Clutch longevity?

[Zanzer]

My Festy just turned over 193k and I've never had a car with this many miles on it except for my F-Superduty rollback that has 400k on the clock. I don't think the Superduty counts though because it has had a crate motor installed at some point before I got it. Anyway, my car is a 5 speed and I was wondering what is the life expectancy for clutches in these cars? When I got the car I changed the timing belt and water pump due to the mileage. All the other stuff I've fixed has consisted of replacing factory parts as well....struts, CV axles, stuff like that. Based on this I'm assuming the clutch is still the factory unit too. I'm a big fan of preventative maintenance and I like to fix stuff before it breaks so I'm wondering if it's time to start thinking about swapping the clutch, pressure plate, and release bearing.

Should I be worried?

[GenevaDirt]

all depends on where the clutch lets out at...does it seem to slip at any time?

[Zanzer]

Doesn't slip a bit, but it let's out at the very top. That's another thing that got me to thinking about it.

[pr0nst4r]

I had a 91 Miata (B-series Mazda engine as well) that had 215k on the original clutch when I sold it and there were others that had double that. (The stock clutches were made by Exedy though, which probably had a great deal to do with it.)

I would go ahead and get everything done now, just so you don't have a headache down the road. Do your water-pump and timing belt too!

[neanderpaul]

I've seen a 360,000 mile and a 400,000 mile clutch in a festiva.

[Zanzer]

Do your water-pump and timing belt too!

I did that a month after I got the car

[pr0nst4r]

Nice, that was totally in your original post.

I'm such a jerk lol

[spiko]

Mine just went out at 190,000. It was already starting to slip and grabbed at the very top. If it's not slipping, I wouldn't worry about it until it starts.

[Zanzer]

Sweet! Sounds like this is something I can bump down the list until it warms up outside :mrgreen:

[neanderpaul]

There is a simple adjustment too.

[Zanzer]

^^It's operating fine. I just wanted to see if I should be worried due to the mileage. Would the adjustment allow it to engage a little closer to the floor?

[neanderpaul]

Yeah, I think so.

[wrongfulleaf]

When I purchased the car the previous owner said that he replace it within the year (it's at 200K right now). But I think that it was a "learner car" so that has alot to do with it. If somebody knows how to drive a stick while they have had it you should be fine. My old ranger (2001) was sold with 200K on it and the clutch was still like new!

[hot4dl8ly]

I had 333K on my OE clutch and it still had some meat on it when I replaced my engine. I replaced it on general principles. I think what burns up clutches is horsepower- something an original Festiva is lacking.

[posford]

I've got over 403,000k on mine and it still engages in the same spot and still has same freeplay as when it was new. Festiva is the PERFECT car !!!