xfactor
07-22-2009, 07:22 PM
First, let me make a statement. I have driven manual transmissions all my life, first a Honda, then a 5.0LX Mustang, a Toyota truck, a TR-6, a M Roadster, and now my GXP. So, I am not Dale Earnhardt but I am not Mr. Bean either. Here's the issue with as much detail as I can offer.
I began to notice that I had difficultly going to 2nd and a little difficulty going into 3rd. It was about halfway through the shift and felt like a catch but not a grind. It was not consistent and I didn't have the issue all the time. I first thought it was me since it had been about 6 months since I drove the M Roadster. Then I started to think it was the skip shift solenoid not retracting all the way (I am guessing that is how it worked) but never really hung my hat on this one. Then I started to think it was the clutch pressure plate, think I wore it out but couldn't believe this as I don't ride the clutch and it was not consistent. One thing I noticed is that when it is doing it if I push the clutch in while driving 30+ mph and put it in a low gear, namely 1st, but not let the clutch out I could feel some engagement.
I start trying to see when it happened and what was similar about the occurrences. I have noticed that it is much worse when the temperature is below 50 F until the car heats up. One thought I had is that the transmission is low on fluid but it is sealed and there are no visible signs of leakage. I thought this thinking that if it was low after setting the fluid would be on the bottom and not on all the gears and since it was cooler it would be thick and have to heat up to get on all the gears. This didn't make since at that would mean that the gear oil is the consistency of butter, and I don't think it is.
I recently read the thread on the clutch master cylinder. This got me thinking, maybe that is what it is. If the cylinder was bad and had blow by it could very well do this. When the fluid is cold and thicker, then it would have to press harder and the blow by would increase. I checked the level of fluid in the master cylinder (I am assuming that the hydraulic clutch uses the same reservoir) and it didn't appear low. It was not below the bottom of the vertical slot in the reservoir. One thing I did notice is that the fluid is almost the color and clarity of tea. I noticed that this morning it was as smooth as glass, this evening was the same going to the dry cleaners, but going home I could feel it. The last week has been pretty good since the temp has been at least 60 in the morning and high 80's in the evening.
So a few questions for you expert types:
1. Is the master cylinder reservoir used for the hydraulic clutch fluid?
2. Is the color and clarity right for the fluid?
3. What the hell is up with my clutch?
I am going to schedule a visit with the Pontiac dealer but they more than likely haven't seen one and haven't have manual transmission experience in quite a few years so I would like to have my shit together before they try to suggest some crazy stuff.
Thank you all for your input.
X
I began to notice that I had difficultly going to 2nd and a little difficulty going into 3rd. It was about halfway through the shift and felt like a catch but not a grind. It was not consistent and I didn't have the issue all the time. I first thought it was me since it had been about 6 months since I drove the M Roadster. Then I started to think it was the skip shift solenoid not retracting all the way (I am guessing that is how it worked) but never really hung my hat on this one. Then I started to think it was the clutch pressure plate, think I wore it out but couldn't believe this as I don't ride the clutch and it was not consistent. One thing I noticed is that when it is doing it if I push the clutch in while driving 30+ mph and put it in a low gear, namely 1st, but not let the clutch out I could feel some engagement.
I start trying to see when it happened and what was similar about the occurrences. I have noticed that it is much worse when the temperature is below 50 F until the car heats up. One thought I had is that the transmission is low on fluid but it is sealed and there are no visible signs of leakage. I thought this thinking that if it was low after setting the fluid would be on the bottom and not on all the gears and since it was cooler it would be thick and have to heat up to get on all the gears. This didn't make since at that would mean that the gear oil is the consistency of butter, and I don't think it is.
I recently read the thread on the clutch master cylinder. This got me thinking, maybe that is what it is. If the cylinder was bad and had blow by it could very well do this. When the fluid is cold and thicker, then it would have to press harder and the blow by would increase. I checked the level of fluid in the master cylinder (I am assuming that the hydraulic clutch uses the same reservoir) and it didn't appear low. It was not below the bottom of the vertical slot in the reservoir. One thing I did notice is that the fluid is almost the color and clarity of tea. I noticed that this morning it was as smooth as glass, this evening was the same going to the dry cleaners, but going home I could feel it. The last week has been pretty good since the temp has been at least 60 in the morning and high 80's in the evening.
So a few questions for you expert types:
1. Is the master cylinder reservoir used for the hydraulic clutch fluid?
2. Is the color and clarity right for the fluid?
3. What the hell is up with my clutch?
I am going to schedule a visit with the Pontiac dealer but they more than likely haven't seen one and haven't have manual transmission experience in quite a few years so I would like to have my shit together before they try to suggest some crazy stuff.
Thank you all for your input.
X