1997 Griffith 500 slipping clutch

[cjwbrown]

I have a case of a slipping clutch not in the lower gears when under acceleration but in fourth or fifth . if I accelerate too hard the clutch will slip and then eventually grip. It's odd as it doesn't occur in start off or lower gears. My griff only has 47000 km on it . Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem and able to resolve it. This car has the T5 gearbox.

[Plan B]

That would be a normal experience with a worn clutch. In low gears the torque that the clutch is trying to convey is generally less than in higher gears and hence clutch slip is more apparent in higher gears.
Get the car up on a ramp and you can view the clutch through the inspection hole at the bottom of the bell housing. You will then be able to see how much meat is left on the clutch plate.

[Rob_the_Sparky]

Might be worth taking the bung out the bottom of the bell housing and taking a look. My slipping clutch was caused by a leaky back main oil seal in the engine. Bell housing had enough oil in it to make that pretty obvious.

[Plan B]

In case CJW is searching for a large rubber bung on the lower bell housing it might be helpful to him to point out that the majority of these have fallen out leaving the hole exposed. (no double entendre intended 😊)

[Steve_D]

I've even seen the hole with a paint tin lid bonded in.

Steve

[cjwbrown]

Thanks to all for your help I know the inspection hole which has a black silicon rubber cover on it. and will pursue from there. Anything serious I’ll take to the car doctor

[rev-erend]

Worth taking a look.

Slipage could be an oil leak.

[Steve_D]

If it is oil then far more likely to be the gearbox input shaft seal rather than crank. A crank seal will leak across the back of the flywheel so less likely to get on the clutch.

Steve

[Elwood]

I had a random clutch slip , turned out to be the pedal linkage catching and not releasing.