Finallly reached 10k miles a week ago, and around teh same time started to notice that my Evo IX (which is 18months old now) the clutch seems to be sticking slightly.

At low rpm high torque it feels like it's slipping and the revs race (very very subtlety).

I also on occasion get random burning hair smell, again very subtle, but it's there.

Was at the dealer today (all star) getting my oil change, and asked the tech to check the clutch, he agreed that it's on it's way out - "might take 5k miles, might die next week".

3 questions I guess:

A: Clutch going after 10k miles seems insane, I'm aware of the Evo's bad clutch and that cars like this will eat through them fast, but I really do baby the car, never tracked, never raced, never dragged, it's a daily driver. Is this something I should kick up an almighty fuss about? The service manager said he would talk to the factory and see if they would pay labor or something, as he seemed to think it was young.

B: Should I get a new clutch from a dealership? Two thoughts I have:

1. If I get a clutch somewhere else it opens the door to Mitsu, using the clutch as a reason to get out of any other warranty work I might need over the next 3.5years.

2. If they do pay labor, I might be able to spend more on a clutch (I'm assuming 5+ hours, as it seems to be, would give me cash to up the quality of my next clutch.

C: When I get my new clutch, what's the most advised route? From my reading it seems the more heavy weight the clutch the more notchity it will be, are there any good smooth ones that will last a decent amount of time?

If I don't get it done at the dealer, I'll be looking at Ivey, Trix or Dogbox as they are all 'local' in jersey.

Thanks for any points or answers.

Any po

 

did you changes the fluids at all, or try a clutch adjustment? Just a thought, dont know if that will solve anything. My car is almost 2 years old, 24700 miles, over 300 whp and the clutch is still fine...

 

I'd have to say maybe operator error? Not being a dick, but I've seen plenty of Evo's with mileage, and the stock clutch. One evo we have is an IX with 56k on the clock, still stock clutch with great engagement.

 

Yeah, it sounds like you drove your car like I did. My clutch never went out, but I changed it out after getting a shep tranny and t-case just 900 miles ago. I now have 36,000 miles.

 

do not put the stock clutch back in,you will be in the same boat your in now 6 months to a year from now...

 

I wasn't planning on having a stock clutch replacement. Dealer said they didn't do that, but could put an aftermarket one in for $1,600 (said he'd check the price and the model and get back to me.

"Operator error"? Do you mean something I did that made the clutch go, or something I'm doing that makes it seem like it's going.

I'm pretty sure it's not something I've done. Having driven nothing but stick shift cars both in the States and my native England for the last 17years I'm pretty confident that it's not something I did. :-)

"did you changes the fluids at all, or try a clutch adjustment?" Clutch fluids ? I was told by the tech that the actual "clutch" on an Evo couldn't be adjusted. Do you mean adjusting the pedal?

It really only occurs if say you're at slow revs in say 2nd and you accelerate. When the revs get to about 3-4k (the highest torque) there is an ever so slight "softness" like the clutch is slipping very very slightly.

In all honesty if it wasn't for the smell that once or twice accompanied it, I'd have thought I was imagining it.

 

Added fun and games is I'm driving to Boston tomorrow for a conference.

Just my luck to end up stuck on the Mass Pike in the middle of bumble **** nowhere with a busted clutch.

Only thing going for me is (barring stop go traffic) I can do 98% of the journey without touching the clutch.

 

now you have a reason to upgrade your clutch and save some money

 

I got 40K on my 350WHP MR, My guess is the driver.

 

Maybe I ride the clutch too much.

Ho Hum.

 

usually when a clutch starts to slip it will be in the higher gears and not the lower gears.

My clutch went at 13K miles. So 10K isn't really that bad. If the dealer will end up paying for the labor have them do it. If not use a popular evo shop or yourself. Dont take it to any regular shop that your evo will be their first.

How many miles were on your car when you bought it? If the clutch was not broken in properly it will really effect its lifespan. It sucks to think about it, but it might have gotten a little beat up before you even brought it home.

 

I have 57k hard driven miles on my IX and still on the original factory clutch.....with NO signs of going out any time soon.