08 GSR
SYMPTOMS:
-1st gear sluggish and high RPMs (6k only going 10-15mph and sounds like I'm at 9k).
--Second feels better half way through but still a noticeable difference in pull as in 0 pull. Don't notice anything in 3rd and up.
-My exhaust is louder than usual and my car vibrates more than usual in lower gears. I've checked my clutch and its working like a boss and I can't find anything wrong with my exhaust.

Over all just seems like my engine is always being overworked.

Also: The Mitsubishi dealership changed out my drive pulley due to a recall. Would that have caused any issues? Any suggestions would be great!! Thx

 

Your clutch is shot.

 

Sounds like clutch is out to me.

 

I was playing around with the clutch by starting in 4th with the hand break up and it stalls every time. Isn't that a sure sign of the clutch working?

 

I've never heard of that being a way to test the clutch. I usually tell a clutch is going out by feel.

After searching I think this is what you were trying to test?

Another way to establish if your clutch needs repair is to test it in a parking lot. With it stopped but running, put the car in 2nd or 3rd gear and let out the clutch. If it does not stall, but the RPMs go up and the vehicle does not move, the clutch is bad and needs to be replaced.

http://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-a-Sl...ch-in-Your-Car

 

This paragraph from the Wikihow link:

"Another way to establish if your clutch needs repair is to test it in a parking lot. With it stopped but running, put the car in 2nd or 3rd gear and let out the clutch. If it does not stall, but the RPMs go up and the vehicle does not move, the clutch is bad and needs to be replaced."

Is some great information.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I tested the clutch in a parking lot and this is what happened.

1. For the first test I kept the parking break disengaged. Put it in 3rd and slowly let off the clutch. The car started to move. Once my foot was completely off the clutch the car was moving.

2. With the parking break up the car stalled in every gear once the clutch was fully out.
-- 90% off the clutch in 2nd the rpms go from 300 to 1k followed by a noise and then the car shakes a bit right before stalling.

Does that rule out the clutch?
Could it be the timing chain?

Thanks again for the input.

 

Man if you haven't changed your timing chain on an 08 with decent miles, I'd do that ASAP. They didn't fix that before 2011 is my understanding. (Timing chain would stretch prior to 2011) I'd change that and see where you sit, and inspect the pulleys they replaced to ensure that was solid.

 

Thanks, that's was I thought it might be. Glad to hear that it's more than likely my timing chain rather than my clutch. I just ordered a timing chain off a guy from the evox site. Looks like it's going to be a busy weekend for me.


I'll follow up post install and try to make a 'How to' for anybody else with timing chain issues.

 

I thought the timeing chain would throw a code though? Yea i also doubt its your clutch usually if just slam it through the gears a few times it would start to slip if it was bad not to mention the test you just did. Also you can test the clutch in a little less harsh of a manor by just getting on the gas in 5th gear from like 50 or 60 mph it would usually slip at that point since there would be a lot of torque put on it.

 

Yeah it might throw a code if it gets bad enough, I wouldn't wait for an error on a timing chain though...

 

A few weeks ago I had to reflash my ECU do to my Cobb AP bricking it. I'm thinking that might have tricked the timing chain tension sensor in thinking that the chain is good.

--side note: Out of desperation I changed my spark plugs. Looks like the guy who owned the Evo before me only put two NKG plugs in with two generic brand plugs. Not sure what that could have done. After a test run it seems to be running better; still not normal :/.

Thx thanks and more thanks......

 

EWWW 2 different plugs.. man what a cheap sob the previous owner was.

 

Now the question really is why did he change only two? Were they damaged did a piece of it break off and fall into the cylinder... who knows.. Good luck hope you get it figured out!