Csc?

[vtec to vvel]

I've read about the CSC issue, heard about it, etc., but wanted to get some opinions before jumping to conclusions. This will be my 3rd Z, and never experienced this before.

The other day, I was driving and while reversing into a parking space, I felt less pressure on the clutch pedal when pushing down. The clutch pedal came to its usual position when coming up and wasn't lower by any means.

I parked and checked the clutch fluid, which went from the Max. line (I check this each time before I drive, amongst other things), and the fluid level was at the middle. Parked it and went to work and about 9 hours later, check the fluid before starting her up and fluid still in the middle. No fluid leaks on the pavement. Drive home was normal and normal feel for the clutch pedal. Next morning, checked the clutch fluid, and still at the middle mark. And no fluid leaks in the cabin or on the ground.

Any thoughts/opinions?

[Spooler]

It is in the Bell housing of the tranny more than likely.

[vtec to vvel]

So a csc issue or something else? I figured if it’s a csc issue, I wouldn’t have been able to drive normally?


She is a ‘13 with 40k miles. After looking at carfax service records, looks like the tranny was replaced at 20k miles and clutch master cylinder replaced at 25k miles.

[justin_boy]

Originally Posted by vtec to vvel

So a csc issue or something else? I figured if it’s a csc issue, I wouldn’t have been able to drive normally?


She is a ‘13 with 40k miles. After looking at carfax service records, looks like the tranny was replaced at 20k miles and clutch master cylinder replaced at 25k miles.

what made them replace the tranny at 20k?

[vtec to vvel]

Originally Posted by Spooler

Change the fluid out to a dot 4 fluid and see what happens.

Do I have to drain the old fluid or can I just top off with dot4? I read dot3 and 4 are compatible. I get dot4 has a higher boiling point, but what would putting dot4 do?

Originally Posted by justin_boy

what made them replace the tranny at 20k?

Doesn’t say. I’m assuming it’s for the csc.

[JARblue]

Originally Posted by vtec to vvel

Doesn’t say. I’m assuming it’s for the csc.

Worst case, CSC failure spits clutch fluid all over the clutch plate requires new clutch and flywheel in addition to a new CSC. Transmission replacement would not be warranted for CSC failure; it was likely something much more serious that necessitated the replacement. I sure as hell would have wanted to know what the issue was before even purchasing the vehicle.

[viiv]

Originally Posted by vtec to vvel

Do I have to drain the old fluid or can I just top off with dot4? I read dot3 and 4 are compatible. I get dot4 has a higher boiling point, but what would putting dot4 do?

My theory is that once the fluid boils the first time, it is able to easily get 'around' and breach the seals of the CSC. Note, I have never held a CSC in my hand, just mentally guessing how it's built in my head.

Once the seals are breached the first time, assuming you don't have a catastrophic failure right there, right then, the seals are now significantly weakened and the CSC is on borrowed time.

I had the dealer replace the factory fill DOT 3 fluid on my 2020 with Motul RBF600 before driving off the lot.

We will see if the car having only ever been driven with RBF600 since new along with an annual RBF 600 fluid flush (summer driven car only) keeps the CSC in good condition.

[Spooler]

Change the fluid out to a dot 4 fluid and see what happens.

[axmea?]

Just a matter of time before it gives out. Start planning for your replacement. It is a good idea to go with a ZSpeed csc delete. Might as well upgrade your clutch and flywheel while you're at it.

[jchammond]

Originally Posted by axmea?

Just a matter of time before it gives out. Start planning for your replacement. It is a good idea to go with a ZSpeed csc delete. Might as well upgrade your clutch and flywheel while you're at it.

Zspeed w/cmak & whatever stage the you/Joe thinks is best.
You’ll be glad you did

[vtec to vvel]

Originally Posted by axmea?

Just a matter of time before it gives out. Start planning for your replacement. It is a good idea to go with a ZSpeed csc delete. Might as well upgrade your clutch and flywheel while you're at it.

I’m just so disheartened about this that I am leaning towards saving up and trading it in for something else. Too scared to drive the Z now and don’t want to spend $$ fixing it.

[JARblue]

Originally Posted by vtec to vvel

I’m just so disheartened about this that I am leaning towards saving up and trading it in for something else. Too scared to drive the Z now and don’t want to spend $$ fixing it.

It's sad that Nissan doesn't care that this problem plagues it's customers. But there is info all over this forum and a little research would have prepared you for this eventuality. There are people that bought a brand new Z and had the CSC fail driving off the dealer lot, so consider yourself lucky that yours lasted this long.

I think you should install a ZSpeed replacement so you don't have to worry about it ever again. You're going to lose a lot more than the cost of CSC replacement if you try to trade in the car with a leaking transmission bell housing

[Lvcky69]

Originally Posted by JARblue

It's sad that Nissan doesn't care that this problem plagues it's customers. But there is info all over this forum and a little research would have prepared you for this eventuality. There are people that bought a brand new Z and had the CSC fail driving off the dealer lot, so consider yourself lucky that yours lasted this long.

I think you should install a ZSpeed replacement so you don't have to worry about it ever again. You're going to lose a lot more than the cost of CSC replacement if you try to trade in the car with a leaking transmission bell housing

exactly. buyers will find out prior purchasing the car. for example, if I find out the car had its tranny replaced, i would walk away. Biden is gonna send a $1400 check for everyone so you could use that towards that lol

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Lvcky69

exactly. buyers will find out prior purchasing the car. for example, if I find out the car had its tranny replaced, i would walk away. Biden is gonna send a $1400 check for everyone so you could use that towards that lol

What happened to the $2000 he promised on 1/4/21?

[vtec to vvel]

Originally Posted by JARblue

Worst case, CSC failure spits clutch fluid all over the clutch plate requires new clutch and flywheel in addition to a new CSC. Transmission replacement would not be warranted for CSC failure; it was likely something much more serious that necessitated the replacement. I sure as hell would have wanted to know what the issue was before even purchasing the vehicle.

I actually read it on the carfax after purchasing. I had an ‘09 7AT at the time and wanted a manual again so bad that I guess I rushed into it. No issues and drove like a champ.

Originally Posted by JARblue

It's sad that Nissan doesn't care that this problem plagues it's customers. But there is info all over this forum and a little research would have prepared you for this eventuality. There are people that bought a brand new Z and had the CSC fail driving off the dealer lot, so consider yourself lucky that yours lasted this long.

I think you should install a ZSpeed replacement so you don't have to worry about it ever again. You're going to lose a lot more than the cost of CSC replacement if you try to trade in the car with a leaking transmission bell housing

Even when I had the ‘07 350Z, I read about the same issue about csc but never had an issue. Bought her with 16k miles and traded in at 80k and no csc issues. I figured I’d get lucky here too lol.

I wouldn’t even know where to take my car to for that kind of work. Def don’t want to take it to the dealership.

I’ve always wanted a gtr. I started a new job that is enabling me to do so and may just leave the Z parked until trade in time.