What is Up with These Clutches!?

1slow370 · 11-04-2014, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooler

LOL, my wonderful clutch is rattling and making noise when the clutch is depressed. I feel it in the clutch pedal also. I want to take it in to the dealer (old friends) but I don't want just more of the same. I most definitely won't put up with any "it's not under warranty crap". My CSC is still good at the moment but it is only a matter of time. I loath this sorry design.

this is unfortunately a clutch issue and you can't get rid of it, unless something is broken and you have your own unique problem.

juld0zer · 11-04-2014, 08:18 PM

the factory fireshield over a section of the clutch line near the bell housing is inadequate. it is possible to develop similar symptoms with just normal street driving because of the proximity of the clutch line to the cat.

You did mention that you get the same symptoms after cruising on the motorways which seems odd because the airflow would keep things tame.
With the warm ambients and traffic here in Sydney, i resorted to replacing the fluid with RBF600 and wrapping almost all of the clutch line near the cat with exhaust wrap (both the hard line and the flexible section), all the way to the bell housing.

That cured the issue and i feared the traffic no more. This was before i had the CSC replaced due to fluid loss. I think the dealer removed most of the wrap when they replaced the CSC but i havent really noticed the mushy pedal issue since the replacement. Fluid level is unchanged, colour is perfect. I'm happy enough even thouggh the clutch feels a bit too on/off for me. as in the friction point is very narrow, but im not going to disturb anythinf until it really goes south. good luck!

radensb · 11-05-2014, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juld0zer

the factory fireshield over a section of the clutch line near the bell housing is inadequate. it is possible to develop similar symptoms with just normal street driving because of the proximity of the clutch line to the cat.

You did mention that you get the same symptoms after cruising on the motorways which seems odd because the airflow would keep things tame.
With the warm ambients and traffic here in Sydney, i resorted to replacing the fluid with RBF600 and wrapping almost all of the clutch line near the cat with exhaust wrap (both the hard line and the flexible section), all the way to the bell housing.

That cured the issue and i feared the traffic no more. This was before i had the CSC replaced due to fluid loss. I think the dealer removed most of the wrap when they replaced the CSC but i havent really noticed the mushy pedal issue since the replacement. Fluid level is unchanged, colour is perfect. I'm happy enough even thouggh the clutch feels a bit too on/off for me. as in the friction point is very narrow, but im not going to disturb anythinf until it really goes south. good luck!

I noticed on/off feeling you mention when I did a flush months ago to recover from an un-drivable situation. The flush made all the difference. I also looked at the heat wrap option. It's interesting to hear that wrapping the tube solved your problem. It's pretty clear that it was in fact heat related. Did you have another OEM unit installed?

radensb · 11-05-2014, 01:59 PM

UPDATE:

Dropped my Z off this morning at the dealer. Just got a call stating that they noticed insufficient heat shielding on the clutch line and damage to the heat shielding around the CAT.
They flushed the clutch fluid, which was completely blackened, checked the system for leaks (none were found), addressed the clutch line shielding, and are replacing the CAT under emissions components warranty.
I get my car back this afternoon. We'll see how it feels. $0 charge for services.

It seems that the last time the CSC was replaced, it was not buttoned up correctly which over time led to the problems.

Who knows. I am already looking to get the zspeed unit because, YES, I know this will fail again at some point... I have a 3rd party warranty with a $100 deductible that I used to get the first CSC replaced. I asked the dealer if they would install the zspeed unit instead of the OEM unit WHEN my current unit fails if I supplied it.
They didn't think it would be a problem, but they would have to document to the warranty company that a non OEM part was installed, which may void any further warranty service on that part.

...That's fine by me.

I will just make sure they replace the master too.

If they have a problem installing a non OEM part at the dealer, they said I can have the work done at another shop that accepts warranty claims.

Hopefully that won't be for a while yet.

1slow370 · 11-04-2014, 09:05 PM

My clutch line on my aftermarket setup is completly un wrapped and i have noticed no problems.

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

MJB · 11-04-2014, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1slow370

My clutch line on my aftermarket setup is completly un wrapped and i have noticed no problems.

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

After I had my Zspeed csc installed, I went almost a year without that fiberglass wrap on the clutch line. Never had any issues either.

nis350 · 11-05-2014, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radensb

I solved this by flushing the clutch fluid with new ATE TYP 200. The old fluid that came out was very dirty. With the new fluid, the clutch performed great and I had no issues...
?

Not sure how many miles you put in during the 6 mos period, but the clutch fluid should not be very dirty. It may be that the internal seals are wearing prematurely and caused the fluid to turn black.

The csc was replaced by the dealer under warranty 18 mos ago with 10k miles. The fluid is still very clean (golden clear color) and the clutch is working well.

fuct · 11-05-2014, 12:37 PM

just to add a little fuel to these fires.....

the crummy CSC/hydraulic clutch system in the 370 is one of the MAJOR factors in me selling my nismo. i had the car 4 years. i went thru the first CSC in 24k miles. the dealership even said my clutch looked great with zero abuse.

i babied that car, and i babied it after i had the CSC replaced. The nismo was my daily driver which it can do perfectly fine as long as you dont drive the car aggressively. but who the hell wants one if you are too scared to break it???

i sold it at 69k miles. i wouldnt be surprised if the next owner gets 5/10k fun miles before it all breaks again.

driven hard these "OEM" systems will only last a year. babied you can get away with several more.

JARblue · 11-05-2014, 04:57 PM

Wow... black clutch fluid with no system leaks and they replace the catalytic converter? Sounds like a typical dealer experience

Btw I have over 10K miles in the Texas summer sun without the clutch line heat shielding. No issues whatsoever.

radensb · 11-05-2014, 08:45 PM

Got the Z and drove her home. Clutch feels perfect. Very tight and consistent the whole drive, which included about 15 miles of freeway. I didn't notice any of the symptoms that I previously had, just like the last time I did the flush. Hopefully this time it will last longer.

Optimiser · 11-06-2014, 05:31 AM

It's funny how you Yanks get all the dodgy Z's

Chuck33079 · 11-06-2014, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimiser

It's funny how you Yanks get all the dodgy Z's

It's not a coincidence. My theory is Japan still holds a bit of a grudge.

Juan@Fontana · 11-06-2014, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

It's not a coincidence. My theory is Japan still holds a bit of a grudge.

i agree,

japan got payback, no cool cars under 100K

11-05-2014, 01:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
radensb Base Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: California Posts: 165 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z GM M6 Rep Power: 6722	Update: UPDATE: Dropped my Z off this morning at the dealer. Just got a call stating that they noticed insufficient heat shielding on the clutch line and damage to the heat shielding around the CAT. They flushed the clutch fluid, which was completely blackened, checked the system for leaks (none were found), addressed the clutch line shielding, and are replacing the CAT under emissions components warranty. I get my car back this afternoon. We'll see how it feels. $0 charge for services. It seems that the last time the CSC was replaced, it was not buttoned up correctly which over time led to the problems. Who knows. I am already looking to get the zspeed unit because, YES, I know this will fail again at some point... I have a 3rd party warranty with a $100 deductible that I used to get the first CSC replaced. I asked the dealer if they would install the zspeed unit instead of the OEM unit WHEN my current unit fails if I supplied it. They didn't think it would be a problem, but they would have to document to the warranty company that a non OEM part was installed, which may void any further warranty service on that part. ...That's fine by me. I will just make sure they replace the master too. If they have a problem installing a non OEM part at the dealer, they said I can have the work done at another shop that accepts warranty claims. Hopefully that won't be for a while yet.

11-04-2014, 09:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7251	My clutch line on my aftermarket setup is completly un wrapped and i have noticed no problems. Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk MJB likes this. __________________ ANSWER PRICE LIST Answers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $0.75 Answers (requiring thought) - - - - $1.25 Answers (correct) - - - - - - - - - - $12.50

11-05-2014, 04:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 44 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684441	Wow... black clutch fluid with no system leaks and they replace the catalytic converter? Sounds like a typical dealer experience Btw I have over 10K miles in the Texas summer sun without the clutch line heat shielding. No issues whatsoever. Chuck33079 likes this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

11-06-2014, 05:31 AM	#11 (permalink)
Optimiser Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 456 Drives: 2012 Nissan 370Z MT Rep Power: 20145	It's funny how you Yanks get all the dodgy Z's radensb likes this.

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11-04-2014, 08:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
juld0zer Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sydney Posts: 428 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 139	the factory fireshield over a section of the clutch line near the bell housing is inadequate. it is possible to develop similar symptoms with just normal street driving because of the proximity of the clutch line to the cat. You did mention that you get the same symptoms after cruising on the motorways which seems odd because the airflow would keep things tame. With the warm ambients and traffic here in Sydney, i resorted to replacing the fluid with RBF600 and wrapping almost all of the clutch line near the cat with exhaust wrap (both the hard line and the flexible section), all the way to the bell housing. That cured the issue and i feared the traffic no more. This was before i had the CSC replaced due to fluid loss. I think the dealer removed most of the wrap when they replaced the CSC but i havent really noticed the mushy pedal issue since the replacement. Fluid level is unchanged, colour is perfect. I'm happy enough even thouggh the clutch feels a bit too on/off for me. as in the friction point is very narrow, but im not going to disturb anythinf until it really goes south. good luck!

11-05-2014, 12:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	just to add a little fuel to these fires..... the crummy CSC/hydraulic clutch system in the 370 is one of the MAJOR factors in me selling my nismo. i had the car 4 years. i went thru the first CSC in 24k miles. the dealership even said my clutch looked great with zero abuse. i babied that car, and i babied it after i had the CSC replaced. The nismo was my daily driver which it can do perfectly fine as long as you dont drive the car aggressively. but who the hell wants one if you are too scared to break it??? i sold it at 69k miles. i wouldnt be surprised if the next owner gets 5/10k fun miles before it all breaks again. driven hard these "OEM" systems will only last a year. babied you can get away with several more.

11-05-2014, 08:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
radensb Base Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: California Posts: 165 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z GM M6 Rep Power: 6722	Got the Z and drove her home. Clutch feels perfect. Very tight and consistent the whole drive, which included about 15 miles of freeway. I didn't notice any of the symptoms that I previously had, just like the last time I did the flush. Hopefully this time it will last longer.