Clutch Pedal After Cross Country Trip

Shutterjock · 01-10-2015, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfrz93

How's it going guys! Car currently has a little under 35,000 miles

Luis here with a few questions after a few things I noticed while and after driving to and from Houston, Tx from Miami,Fl.

It was a long 18 hour trip, did both trips in basically one sitting, with 4-6 stops max letting the car rest for maybe 15-30 minutes. After a few hours of cruising, the clutch pedal would feel very very soft. I would throw the car in neutral to roll, and pump the clutch pedal until it got stiff again. I didn't freak out as I did realize I was putting the car in high stress, but I always tracked the temperatures of the oil and motor to make sure everything was fine.

Acceleration seemed fine, shifting was as always, but the clutch pedal would just get very soft until I pumped it a few times.

Am I being a hypochondriac? Is this low fluid? Bad CSC? Bad clutch disc/pressure plate? I've searched quite a bit on the forums, but I didn't come to anything clear enough.

Thanks guys!

PS: I'm looking at that Z1 clutch line but I have never done more than changing my oil/wheels on a car

taking DIYs one at a time and slowly.

My 2010 is in the shop for the third time in three years for the very same issue. Apparently, the CSC (and maybe fluid used) has issues. There are numerous examples from folks of this happening, but I suspect not enough for a recall.

In my case the pedal would drop to the floor and stay requiring a manual reset via my foot, initially only once every so often, but with increasing regularity as the days/weeks progressed. I really noticed it after extended drives in which I made use of 5th and 6th gears for a lengthy distance and at higher speeds. Once you move on into 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears it would generally build up pressure a bit more during the early stages of the process.

Anyway, the first two times I did not engage maintenance at Nissan dealerships until the clutch failed completely --- which it will, in my opinion, if left alone. Each time they replaced the master and slave cylinders --- and a hose the second time around.

This, my third time, they will replace the entire hydraulics system with regards to the clutch (my understanding is that includes all hoses/mater/slave etc.) plus will go with the better fluid used in GTRs which supposedly holds up better to heat.

Note: Each of the previous fixes held out for approx one year, so I'm hoping this will be a final fix. I have also thought about adding an aftermarket slave cylinder. Not sure how that would affect the warranty and, truth be told, I'm not quite certain anyone knows exactly why the system is failing but the "fix" has been consistent.

I suggest taking it into a dealership and have them reach back to regional tech folks for their insight. I'm sure it's on their radar.

As a side note, the dealership maintenance folks will HAVE TO replicate the issue in your vehicle, so be prepared to put them behind the wheel and have them drive it for a distance. I did so with my rep and it failed 10 times after an approx 30 miles drive in 5th gear and then pulling off the highway and down shifting. Additionally, in each case my fluids were checked during the initial "screening" and found to be fine -- or at least not the obvious cause.

Spooler · 01-10-2015, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfrz93

Anyone have experience with this? ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 DOT 4 Brake Fluid - 1 Liter:Amazon:Automotive

Or should I stick to motul?

In a pinch, I use the Valvoline Synthetic Dot 3&4.

lfrz93 · 01-10-2015, 07:49 PM

That's exactly what I experienced!

I hope they're able to fix your issue for good, I will probably bring it to a dealership if I can't have my problem fixed or relieved after the flush.

Have you asked if it is related to the pressure plate or clutch disk?

DOOMMONKEY777 · 01-10-2015, 08:55 PM

If ur csc had failed on u wile driving and u emptied the plastic reserve in most cases the master cylinder also pumped dry, u MUST change both master and slave cylinders. Just throwing it out there.

lfrz93 · 01-10-2015, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOOMMONKEY777

If ur csc had failed on u wile driving and u emptied the plastic reserve in most cases the master cylinder also pumped dry, u MUST change both master and slave cylinders. Just throwing it out there.

I don't believe to have emptied the reserve. I just bought my Motul, should be here Tuesday. I will keep you all updated.

I will do the line upgrade later on (hopefully everything runs fine until the summer), when I upgrade clutch/flywheel and have an aftermarket CSC installed or the Z1 elimination kit.

Spooler · 01-10-2015, 10:06 PM

Good luck to you. Since you lost no fluid, maybe you will be OK for a little while. Make sure you suck all of the uck out of the CMC first, add new fluid, then bleed it. You can gravity bleed until it becomes clear. Don't forget to not let the reservoir run empty. If you see any sludge in the bottom of the reservoir, that is a sign of being on borrowed time. You just never know.

Also, double check for the insulation around the clutch line to the CSC.

lfrz93 · 01-10-2015, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooler

Good luck to you. Since you lost no fluid, maybe you will be OK for a little while. Make sure you suck all of the uck out of the CMC first, add new fluid, then bleed it. You can gravity bleed until it becomes clear. Don't forget to not let the reservoir run empty. If you see any sludge in the bottom of the reservoir, that is a sign of being on borrowed time. You just never know.

Thank you, I'm being positive and the car has never failed me. I'm hoping that if it does fail on me, it's not during something important or an emergency.

Really love the help, thank you gentlemen (and ladies, you never know).

Shutterjock · 01-10-2015, 11:06 PM

Take it in before catastrophic failure occurs. Give them the symptoms and they'll be tracking -- again, I'm sure it's on their radar at this point. If you wait much longer, you'll engage the clutch pedal one time and it'll fall to the floor and even a manual "foot reset" won't work. It'll just flop up and down.

My concern is that, while they are aware of the issue, they're still not certain as to what is causing it. If they new it was a CSC issue, or simply the fluid used, I'd think by now they'd be replacing them with upgraded versions.

I'm sure there is a "bean counter" somewhere who specializes in working the cost-to-benefit of such a scenario. And he is not I.

Good luck! I still love the car and once "fixed" I will take it on some distance drives in 5th and 6th just to see how it reacts.

DOOMMONKEY777 · 01-10-2015, 11:10 PM

Bleeed it NOW if its all working believe me i know what am talking about just bleed it, i had sooo much metal particles, and i had to bleed it twice a month apart and only after the second bleed the clutch feels perfect, i dont think ull make it till summer the metal particles will eat ur csc seal and it WILL fail soon.

lfrz93 · 01-10-2015, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOOMMONKEY777

Bleeed it NOW if its all working believe me i know what am talking about just bleed it, i had sooo much metal particles, and i had to bleed it twice a month apart and only after the second bleed the clutch feels perfect, i dont think ull make it till summer the metal particles will eat ur csc seal and it WILL fail soon.

Bleeding it Tuesday/Wednesday when my motul comes in. Sadly I will have to drive to campus about 8 miles away Monday and Tuesday, but not moving more than that.

I'm waiting till summer to drop the tranny is what I meant, I will be more careful with fluids now that I'm aware

JENZ · 01-12-2015, 02:02 AM

CSC is happening!!! Expect complete failure shortly. Mine seemed to have signs over a couple days and then bam!!! Told my hubby it was happening and he didn't believe me until he took it to his work (Nissan dealership) and had it diagnosed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-10-2015, 07:49 PM	#33 (permalink)
lfrz93 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Miami, FL Age: 31 Posts: 154 Drives: '09 6MT 370z To/Sprt Rep Power: 11	That's exactly what I experienced! I hope they're able to fix your issue for good, I will probably bring it to a dealership if I can't have my problem fixed or relieved after the flush. Have you asked if it is related to the pressure plate or clutch disk? __________________ Instagram: LFRZ93 / Tommy Kaira Knob / Agency Power Catback / Top Speed Test Pipes

01-10-2015, 08:55 PM	#34 (permalink)
DOOMMONKEY777 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Crooklyn Posts: 1,008 Drives: 370Z 6psd-sport-pkg Rep Power: 21	If ur csc had failed on u wile driving and u emptied the plastic reserve in most cases the master cylinder also pumped dry, u MUST change both master and slave cylinders. Just throwing it out there. __________________ Kids don't do Drugs, Drugs are bad, so let the professional druggies do Drugs for you. 537whp/496lb/tq@8-9PSI 93 octane

01-10-2015, 11:06 PM	#38 (permalink)
Shutterjock Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 55 Drives: 370z NISMO (2010) Rep Power: 14	Now's the time to engage Take it in before catastrophic failure occurs. Give them the symptoms and they'll be tracking -- again, I'm sure it's on their radar at this point. If you wait much longer, you'll engage the clutch pedal one time and it'll fall to the floor and even a manual "foot reset" won't work. It'll just flop up and down. My concern is that, while they are aware of the issue, they're still not certain as to what is causing it. If they new it was a CSC issue, or simply the fluid used, I'd think by now they'd be replacing them with upgraded versions. I'm sure there is a "bean counter" somewhere who specializes in working the cost-to-benefit of such a scenario. And he is not I. Good luck! I still love the car and once "fixed" I will take it on some distance drives in 5th and 6th just to see how it reacts. lfrz93 likes this. __________________ Shutterjock Z Photographer http://www.shutterjock.com "No Matter Where I Go, There I Am"

01-10-2015, 11:10 PM	#39 (permalink)
DOOMMONKEY777 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Crooklyn Posts: 1,008 Drives: 370Z 6psd-sport-pkg Rep Power: 21	Bleeed it NOW if its all working believe me i know what am talking about just bleed it, i had sooo much metal particles, and i had to bleed it twice a month apart and only after the second bleed the clutch feels perfect, i dont think ull make it till summer the metal particles will eat ur csc seal and it WILL fail soon. lfrz93 likes this. __________________ Kids don't do Drugs, Drugs are bad, so let the professional druggies do Drugs for you. 537whp/496lb/tq@8-9PSI 93 octane

01-12-2015, 02:02 AM	#41 (permalink)
JENZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,356 Drives: 2016 Mazda MX-5 Club Rep Power: 20	CSC is happening!!! Expect complete failure shortly. Mine seemed to have signs over a couple days and then bam!!! Told my hubby it was happening and he didn't believe me until he took it to his work (Nissan dealership) and had it diagnosed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ IG: @dawdlingcupcake

01-10-2015, 10:06 PM	#36 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,801 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	Good luck to you. Since you lost no fluid, maybe you will be OK for a little while. Make sure you suck all of the uck out of the CMC first, add new fluid, then bleed it. You can gravity bleed until it becomes clear. Don't forget to not let the reservoir run empty. If you see any sludge in the bottom of the reservoir, that is a sign of being on borrowed time. You just never know. Also, double check for the insulation around the clutch line to the CSC.

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