Life of original clutch?

[Tim]

How many miles have you guys gotten out of the original clutch on your cars? Mine's pushing 180K and it's still going strong, even though it has taken a major pounding (5 people taught to drive a stick on it, made it smell once or twice when starting out in the wrong gear) and has never been worked on or even had the pedal adjusted. Doesn't slip at all.

Is this a fluke or are these just really tough clutches?

[nonamekid]

My Dad's festiva is at 180K with the original clutch. He also taught five people how to drive a stick in his car. His clutch, though is finally starting to wear out. He has owned the car since brand new so we know it is the original clutch.

[Gro Harlem]

Bought my 93' GL with 221k miles on it. It had the original clutch in it, and it didn't slip AT ALL. I firmly believe I could've driven another 100+k on that clutch with no problems.

When I did the engine swap I inspected the clutch disc and it looked fine...no glazing or abnormal wear...had lots of life left.

Stock clutches are made by daikin. Here they are known as exedy. excellent friggin clutches.

My stock 1.8 DOHC protege one lasted 170k miles before it had to be replaced, not bad for a 114 torque/125hp engine.

[smurfmobile]

336K and all is good...I introduced 8lbs O' boost and it slips like a MF.

[5.0zone]

Mine still worked/looked good when I replaced the engine at 265k miles, but I replaced it anyway.
And it all depends on how you drive.

[skeeters_keeper]

mine still looked OK @ 140k when i pulled my engine (2 days ago lol), but it was getting close to the rivets on one side. i put a new one in, and i'll save the old one as a spare because i'm sure it would last a while longer. the guy who owned the car before me beat the living tar out of it, plus quite a few people (including me) have learned to drive in it.

[gdawgs]

My first one had 180,000 miles on it when I changed it out, but it had lots of life left on it. I'm sure it could have easily made it to 250k or more. Like someone else mentioned, it's all in how you drive. I heard a story of a lady who burned out 3 clutches in less than 50,000 miles, then complained to the garage that these were crappy cars. No, you don't know how to use a clutch.

[deathegg]

The DeathEgg just turned 191k,, still going strong!
However, after going up a decent incline, I can smell a burning smell, which I think is the clutch. Still gets good mpg, etc, but the acceleration isn't what it once was.
Driving across country in 2 months, and would like to know if it's ok.
Is there any test you can do? I once heard about a test whereby you put your car against a solid, unmoving object (brick wall, mother-in-law, etc), put it in 2nd, and tried to engage the clutch. If it stalled, then the clutch was OK.

[floydiancomplex]

I bought my first at 119,000 with a blown clutch (paid $400) replaced with autozone part which lasted about a year with lots of
6000 rpm shifts.

According to the haynes manual to check for proper engagement you put the car in 5th while sitting still then let out the clutch.
If it dies your clutch is still grabbing, but this test has nothing to do with how well it grabs just that it is.

[josephfpu]

my clutch looked good at 235,000 miles.

I replaced it when I replaced the engine. but the clutch still looked ok!

hey tim, long time no posts for me

my festy "dirty bird" has been running strong!

I am doing a water pump right replacement in the garage right now (at midnight). one of the gaskets started leaking. that was my fault though. I did a dirty job on them when I replaced the engine.

-joe