Clutch suddenly feels super light, everything functions normally though - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Matt8892 · 11-18-2016, 03:11 PM

So out of no where as I was ready to go at a green light, I depressed the clutch and it felt super light. Like so light I didn't think the clutch was functioning. I eased on the gas and let the clutch our and the car started moving so I drive gently home. Then I drove to work and at first the clutch felt like it's normal stiffness, then it seemed to lighten up as I drove it again.

I'm really starting to wonder if it's in my head or if something is wrong. Any ideas as to why the clutch would suddenly feel super light? A couple weeks ago I added a clutch reservoir and everything felt normal up until today.

maddoggyusa · 11-18-2016, 03:32 PM

air in lines???

JusticePete · 11-18-2016, 03:36 PM

Sounds like a fluid problem. Have you ever bled your clutch?

Matt8892 · 11-18-2016, 03:58 PM

Have never bled it. Honestly not sure how to and it sounded like a real pain to do. I've just been swapping the reservoir fluid as it gets dirty in an effort to get as much old fluid out as I can.

Dimitrim · 11-18-2016, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt8892

Have never bled it. Honestly not sure how to and it sounded like a real pain to do. I've just been swapping the reservoir fluid as it gets dirty in an effort to get as much old fluid out as I can.

The reason to swap out the fluid is because it is a magnet for moisture, water. Water is no good for your fluid. When you swap out the fluid at the reservoir only it mixes with all the fluid in the lines and the slave cylinder. This will contaminate the entire system after a couple of pumps with the clutch pedal. This is causing your light clutch. Suck out your reservoir and bleed the system at the slave cylinder until new fluid comes out the slave cylinder bleeder.

Why did you have to change your reservoir in the first place?

christianchevell · 11-18-2016, 06:35 PM

A separate reservoir is preferable, and that reminds me I need to go change my fluid right now......As its a small one so it requires cleaning out fairly often as the hot fluid does dirty up a lot more than brake fluid does over its life and 'with a shared reservoir you have to clean out a lot more fluid' when the fluid turns colors and dirties from the clutch its a fact. Not knowing the miles you have on your engine/clutch too I would change out the fluid pumping repeatedly , and changing again if you do not have a remote bleeder to work up the particulate contamination from the clutch lines that's what you do usually.

JusticePete · 11-18-2016, 07:31 PM

You can bleed the slave out without a remote bleeder. It is a pain in the butt and messy, but you need to do it. Once you see clean fluid, use a can of brake clean to clean up the mess in and around the bell housing.

Matt8892 · 11-18-2016, 07:46 PM

Sorry, should have specified. I added a separate clutch reservoir, that's why I did the work I did. Car has 29k on it. Can anyone provide a quick crash course in bleeding the clutch? I've bled brakes once before, so not to sure how similar it is to that. Is it obvious where the slave cylinder and bleeder is?

JusticePete · 11-18-2016, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt8892

Sorry, should have specified. I added a separate clutch reservoir, that's why I did the work I did. Car has 29k on it. Can anyone provide a quick crash course in bleeding the clutch? I've bled brakes once before, so not to sure how similar it is to that. Is it obvious where the slave cylinder and bleeder is?

You reach it through a rectangular opening at the top of the bell housing. The bleeder is the same as on a caliper. Pump the peddle nd hold it to the floor. Open the bleeder. Let it run. Close it and repeat.

Matt8892 · 11-18-2016, 08:13 PM

Will tackle this tomorrow and report back. Thanks guys

CamaroDreams76 · 11-18-2016, 09:36 PM

interested in hearing the outcome

ytown87 · 11-19-2016, 10:19 AM

Swap out to Motul DOT4 fluid. The lines to the clutch/brake fluid run by the trans and when all that gets super hot from being pushed, the pedal can sometimes stick or get light feeling. Happens when you boil the fluid

Matt8892 · 11-19-2016, 02:14 PM

Dot 4 fluid in. Bled 4 times. Going to drive it and report back shortly.

Matt8892 · 11-20-2016, 08:38 AM

So after driving it all day yesterday after bleeding, the clutch feels amazing. Nice and tight again. Absolutely not stick at the bottom of its travel. The bleeder valve was not that bad to get to at all with a 1/4 inch ratchet and 8mm short socket. The only issue I ran into is after I finished the job while driving, I realized I forgot to put the rubber bleeder cover back on. But other than that, the clutch seems normal now!

11-18-2016, 03:11 PM	#1
Matt8892 Drives: 2010 2ss RS. White (RIP) 2012 LS3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 484	Clutch suddenly feels super light, everything functions normally though So out of no where as I was ready to go at a green light, I depressed the clutch and it felt super light. Like so light I didn't think the clutch was functioning. I eased on the gas and let the clutch our and the car started moving so I drive gently home. Then I drove to work and at first the clutch felt like it's normal stiffness, then it seemed to lighten up as I drove it again. I'm really starting to wonder if it's in my head or if something is wrong. Any ideas as to why the clutch would suddenly feel super light? A couple weeks ago I added a clutch reservoir and everything felt normal up until today.

11-18-2016, 06:35 PM	#6
christianchevell old school chevy rodder Drives: 2013 2SS/RS Manual,DM exhaust,CRT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,587 View My Garage	A separate reservoir is preferable, and that reminds me I need to go change my fluid right now......As its a small one so it requires cleaning out fairly often as the hot fluid does dirty up a lot more than brake fluid does over its life and 'with a shared reservoir you have to clean out a lot more fluid' when the fluid turns colors and dirties from the clutch its a fact. Not knowing the miles you have on your engine/clutch too I would change out the fluid pumping repeatedly , and changing again if you do not have a remote bleeder to work up the particulate contamination from the clutch lines that's what you do usually. __________________ 2021 Wild Cherry ZL1 A10, Sunroof, Data, Carbon, Nav, RotoFab Dry CAI, Elite x2, Borla ATK, Driveshaft shop

11-18-2016, 09:36 PM	#11
CamaroDreams76 Tri-County Camaro SWFL Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South West FL Posts: 3,078 View My Garage	interested in hearing the outcome __________________ Just bolt ons........ https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343023

11-19-2016, 10:19 AM	#12
ytown87 Drives: C6 Corvette Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,264	Swap out to Motul DOT4 fluid. The lines to the clutch/brake fluid run by the trans and when all that gets super hot from being pushed, the pedal can sometimes stick or get light feeling. Happens when you boil the fluid __________________ 2008 C6 m6. Carbon creations front/rear carbon fiber wodebody fenders. Carbon fiber hood carbon fiber roof hoop carbon fiber zr1 extreme spoiler. NW 102mm tb. Ported intake manifold. Cometic .040 head gaskets. LG motorsports G6x3 cam. DSX flex fuel sensor. AEM methanol kit. Z06 brakes. Ebiach sway bars. ZR1 rep wheels and Nitto Invo tires. Monster stage 3 twin disc clutch. MGW short shifter. Corbeau race seats. Gforce race harnesses. SLP loudmouth 2 mufflers. Carbon fiber exhaust tips. RPM stage 4 transmission and Stage 3 rear diff. 3.73 gears. Vararam cai. Kooks 1 7/8 headers and x-pipe.

11-18-2016, 03:32 PM	#2
maddoggyusa Drives: 2013 Camaro Dusk 2SS/6 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,586	air in lines???

11-18-2016, 03:36 PM	#3
JusticePete Drives: Camaro Justice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 20,174	Sounds like a fluid problem. Have you ever bled your clutch?

11-18-2016, 03:58 PM	#4
Matt8892 Drives: 2010 2ss RS. White (RIP) 2012 LS3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 484	Have never bled it. Honestly not sure how to and it sounded like a real pain to do. I've just been swapping the reservoir fluid as it gets dirty in an effort to get as much old fluid out as I can.

11-18-2016, 07:31 PM	#7
JusticePete Drives: Camaro Justice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 20,174	You can bleed the slave out without a remote bleeder. It is a pain in the butt and messy, but you need to do it. Once you see clean fluid, use a can of brake clean to clean up the mess in and around the bell housing.

11-18-2016, 07:46 PM	#8
Matt8892 Drives: 2010 2ss RS. White (RIP) 2012 LS3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 484	Sorry, should have specified. I added a separate clutch reservoir, that's why I did the work I did. Car has 29k on it. Can anyone provide a quick crash course in bleeding the clutch? I've bled brakes once before, so not to sure how similar it is to that. Is it obvious where the slave cylinder and bleeder is?

11-18-2016, 08:13 PM	#10
Matt8892 Drives: 2010 2ss RS. White (RIP) 2012 LS3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 484	Will tackle this tomorrow and report back. Thanks guys

11-19-2016, 02:14 PM	#13
Matt8892 Drives: 2010 2ss RS. White (RIP) 2012 LS3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 484	Dot 4 fluid in. Bled 4 times. Going to drive it and report back shortly.

11-20-2016, 08:38 AM	#14
Matt8892 Drives: 2010 2ss RS. White (RIP) 2012 LS3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 484	So after driving it all day yesterday after bleeding, the clutch feels amazing. Nice and tight again. Absolutely not stick at the bottom of its travel. The bleeder valve was not that bad to get to at all with a 1/4 inch ratchet and 8mm short socket. The only issue I ran into is after I finished the job while driving, I realized I forgot to put the rubber bleeder cover back on. But other than that, the clutch seems normal now!