Clutch Problem, Shop in AZ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 534
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek AZ
Clutch Problem, Shop in AZ?
My 96 LT-4 seems to have a clutch slip problem. The car has only 19k miles... I have owned it since 98 when it had 5k miles... this car has not been abused... what would cause the clutch to go bad in so few miles? This only happens occasionally, usually in lower rpms in 3-6 gears.
I am looking for reccs on a good shop in Phoenix to take it to... have had very bad exp with dealers in the area (I know, no surprise).
I am looking for reccs on a good shop in Phoenix to take it to... have had very bad exp with dealers in the area (I know, no surprise).
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
that isn't slip.
I am not sure WHAT it is, but that can't be slip.
To test the clutch, with the engine running, put it into 3rd gear, and hold down the brake, release the clutch. If the engine dies, the clutch is fine.
I am not sure WHAT it is, but that can't be slip.
To test the clutch, with the engine running, put it into 3rd gear, and hold down the brake, release the clutch. If the engine dies, the clutch is fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by DSchaefe
My 96 LT-4 seems to have a clutch slip problem. The car has only 19k miles... I have owned it since 98 when it had 5k miles... this car has not been abused... what would cause the clutch to go bad in so few miles? This only happens occasionally, usually in lower rpms in 3-6 gears.
I am looking for reccs on a good shop in Phoenix to take it to... have had very bad exp with dealers in the area (I know, no surprise).
I am looking for reccs on a good shop in Phoenix to take it to... have had very bad exp with dealers in the area (I know, no surprise).
Exotic Muscle www.exoticmuscle.com - talk to Trevor
ZR51 Performance (ZFDoc) www.zfdoc.com - talk to Bill
You'll get a little better price from Bill at ZFdoc I bet, but his schedule is sometimes limited, but he is very good at diagnosing clutch and tranny problems and very good at fixing them.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 534
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek AZ
It has happened a couple of times now... I'll be driving along, as I said, low rpm <2000, I'll give it a little gas and the rpms go up, noise goes up just like it should but the speed of the car is not increasing... As fast as it happens, it goes away. It is not consistent, and I cannot replicate it on command. Otherwise the car seems fine... the clutch travel is a bit high but it always has been. I'll try the 3rd gear test but I am pretty sure the car will stall out like you said...
Thanks for the ideas and reccs on a shop in the Phoenix area.
Thanks for the ideas and reccs on a shop in the Phoenix area.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Originally Posted by 383_BluByU
I think one of the members in the C5 sections owns a shot in tempe.. I think its called xtream corvette... ask one of the A.C.E memebers they'll know who im talking about
I just moved to San Jose over the summer, and I never personally dealt with either shop for repair work (although I do have EM headers), but you can bet that those 2 would be the first places I'd call if I were still living there - for *anything*.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by DSchaefe
It has happened a couple of times now... I'll be driving along, as I said, low rpm <2000, I'll give it a little gas and the rpms go up, noise goes up just like it should but the speed of the car is not increasing... As fast as it happens, it goes away. It is not consistent, and I cannot replicate it on command. Otherwise the car seems fine... the clutch travel is a bit high but it always has been. I'll try the 3rd gear test but I am pretty sure the car will stall out like you said...
Thanks for the ideas and reccs on a shop in the Phoenix area.
Thanks for the ideas and reccs on a shop in the Phoenix area.
Some oil is getting sprayed onto the friction disc... chaos insues, for just a moment or 2.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 534
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek AZ
It is reassuring to know it might not be the clutch... though probably almost as expensive to fix I am sure... Should I park the car until I get this fixed? Is this the same labor as the clutch (ie: pull the trans...etc.)?
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
well, if it is the rear main, then it will be pricy, $400.00 labour.
If it's just the hydraulics, then you can DIY that, really.
If it was my car, I would jack it up and check it. Make sure there is no sign of an oil leak, oil dripping from the observation panel or fluid covering the clutch slave.
Do the basics first.
If it's just the hydraulics, then you can DIY that, really.
If it was my car, I would jack it up and check it. Make sure there is no sign of an oil leak, oil dripping from the observation panel or fluid covering the clutch slave.
Do the basics first.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 534
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek AZ
Well I took your advice and went to Exotic... because they were recommended and they are closer to my house... the diagnosis is that the main transmission shaft seal is shot and is spewing oil into the bellhousing and clutch plate. The good news is that the trans repair is covered by my ext warranty but the clutch plate is saturated with oil and ruined. Since it is a 'consumable' they won't cover it, I get to pay for it. We're replacing all of the other clutch parts while we are in there. He also noticed a leak in the weep hole on my water pump... surprise, surprise so we're doing that as well, and it is covered. It didn't leak enough to wreck the opti.
Thanks to all for the feedback and recommendations.
Thanks to all for the feedback and recommendations.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by DSchaefe
Well I took your advice and went to Exotic... because they were recommended and they are closer to my house... the diagnosis is that the main transmission shaft seal is shot and is spewing oil into the bellhousing and clutch plate. The good news is that the trans repair is covered by my ext warranty but the clutch plate is saturated with oil and ruined. Since it is a 'consumable' they won't cover it, I get to pay for it. We're replacing all of the other clutch parts while we are in there. He also noticed a leak in the weep hole on my water pump... surprise, surprise so we're doing that as well, and it is covered. It didn't leak enough to wreck the opti.
Thanks to all for the feedback and recommendations.
Thanks to all for the feedback and recommendations.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 534
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek AZ
Thanks for the kind words about my car... No I don't have a lift, it only has 19k easy, sunny weather miles on it. I have owned it since 1998. I was thinking of selling it but after all of this I think I am gonna keep it a while. Merle is adding headers, high-flow cats and o2 sims while it is all apart.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
You'll love the headers. Does it already have a cat-back system on it?
Your LT4 and my LT4 can never be in the same area because my car would get pissed at how dirty it was compared to yours!!
Your LT4 and my LT4 can never be in the same area because my car would get pissed at how dirty it was compared to yours!!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 196
From: Southern CA
Just curious as to what extended warr. you have that is covering this. I have the RYAN on mine and they fight every warranty item. They totally suck.
My gas tank got pinhole leaks from the inside and they said the weather caused it (San Diego??) Weather INSIDE a gas tank?
Lucky my dealer(who sold me the RYAN) covered it
My gas tank got pinhole leaks from the inside and they said the weather caused it (San Diego??) Weather INSIDE a gas tank?
Lucky my dealer(who sold me the RYAN) covered it
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 534
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek AZ
The ext warranty is from Western Diversified. I bought it through a dealer in IL. A 7/75 warranty, the car was almost 2 yrs old when I bought the warranty, and I still have a little over a year to go...
