850 Manual Trans "Shutter"

jdsmith · Post by **jdsmith** » 17 Feb 2011, 06:50

I have a 1997 850 with a 5 speed manual transmission. Recently I noticed that when I take off from a dead stop in first gear, it "shutters" for a few seconds. If I increase the RPMs before engaging the clutch, there is no shutter. The motor mounts are new, the tires are new. Is it my clutch? Can the clutch be adjusted?

Post by **jblackburn** » 17 Feb 2011, 07:32

Start out around 2000 RPM in 2nd gear and floor the gas pedal. Do the RPMs rise a bit without the car accelerating in turn? That would indicate a clutch beginning to fail.

Next test: leave the car in neutral with your door open and release the clutch pedal. Does it begin to make a whirring noise? That one would indicate a throw-out bearing.

Either can cause some shuddering, and the clutch on the 850's are not adjustable like on older cars as it is a hydraulic system.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 17 Feb 2011, 16:38

I am leaning toward a failing clutch on this one. Let us know what the result of the tests are.

Post by **JRL** » 17 Feb 2011, 17:03

Clutch and/or your flywheel
Same labor for both, so you may as well replace everything