I just picked up a 1998 accord 4 door with 4cyl and 5 speed manual. 173K miles, its actually in great shape and mostly runs fine.

The transmission seems fine, but the clutch is a bit of a problem. It engages right off the floor, but it doesn't slip, its just that the engagement point is wrong.

The seller thought perhaps it needed a new clutch, but as it wasn't slipping that didn't make sense to me. I know its a hydraulic clutch, so thought perhaps one of the experts here could offer advice.

Thanks.

(there are a couple issues with the car, but I'll ask them as I have time and money to fix them)

 

I agree - when a clutch wears out, it engages real high then starts slipping.

Engaging right down at the floor might be air in the hydraulic lines. Check for leaking clutch fluid at the slave cylinder. To check at the clutch master it sometimes leaks through the firewall & soaks into the spongy stuff under the carpeting.

First try bleeding the clutch. Let us know if that works because then there's a couple other things to try.

 

That seems like a logical step.

--Tom

 

Just an update; I bought some Honda DOT 3, and the clutch reservoir was very low, so I brought it up to full. After a few minutes of driving, the clutch to me felt better and the engagement point moved up about 1.5".

Its too cold to bleed the clutch right now, but I verified there is no leaks at the master cylinder, which could mean the slave is leaking. But certainly it can move down on the "to-do" list. I'll bleed it in the spring.