[200q] bad vibes clutch continued..

["Osman Parvez" <oparvez1@nycap.rr.com>]

I just took another test-drive on my 200q to run some errands. On this drive
I noticed several additional symptoms that are consistent with Orin's
diagnosis of a clutch throw-out bearing or sleeve. Although I'm very
confident that this is the cause of the vibration, and know that the
solution is a full clutch job, I think I should note the symptoms for
general info purposes.
Please continue to e-mail me with BTDT's and costs from such. I'll be
calling around on Monday afternoon to get quotes locally.


Symptoms:
1. Vibration felt during application of clutch with engine running.
2. Normal operation with engine off.
3. Vibration is intermittent
4. Vibration increases with road speed.
5. At Idle, stationary,  a soft "whriillling" noise is emitted (park next to
a wall or other car with windows down to hear). When clutch pedal is
depressed, the noise becomes louder. The louder noise sounds like someone is
shaking a jar of pocket change. Vibration coincides with "pocket change
shaking".
6. Clutch engagement is sloppy, resulting in a jerky start from standstill.


Diagnosis:
Worn Clutch Throw-out Bearing or Sleeve.


Prognosis:
R+R Clutch Assembly, replace rear main seal at same time.


?: Can I continue to run on a bad throw-out bearing? What peripheral damage
can result? Will the clutch suddenly die?

Okay..so I think this is a faq-able note for someone's site. I'll try to
post a follow-up in a few days. Thanks to Bob M. and Orin for responding so
quickly.

-Osman Parvez
89 200q 175K
Albany, NY.