. Personally, I'd rather do a brake job than a clutch job. ;-)
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Cathy F." <clfr@adelphiadot.net> wrote in message
news:GfmdnWHZWPkTK9fYnZ2dnUVZ_oidnZ2d@giganews.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Hachiroku" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
> news:pan.2006.11.02.21.15.07.220712@AE86.gts...[color=green]
>> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:15:35 -0600, Ray O wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>>>>
>>>> Ray O wrote:
>>> That sounds like a worn clutch or worn pressure plate.
>>>
>>> Factors that cause rapid clutch wear are drivers who are relatively new
>>> to
>>> driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, excessive slipping of the
>>> clutch, drive frequently in stop-and-go traffic, downshift frequently,
>>> frequent start on inclines, and holding the car on an incline by
>>> slipping
>>> the clutch instead of using the brake.[/color]
>>
>>
>> Hey, Ray, I always downshift. Have been since I bought my first Toyota.
>>
>> What do you mean by "Downshift Frequently"?
>> I have 259,000 on the ORIGINAL clutch on my Corolla, and the Corolla
>> before that went 235,000 on the original clutch![/color]
>
> When I had Corolla manuals, I also downshifted fairly often instead of
> braking, & would often hold the car on a hill by slipping
> the clutch. Never had the cars beyond 6 years or the high mileage you've
> had, but never had any clutch probs, either.
>
> Cathy
>[/color]

Brakes are much cheaper to service than replacing the clutch. Downshifting
instead of braking and holding the car on a hill by slipping the clutch are
the worst things you can do for clutch life. You sold your clutch problems
to someone else.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:5-WdnVTZWeakKtfYnZ2dnUVZ_rednZ2d@ez2.net...[color=blue]
>
> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>>
>> Ray O wrote:[color=darkred]
>>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1162486007.797238.119610@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>> >I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a five
>>> > speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have
>>> > to
>>> > push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that all
>>> > my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches. What
>>> > is that, the transmission or the clutch?
>>> >
>>>
>>> When you say that the gears "do not shift good" do you mean that it is
>>> difficult to put the gearshift lever into position or do you hear a
>>> grinding
>>> noise when shifting?
>>>
>>> check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder next to the brake
>>> master
>>> cylinder in the engine compartment.
>>> --
>>>
>>> Ray O
>>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>>
>>
>> No, the gears shift into position well, its just that the gears do not
>> catch upon shifting. When it finally gets into gear, the engine revs,
>> but the car does not speed up.
>>[/color]
>
> DEFINITELY a worn clutch.
>[/color]
Or a bad pressure plate, which in terms of repair cost, is about the same.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Cathy F." <clfr@adelphiadot.net> wrote in message
news:VsudnZbkZqOKJdfYnZ2dnUVZ_qKdnZ2d@giganews.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:stednaCsNdEzKtfYnZ2dnUVZ_rqdnZ2d@ez2.net...[color=green]
>>
>> "Cathy F." <clfr@adelphiadot.net> wrote in message
>> news:GfmdnWHZWPkTK9fYnZ2dnUVZ_oidnZ2d@giganews.com...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Hachiroku" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
>>> news:pan.2006.11.02.21.15.07.220712@AE86.gts...
>>>> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:15:35 -0600, Ray O wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Ray O wrote:
>>>>> That sounds like a worn clutch or worn pressure plate.
>>>>>
>>>>> Factors that cause rapid clutch wear are drivers who are relatively
>>>>> new to
>>>>> driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, excessive slipping of
>>>>> the
>>>>> clutch, drive frequently in stop-and-go traffic, downshift frequently,
>>>>> frequent start on inclines, and holding the car on an incline by
>>>>> slipping
>>>>> the clutch instead of using the brake.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hey, Ray, I always downshift. Have been since I bought my first Toyota.
>>>>
>>>> What do you mean by "Downshift Frequently"?
>>>> I have 259,000 on the ORIGINAL clutch on my Corolla, and the Corolla
>>>> before that went 235,000 on the original clutch!
>>>
>>> When I had Corolla manuals, I also downshifted fairly often instead of
>>> braking, & would often hold the car on a hill by slipping
>>> the clutch. Never had the cars beyond 6 years or the high mileage
>>> you've had, but never had any clutch probs, either.
>>>[/color]
>>
>>
>> That's because you sold the clutch problems to the next buyer.[/color]
>
> Only if they kept it basically forever, is my guess.
>
> Cathy
>[/color]

Hachi's experience is a bit of an anomoly. Most people get about 100k ~ 150k
miles from a clutch. I can get over 200k, and I'm certain there are others
on this board that also get high miles from a clutch, but I think this board
attracts regular participants that drive better than the general population.
Most folks would need a clutch at intervals that match yours, you just get
rid of the car before you realize the clutch needs to be replaced. (No
dissing intended.)

And, as a point of order, I do not attribute downshifting with short clutch
life. If one is inclined to goos the gas pedal a bit and raise the RPMs so
the engine and transmission (in the new gear) are going at about the same
speed, the wear on the clutch is not a factor. Using the clutch as a
hill-holder is definitely a bad practice in terms clutch life.

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:48374$454ac33c$47c2b532$32482@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:5-WdnVTZWeakKtfYnZ2dnUVZ_rednZ2d@ez2.net...[color=green]
>>
>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> Ray O wrote:
>>>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:1162486007.797238.119610@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>>> >I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a five
>>>> > speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have
>>>> > to
>>>> > push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that
>>>> > all
>>>> > my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches. What
>>>> > is that, the transmission or the clutch?
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>> When you say that the gears "do not shift good" do you mean that it is
>>>> difficult to put the gearshift lever into position or do you hear a
>>>> grinding
>>>> noise when shifting?
>>>>
>>>> check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder next to the brake
>>>> master
>>>> cylinder in the engine compartment.
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> Ray O
>>>> (correct punctuation to reply)
>>>
>>>
>>> No, the gears shift into position well, its just that the gears do not
>>> catch upon shifting. When it finally gets into gear, the engine revs,
>>> but the car does not speed up.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> DEFINITELY a worn clutch.
>>[/color]
> Or a bad pressure plate, which in terms of repair cost, is about the same.[/color]

Yes, and it's the same work to get far enough to know one or the other, AND
most of us would replace both at the same time.

And, if one has to ask, they probably do not know the clutch from the
pressure plate, and the distinction is more confusing than simply lumping
all of the parts into "clutch."

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message news:a6171$454ac33b$47c2b532$32482@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Cathy F." <clfr@adelphiadot.net> wrote in message news:GfmdnWHZWPkTK9fYnZ2dnUVZ_oidnZ2d@giganews.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Hachiroku" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message news:pan.2006.11.02.21.15.07.220712@AE86.gts...[color=darkred]
>>> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:15:35 -0600, Ray O wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>>>>>
>>>>> Ray O wrote:
>>>> That sounds like a worn clutch or worn pressure plate.
>>>>
>>>> Factors that cause rapid clutch wear are drivers who are relatively new to
>>>> driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, excessive slipping of the
>>>> clutch, drive frequently in stop-and-go traffic, downshift frequently,
>>>> frequent start on inclines, and holding the car on an incline by slipping
>>>> the clutch instead of using the brake.
>>>
>>>
>>> Hey, Ray, I always downshift. Have been since I bought my first Toyota.
>>>
>>> What do you mean by "Downshift Frequently"?
>>> I have 259,000 on the ORIGINAL clutch on my Corolla, and the Corolla
>>> before that went 235,000 on the original clutch![/color]
>>
>> When I had Corolla manuals, I also downshifted fairly often instead of braking, & would often hold the car on a hill by slipping
>> the clutch. Never had the cars beyond 6 years or the high mileage you've had, but never had any clutch probs, either.
>>
>> Cathy
>>[/color]
>
> Brakes are much cheaper to service than replacing the clutch. Downshifting instead of braking and holding the car on a hill by
> slipping the clutch are the worst things you can do for clutch life. You sold your clutch problems to someone else.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

If your good at shifting then there is no wear changing gears. Heck I'd bet my paycheck
that I could jump into any typical car and not even use the clutch when shifting gears
smooth enough no one would notice.

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:HuadnVn9I6VQWNfYnZ2dnUVZ_qSdnZ2d@ez2.net...[color=blue]
>
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:48374$454ac33c$47c2b532$32482@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:5-WdnVTZWeakKtfYnZ2dnUVZ_rednZ2d@ez2.net...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1162501585.779336.109680@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>>>>
>>>> Ray O wrote:
>>>>> <socorro_9@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:1162486007.797238.119610@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>>>> >I have a 1998 Corolla CE with approx. 139,000 miles on it. Its a
>>>>> >five
>>>>> > speed and I noticed lately that the gears do not shift good. I have
>>>>> > to
>>>>> > push hard on the gas in order for it to go. In fact, I think that
>>>>> > all
>>>>> > my gears are like that...a long passing gear before it catches.
>>>>> > What
>>>>> > is that, the transmission or the clutch?
>>>>> >
>>>>>
>>>>> When you say that the gears "do not shift good" do you mean that it is
>>>>> difficult to put the gearshift lever into position or do you hear a
>>>>> grinding
>>>>> noise when shifting?
>>>>>
>>>>> check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder next to the brake
>>>>> master
>>>>> cylinder in the engine compartment.
>>>>> --
>>>>>
>>>>> Ray O
>>>>> (correct punctuation to reply)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> No, the gears shift into position well, its just that the gears do not
>>>> catch upon shifting. When it finally gets into gear, the engine revs,
>>>> but the car does not speed up.
>>>>
>>>
>>> DEFINITELY a worn clutch.
>>>[/color]
>> Or a bad pressure plate, which in terms of repair cost, is about the
>> same.[/color]
>
> Yes, and it's the same work to get far enough to know one or the other,
> AND most of us would replace both at the same time.[/color]

As well as throwout and pilot bearings. It's false economy to "go inside" a
clutch and NOT replace any parts which typically wear out, regardless of
their condition, particularly with a front wheel drive car.
--
Mike Harris
Austin TX