Shuttering in 2nd and 3rd gear downshifts?

**Freshy** · 02-03-2013 08:13 PM

Ok..so ive just picked up an 05 wrx wagon on friday. Been cruising the thing around a bit and noticed that when i downshift to third and second when im at lower rpms theres a quick second of shuttering right before the engine revs up. When i down shift and accelerate( say im coming out of a good curve and i want to punch it on a straight away) i feel nothing. Car had extensive work done to it before i picked it up. New clutch, new pressure plate, turbo, engine work etcetc...about 6000 worth of stuff done by the subaru dealer i picked it up from. Any ideas? My friend was saying its a combo of leftover pressure in the turbo and perhaps some breaking in with the new clutch. Ive been trying to stay under 4000 rpms (however hard that may be) and baby this thing. Everything else has been wonderful. Please help!

Thanks!

**EJ257** · 02-03-2013 09:06 PM

What do you mean when you say "downshift at lower rpms"?

You say "extensive work". Is the car stock?

**Freshy** · 02-03-2013 09:15 PM

It occurs only when im at a lower mph, shifting from fourth to third, and third to second. Perhaps i worded that incorrectly.

The car is stock currently aside from maybe a blow off valve. The previous owner had an oil pump go bad and the engine was basically f'd. He had to get it towed to the dealership.

**Anub1s** · 02-03-2013 09:22 PM

How about when free revving? Just at idle, hit the gas, does the engine sputter at all there?

**Freshy** · 02-03-2013 09:32 PM

No..it doesnt seem as though it comes from the engine..more as i release the clutch. Keep in mind the new components have less than 300 miles on them. Any break in period for this kinda stuff?

**Anub1s** · 02-03-2013 10:26 PM

What all was replaced with the clutch job? If something was reused, specifically a worn or uneven flywheel, it could be the cause here. If it isn't the engine, something apparently is skipping a bit when you're engaging the clutch. Could go away with use, but if it gets worse or doesn't go away in another tank of gas or so, I'd be asking to have the dealer look at it.

The odd thing there is, though, that clutch chatter typically happens when starting off in first gear, or shifting up. I don't think I've ever experienced it when downshifting.