Clutch issues

[O2BQIK]

Update: The car has been at the dealership 4 times now I think. They have replaced the clutch and the problem remains. The dealership now claims that there is no problem; the clutch is operating normally. I don't understand that logic since they have spent so much time on the issue...how do you now say it's normal and to live with it?

In any case I now have an open "service request" with GM and am awaiting a district specialist to call me tomorrow. My patience is wearing thin.

I appreciate the suggestions for DIY fixes, but my problem with them is that it would probably void part or all of the warranty if GM knew about it, and honestly I have a lot of issues now besides the clutch and won't risk voiding the warranty.

[spunk]

I had a problem with mine as well I had mentioned it several times.service center told me it was me.I assured them it was not they asked me to leave it with a full tank of gas because unless they could get the car to do what I had said they couldn't even look at it Gm would not pay for warranty work.not smelling but rather not fully engaging on a incline hard to explain like slipping ,clutch half way down slip them pick up the gear ? was way wrong... tec said felt spongy service order said they bleed the lines and it was low ,I had it checked yesterday its low again .my question is were does it go it go if it is low. it leaks right ?

[O2BQIK]

Originally Posted by spunk

I had a problem with mine as well I had mentioned it several times.service center told me it was me.I assured them it was not they asked me to leave it with a full tank of gas because unless they could get the car to do what I had said they couldn't even look at it Gm would not pay for warranty work.not smelling but rather not fully engaging on a incline hard to explain like slipping ,clutch half way down slip them pick up the gear ? was way wrong... tec said felt spongy service order said they bleed the lines and it was low ,I had it checked yesterday its low again .my question is were does it go it go if it is low. it leaks right ?

Dealer told me I had some fluid leaking which they originally thought accounted for the burning smell.

[Kubi]

I am taking mine in next week to the dealer. I did a hard launch and red-lined at 29MPH in 1st and again when I shifted to 2nd. I limped off the street and open the hood. The clutch was burning up I let cooled down and drove home. It slips every now and then so something is up. I have something like 3400 miles on the car. I was concerned about the clutch from the very beginning and even posted about it. If you are going to make a car with that kind of power I would think that they would have a clutch that could handle it. Its funny, I had 3 Acuras I beat the crap out of and never had a problem with the clutch or anything come to think about it ....go figure.

[O2BQIK]

Kubi, I hear you and I agree. My dealer even tried to tell me that it's just because the SS has so much power. I told them about my '99 SS which made more power and used the stock LS1 clutch for 80K miles! And it never stank up the garage like my 2010. Not to mention the fact that there are plenty of cars on the market today which make more power than the LS3.

[Juls62]

I have the same problem with mine, talked to the dealership and they just said it was probably just a "break-in " issue

[roccky08]

Just experienced the same issue about 10 min ago, please keep us posted

[srstewart03]

Ok guys, this is a bit premature on the fix but i will keep you posted. My slave cylinder went out at 3800 miles. Wich i'm running a HD Ram clutch and stainless flywheel that definately affected the already poorly designed thing. Everyone is spot on as far as the fluid temp being to high do to the routing of the tubing line. i seen a few guys talking about changing fluid to dot 4 that has a higher boiling temp. FYI, it also has alot higher detergent as well.So in time its gonna fail when the dot 4 eats those cheap seals in the poorly designed cylinder. Also chevrolet has no slave cylinders for you and no date on when they would. So after alot of digging I found my fix. McCleod Hyd thowout bearing designed for high spring tension clutches. I talked with the techs out there and it actually requires another extra part. So that covers my cylinder issue but still have the fluid issue of gettin to hot. Well I found a fix for that from DEI up in ohio. they have some 3/8 shielded heat sleeve material capable of withholding continuous 500f and handle spikes up to 2000f. That will cover my line to protect from heat. Dot 3 is all thats recommended from McCleod due to the rubber compound of the seals. I should have everything in and installed by midweek and will post all the info if anybody is interested.

LIVE FAST!!!!

[Michael_Js]

Sure! I'm interested - Please keep us posted, then pictures and info

Thanks,
Michael J.

[wylde1]

I've also read that some people are finding clutch dust in their fluid. it can enter the system through the slave seals and really mess things up. AND once a hydraulic fluid boils once, it's never the same. It can burn up the additives and detergents that way. Mabye a full flush to clean the system and a high temp "racing" grade fluid would help? You could also separate the clutch resevoir to save money on the expensive racing fluid. Your breaks don't need that stuff. (unless your racing it of course)

[clg_98ta]

Originally Posted by steeleshark2

Well, its the slave cylinder but you do not need another one. I had this issue (it sticking) and found a fix. Goto auto store or Walmart, get a large plastic syringe and high temp DOT 4 brake fluid. Suck out your old brake fluid, and put the high temp Dot 4 in. Pump the brakes and clutch and do it all again. If you get the small bottle of fluid get 2 or 3 of them. It is only a few dollars a bottle. What is happening is that your brake/clutch fluid is boiling and not creating enough pressure to push your clutch peddle back up during an extended period of heavy use. New fluid with a higher boiling temp fixed this for me and the clutch actually feels better then it did when brand new. As for the smell, it is your clutch getting hot from heavy use. Just do not ride the clutch and you will not get the smell unless in heavy traffic. Then try to stop and go a little less meaning you do not have to move up if the car in front of you only moved 5 feet. I hope this helps!!

This approach replaces the fluid in the reservoir and somewhat in the master (mixing old and new), but doesn't affect the fluid in the line between the master and slave - and that's where the problem would be. The only real way is to bleed fluid out at the slave as you add to the reservoir.

[O2BQIK]

Well...my GM "District Specialist" called me today to say that GM considers there to be no problem and they will take no further action on this. She went so far as to refer me to the better business bureau if i didn't like it. Wow. I can't believe my beloved GM would treat a customer this way. I haven't decided my next steps...I may pursue Texas lemon laws (I believe my case qualifies), or i may fix the issue myself. But if I do that, then I void my warranty. Nice.

Would be grateful if everyone else experiencing this issue would report it so that GM can see it's not just me.

[Kubi]

Originally Posted by srstewart03

I should have everything in and installed by midweek and will post all the info if anybody is interested.

LIVE FAST!!!!

Keep us posted. I have a ACT twin disk on the way and if I need to address the fluid now is a good time to know.

[kevman2010]

Originally Posted by O2BQIK

Well...my GM "District Specialist" called me today to say that GM considers there to be no problem and they will take no further action on this. She went so far as to refer me to the better business bureau if i didn't like it. Wow. I can't believe my beloved GM would treat a customer this way. I haven't decided my next steps...I may pursue Texas lemon laws (I believe my case qualifies), or i may fix the issue myself. But if I do that, then I void my warranty. Nice.

Would be grateful if everyone else experiencing this issue would report it so that GM can see it's not just me.

Would be nice if GM could look at this site. There's all kinds of people on here who have had similar clutch problems.