Subaru Not Pulling In High Gear

[chrissa1]

My Y Reg Subaru Impreza 2.0 Estate with 68,000 miles on the clock has suddenly started to struggle in a high gear.
It is fine when going up through the gears but seems to have lost acceleration in 4th and 5th.
When I got home just now there was quite a bit of heat coming from the front and, a metallic type smell. Are my brakes binding or is it the clutch?
Thanks.

[TWR]

try it up a steep hill, if the engine starts to increase in rev & you don't seem to be speeding up, Clutch. Have a look if you have fluid in the Reservoir.

[chrissa1]

Thanks TWR. I'll do that.

[chrissa1]

I can't find the clutch fluid reservoir. My manual just shows a diagram of the Turbo engine. Found the brake fluid reservoir but not the clutch fluid. Any ideas?

[tonyav]

chrissa, first find out if it is a cable operated or if it's an hydraulically operated clutch.

[chrissa1]

And then what, Tonyav??

[tonyav]

Well if it's a cable operated clutch and it turns out that the clutch is slipping then it may just need the cable to be adjusted.

[chrissa1]

Ah. I see. I have to do a round trip of 80 miles tomorrow. Do you think it will be ok?

[tonyav]

Dunno chrissa, I'd need to know exactly what the cause of this problem is first.

[chrissa1]

Fair enough, T. I think I'll borrow my son's car, just to be on the safe side. Will get it checked on Thursday. Thanks.

[tonyav]

I think that would be the best thing to do chrissa, wait until you have had it checked out.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

I think most imprezas have a cable clutch and if its been working fine up till now and its started slipping no amount of adjustment will rectify the matter.It will need changing soon..before you wreck the flywheel.

[chrissa1]

Crickey !!!!!!! That sounds expensive. :((

[BRIGHT SPARK]

I hope its not the clutch chrissa but get it checked out as soon as pos.

[barney4444]

Try putting the handbrake on fully then with car ticking over put it in gear and let clutch pedal up slowly, if car stalls then clutch not slipping but if clutch pedal fully up and still ticking over the clutch has had it..

[chrissa1]

Thanks Barney.