Just wrote a lengthy explanation of the issue, only to be logged out after trying to post it. Here I go again:

Driving on the highway at 5AM, take an exit, and begin slowing down as I approach the merging point. Driving roughly 2-6mph, approaching a standstill, I ease in to first gear like I normally do, as a car driving by on the main road and I anticipate a stop or near stop. Like a ******* idiot (somewhat new to manual, but mostly numbed by highway driving late at night), as I ease into first, I completely forgot to push in the clutch. Relatively mild crunching noise, obviously does not sound good at all.


The car drives fine for the most part, however I have only driven it twice to avoid making any potential problems worse. The issues since my stupidty:

1. The FD's RPMs drop by a good amount more when releasing the clutch, specifcally in first gear. I do not notice this specific problem in other gears, and add more gas to counteract the RPM drop in first gear. What worries me with this, is that in stop and go traffic, after moving a bit, and pushing the clutch in as I break back to a standstill, the engine idle drops dips down to 250RPM instead of the usual 750RPM. At 250RPM, the engine is relatively rough, close to dying, but manages to hold. The loss of traction would make me think this could be clutch related, but since it only occurs in first gear, it would not seem to be clutch related. Any idea what could cause something like this?

2. There is chattering, mostly in first gear, and a little in 2nd gear, mostly in the lower speeds that require more transmission labor. It sounds sort of like a loose, vibrating metal plate, or something along those lines. Alternatively described, it makes a very...literally "cheap" rattling sort of noise you'd expect from a Honda Civic. Is it possible that the impact from my error knocked some bolt loose somewhere along the transmission or powertrain, or would this likely be something of a more serious nature?

3. More seldom, I get a mild single clank. Sounds like something may be loose?
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Any feedback would be appreciated. I plan to take it to an experienced shop to get inspected ASAP, as well as take care of basic maintainance. I would really like to know what is wrong with my little girl (ahem...woman (I'm not a pedophile, honestly...I swear!))

Thanks all,
AshamedRX7Driver

 

I am not sure to be happy or not, but this issue may not be related to the transmission. From my observations, those two days I did drive the car after my error, also coincidentally happened to be really hot days (purchased the car in winter, so I was not able to dirve it under these circumstances prior), and the problem was very noticeable. However, last night, I took the car on a 20 minute drive, a cold and rainy day. I did not experience any traction loss in the clutch, or the 250RPM idle. Aside from issue #2, and possibly #3, the car was driving perfectly fine.

After 2 hours, I drove the car back home. I am guessing the engine retained some of its heat, and it wasn't until I was just 2 blocks away from home, that this issue popped up again. It seems to be occuring after the engine has fully warmed up, or possibly the clutch? Any ideas what I might be looking at, what could cause something like this?

Thanks

 

No ideas?

Is the 250rpm problem when engine is warm due to something like a vaccume leak, or malfuntioning sensor? Could it still be something related to the transmission?

Thanks

 

Odds are you did no damage at all and these issues are unrelated, unless you were really jamming it into gear that is. I don't know anything about FD's in particular or I'd say more to your questions.

 

you didn't break anything. i did the same thing when i took my fd out for the first time sunday. pulling into my driveway i forgot it was a manual for a second and went to jam in gear just like you did. you will be ok.

 

I'm not so sure, I jammed my 7 into gear in the winter and it was driving really stiff and the next day the clutch was slipping like crazy. If these symptoms continue, I would get it checked out. There's a good chance you misaligned something or maybe even ripped all the teeth off of the clutch plate like I did.

 

You should try Dentsport Garage in Norwood or Synaptic 3 in NH, they might be able to help

 

i dunno if you ever resolved this but if you have a garage and some jackstands i would suggest you drop the transmission and inspect the clutch and the throwout bearing , also check the slave cylinder

 

what part of mass do you live in? i can take a look at the car ive got lost of parts im sure i can probly get it going

 

Remove the fill plug from the transmission, then drain the gear oil from the trans. Remove the rectangular lower cover from the main transmission case. Look for pieces of metal. Look closely at 1st gear, it's the one toward the rear and compare it to the other gears. With the trans in neutral, rotate the gears to see all gear teeth.

If there is serious permanent damage you'll see something.

There are some "normal" pictures in my transmission rebuild write-up at davidgeesaman.com

 

i should do that to the turbo II tranny i bought i havent used it but before i swap it in

 

Thanks guys, for the information and help. Unlucky as I am, I have developed a coolant leak and will need to get the car towed to my mechanic.

Sorry for the late reply, my dad is really sick and things just keep piling on. Thanks again, I will forward the suggestions to my mechanic, hopefully I can get it back on the road soon.