Any ideas? This happens on and off. But sometimes, when I push the clutch in (parked) I can hear grinding or chattering.

What could it be?

 

Any ideas? I've owned 7 manual transmission cars and have never had tranny/clutch problems before, so I don't really know how to diagnose it.

 

Could be throwout bearing. Might as well inspect clutch disk and replace if necessary. If you do end up replacing the disk, replace the throwout and pilot bearings.

 

I was going to say throw out bearing as well. Could also be low hydraulic fluid.

 

Also forgot to mention that sometimes (like, when cold) it's difficult to get into 1st and/or 2nd. One time I couldn't even get it in gear without RPM matching. Kinda scary.

 

Check the whole clutch fluid system, when was the last time it was serviced/overhauled?

 

if you are getting chattering with the clutch pedal depressed, you may have a bad pilot bearing. you may also want to check fluid level and condition. if you are hearing the chattering with the clutch pedal released and the chattering goes away when the pedal is depressed then you have a bad throwout bearing.

 

I don't know. I just picked up the car from Iowa (won it on eBay) and am driving it home to San Diego. I'm currently in Oklahoma City for the night.

It also idles at about 500 or 600rpm. Sometimes when first started it chugs, and idles almost at 0, then dies. Starting it and giving it gas a few times stops this.

I'm also not sure the 5th & 6th port actuators are working. When I rev it to redline I don't really feel any kind of rush at the high RPMs.

 

check to see if you have a cat caught in something. happens more often than you think.

 

replace the pressure plate, clutch disk, pilot bearing and throw out bearing that "chattering" is the throw out bearing. and the hard to get it into gear is the pilot bearing or clutch master/slave cylinder also change the tranny fluid and diff. fluid, as these are possibly the most overlooked fluid's.

:AA:

 

the fuel filter might be clogged thats why it chugs..for the 5th and 6th port's? there not nitrous and your not going to feel them. alway's remember:

"a redline a day, keeps the carbon away."

:AA:

 

You mean there is no difference between them working and not? 33% more air is allowed into the engine when they are activated... Maybe my factory exhaust limits the upper-rpm power.

 

clogged cats can limit upper rpm power. there are a lot of variables to consider. whats the condition of your plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, air filter, throttle body, catylitic converters, coils, internal engine condition? are your 5th and 6th port sleeves carboned up? are the actuators working properly? as i stated in an above post regarding the chattering, if you are getting chattering with the clutch pedal depressed, you may have a bad pilot bearing. you may also want to check fluid level and condition. if you are hearing the chattering with the clutch pedal released and the chattering goes away when the pedal is depressed then you have a bad throwout bearing.