Hey guys,
I have a 2008 TL Type-S with a six speed manual transmission, I have a few after-market mods done to the car. I have an Injen Cold Air Intake and I removed the mid muffler and resonator and replaced them with straight piping. I recently began to notice the clutch is slipping, its harder to get the car into gear and the clutch. The Car only as 13,000 miles on it and I don't beat on the clutch (ex. double clutch, drop it). I do have fun with the car maybe every now and then by pushing it but I don't ever beat on the clutch because it is a very expensive part. Has anyone else had this problem? Could my clutch be faulty, 13,000 miles seems like awfully low mileage for the clutch to fail. I have had the car brought in for service to replace the syncros in 3rd gear but that is about it. I change the oil regularly as well as the tires to ensure it is in top shape. Someone please help me! Any suggestions or Ideas relating to this problem would be greatly appreciated. Do you think Acura will cover this when the clutch eventually fails?

 

I would take the car in to have it checked right away. The clutch should last alot longer, unless you are doing something very wrong. There should be a dampening valve that keeps the clutch from slamming together, so when shifting hard and dumping the clutch it will slip instead of churping the tires and putting all that stress on the transmission. So if that is the slipping you are taking about it is normal. I doubt Acura will pay for much unless you take it in right away.

 

Sounds like the damping component (valve?) in your hydraulic system is failing. If the clutch is actually slipping, you would most definitely know it. And yes, 13,000 miles is incredibly low mileage for a clutch to begin to fail.. unless you are not operating it correctly, abusing it (racing, towing, etc.), or live in a city like San Francisco. You should expect at least 200,000 miles more out of it. So definitely get that checked out.

 

Any idea how much something like that would cost to repair?

 

the clutch is self adjusting and should never feel hard to engage in the TL unless you have NO clutch.

 

How much does a dampening valve cost to replace?

 

its $2500 for a complete clutch job
There have been some go out by 15-20k if owned by an enthusiastic younger driver~
Others may get 60 or more
All depends on how you drive for clutch disc life

The TL has a system that makes it feel perfect till the day it quits shifting
If its strange and already been in for 3rd gear- you need to go back in and take the head tech for a test ride- make an appt

 

"Others may get 60 or more"?

Assuming that: 1) the clutch components were properly installed and, 2) there was nothing strange or extraordinary about the driving environment (racing, towing, profusion of hills and, 3) the operator knew how to properly operate a manual transmission, then the user should expect 3 to 4 times or more life out of a clutch assembly than 60,000 miles. That's very little mileage from a clutch assembly.

The ones who have seen their clutches go out with 15-20K miles have had serious problems with their control systems (for the most part). You would really have to try hard to ruin a clutch in 60,000 miles.

 

Let me give an example of what I am talking about. Early this afternoon, I went out to mail some bills and decided to take a 10 mile ride as well. While out, I hit a nice stretch of two-lane road not far from where I live and turned around to have a little fun on it. While turning around, I turned off my VSA (I was in my '04 manual). I turned out onto this piece of road and once straightened out with the clutch fully engaged and the engine turning around 2000 RPM, I nailed it. Immediately the tires broke traction and the engine spun up to 6000 RPM. I feathered the throttle a little but there was not way to stop the tires from spinning at or close to WOT. So I shifted to 2nd and not a hard or speed shift. Once in gear, I nailed it again and right away the tires started spinning again and continued like that for perhaps three car lengths until I let up. The clutch never once exhibited slip, shutter, or delayed engagement. It was tight (of course) and sure as it should be after only 64,600 miles.

 

Like I said- there is a device in the clutch that makes it feel perfect right up until it quits working- let us know what mileage that is

I picked 60 as an example- if you commute and leave foot on clutch when stopped- or do that at lights- use the clutch to needlessly downshift etc...

Go ask the dealer what miles they are seeing non warranty wearouts at!

Based on the op statement of what mods are done, I find it hard to believe this car is babied,, by dealer standards~

 

Dump that poor excuse for a clutch and go aftermarket. I detest these clutches so much I bought an AUTO!

 

Never disputed your assessments. I simply said that 60K miles out of a clutch (excepting the conditions I stated) is very little life from the unit. As for what dealers, or shops, are seeing in terms of mileage for clutch replacements, we can only assume that those individuals do not know how to properly operate a manual transmission.. given the afore mentioned exceptions.

There is nothing magical or special about a clutch assembly which makes one wonder why a manufacturer would want to make them more complex than they need to be. They've been around for perhaps close to 100 years now and we know what works and what doesn't work. It's not unusual to get well over 200,000 miles out of a clutch and even 3-400,000 miles is reachable. I know of a man who, when last he reported, had 315,000 miles on his original clutch in his early 90's Integra. And it was still going strong, so 400,000 miles was well within his sights. He uses the same techniques as do I so I know his clutch has had a healthy life.

 

Well I too have the same problem as yourself, sometimes i can shift quickly and i can fry tires in 2nd, but sometimes it just starts to slip and i have to let go of the gas. This is very odd considering the car has only 19,000Miles. But im the second owner and i dont know who drove it previous, it had a trailor hitch and the tires were almost bald, so someone was probobly beating on it a bit. Even so im dissapointed in the clutches on these cars. I've had 2 previous VW Vr6's one which had almost 130,000 miles on it and i could squak 3rd gear. These clutches are failing way too early regardless of how they are being driven, its just unacceptable