Clutch dying?

[axgutt]

So they just raised the speed limit on some of the sections of interstate that I drive (from 65 - 70). I have a 95 Legacy L wagon, 2.2, 5 speed manual, with 341,000. I used to just set the cruise control at 65, and everything was great. In the past when I would drive faster I would burn more oil (or force it out somewhere - who knows where it goes). Anyway, after a couple of weeks of driving faster, it seems to be getting harder to shift - i.e. pushing the stick into the different gears takes some effort now. I may also be getting a little more vibration/chatter when taking off. I was reading something about clutches and it said that when oil leaks from the rear main seal it can get into the clutch and cause problems. Is it possible that driving faster could be doing this, and if so, is there any chance it may rectify itself by driving slower?

 

I purchased the car with 174,000 and had the clutch replaced at 286,000 (112,000 miles), so I'm usually a pretty smooth driver. Interstate miles obviously help. I did have the rear main seal replaced when the clutch was done.

[Fairtax4me]

Yeah I'd still like to kill the brainiac who came up with the idea to raise the speed limits so the state could spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on updating speed limit signs during a recession.

But I digress...

 

Oil on the clutch sounds possible. But there would be lots of evidence of a leak if it were coming from the rear main. You would smell it bad because it would drip directly on the Y pipe under the engine.

 

When was the last time the gear oil in the transmission was changed?

[nipper]

Change the PCV valve as it will take stress of the seals.

 

Check all fluid levels.

 

What kind of clutch was put in.

[axgutt]

I'm not sure what kind of clutch was put in. At that point I had so many miles on it that if I had been given a choice, I probably would have taken the cheaper one. I couldn't find my receipt, but Quicken says the total bill was about $750. I haven't changed the tranny fluid since. I skipped it at 300k since it had only been 14k. So, the fluid has 55k.

 

Checked the fluid level last night and it's right in the middle. Looked clear.

 

@Fairtax - I hear you. I commute from Staunton to C'ville. I think the speed limit changes 3 times along the way.

[Fairtax4me]

Ah, you get the mountain drive. Hope you made it in one piece today. "Fog on mountain" is an understatement up there.

I tend to change trans fluid around 30k.

Was the trans fluid changed during the clutch job? Check the level in the trans. Might be worth it to just change it and see how it does.