Miata Mailing List: May 1996, Message #15
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   From: scannon@earthnet.net (Skip Cannon)
Subject: Re: Clutch Question
   Date: Wed, 1 May 1996 16:04:04 -0400

>At 11:01 PM 4/29/96 -0400, you wrote:
>>Hello all.
>>
>>I have a 91 BRG  with about 55k miles.
>>When I start out in first gear the car kind of shudders. It almost feels like
>>
>>the clutch is slipping and grabbing. It is not just me it is the same when
>>others drive it. I also noticed the clutch pedal seems to engage higher up
>>than in my 90 red .  I have checked to see if the clutch would slip in higher
>>
>>gears, but it doesn't seem to. I also notice it gets worse after driving for
>>awhile.
>>
>>Does any one have any ideas or suggestions?
>>Do I need a new clutch or what?
>>
>>Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>>Thanks
>>Ted --Tedsmiata
>>91 BRG
>
>
>
>Mine too. I have never solved the puzzle. It can come and go in two clutch
>releases or stay all day and be gone the next. Stay gone for a month and
>return for a week only to go away again. My biggest suspicion is that it is
>fuel related. I would sure like to get to the answer on this one. My Service
>Manager has seen it and feels it is not the clutch due to it's
>inconsistancy. Oil from the leaking valve cover gasket is another
>possibility I suppose but we are talking a very small leak at the rear of
>the engine with nothing showing up on the driveway.
>
>             Regards
>
>                  Arch

Check the crank angle sensor for oil leaks on the back of the cylinder
head.  I've had two of these leak oil on my Miatas.  There could be oil
getting to the clutch from this source.

My 92 has a similar clutch chattering problem, usually when it has been
driven in traffic for awhile on a warm day.  I just replaced the o-ring
seal a week or two ago, and I haven't noticed the clutch chatter since, but
I haven't driven it very much since then either.  I'm curious to see if
this fixes the problem.

Skip Cannon