Clutch Question (HELP)

I assume it's a manual transmission.

Sounds like your clutch is slipping. How many miles? When was the last time the clutch release was adjusted?

Try this quick test. Move the car to an open area (in case the parking brake does not hold). Set the parking brake. Hold the clutch in (disengage). Shift into 4th gear. Rev the engine to about 2500-3000k RMP. Drop the clutch (engage). The clutch should be strong enough to stop the engine in 1-2 seconds.

If the engine continues to run, this means the clutch is slipping. Do not allow it to slip for more than a few seconds.

So did you "adjust" the clutch?

If the motor quickly dies with the clutch test, this means that the clutch is basically working. What we don't know is if it holds OK when cold but begins to slip when hot.

90k Miles on an original clutch is a TON of miles (esp for a Mustang). How hard are you on the clutch? Do you ride it or power shift? How you drive can reduce the life of the clutch. Of course with a used car, how the prior owner drove it is an unknown.

Remove the clutch release dust shield. Get a stong light and look for excessive grease and evidence of wear. May help to have a buddy activate the clutch while you are looking.

Bottom line, if you can hear changes in RPM's while driving (and foot is not on the clutch), the clutch is slipping. With the miles on your car, in all likely hood a new clutch is in your future.

Sorry to have to tell you this, but most everybody that has had a clutch go out would say nearly the same thing. Works fine cold. Starts to slip when it gets hot.

The problem is that as it gets hotter, it slips more. The more it slips, the hotter the clutch gets. The cycle continues until it slips so bad as to be undriveable or smoke comes out from under the car.

Note, continued driving with a slippling clutch could damage the flywheel. This makes the repair more $$ as instead of a flywheel re-surface, a replacement is needed.

Good luck.

Does it slip if you drive it like your Grand Mother would?