Ok I am going to explain this as best I can. Last night while doing some very spirited driving very high rpm's in 1st-4th gear on South Korea's open roads, I started smelling something burning so I parked the car and checked under the hood the clutch cylinder (the black cylinder on the driver side firewall) smelled bad. I got back in the car to start it and pushed the pedal in started it and put the car in gear and released the clutch and it stayed all the way to the floor I pulled it out with my foot and the car went no-where with it in gear still. Tried pumping the clutch a couple of times till it started coming out on it's own. Put the car back in gear and it made an awful screeching and clanking sound from up front but still the car would not move. Got it towed the next morning to a local garage but they have little experience with foreign cars. So they are at a loss and so am I. They did start it and I heard the clutch or transmission with a little bit of a clanking sound like something wanted to grind but didn't, but it did move on it's own but that was intermittent. If anyone has any idea on what I broke please help me out. I have a Spec Stage 2 clutch. I am a mechaninc but I am a helicopter mechanic haven't worked on cars yet but I wanted to learn and ran across this 98 coupe with 55,000 for $18,000 about 4 months ago and knew that it was modded with headers, CAI, Corsa pace exhaust and high flow cats already installed. It was worth $23,000 at the time but I knew it was a steal. Like I said I am in South Korea and have yet to purchase a set of service manuals looks like I need to ASAP.

 

Well, for starters I'd say the slave cylinder is probably toast. Then I'd want to know if the throwout bearing survived. Since you probably do not have a remote bleeder on the clutch you will need to get under the car, reach up on top of the torque tube to get at the ridiculously positioned OEM bleeder valve and purge the burned clutch fluid out and replace with Motril or similar - not DOT 3 or 4 fluid. Try that first to see if things improve.

My best guess however...new clutch, slave, master, throwout bearing. About $3,000 here in the Houston area for a sound setup.

 

I've lived in Korea; where did you find open roads?

Second; You could have a broken slave which means pulling the rear and trans together to get to. You can get the service manuals for $100 give or take from Helms, but it really requires more than that.

This problem isn't an easy one.

Korean mechanics won't be able to fix it.

I suggest you look at Canjun Dudes website

http://www.cajundude.com/c5techhome.htm

for starters.....there will be lots of opinions as replies....only listen to those who have worked this issue themselves.

If you tackle this replace the slave, clutch, add a remote bleeder and do the 'drill mod'.

 

Thanks guys for the advice; will start ordering parts today for it. Also will be ordering the manuals. Vjjack where did you reside at over here? I live in Pyeongtaek and the back roads clear out pretty good after hours. Also had a typo the car is a '99 coupe.

 

Whatever clutch you decide on, make sure it has been reliably balanced before it is shipped to you.

 

Yeah already had a replacement Spec Stage 2 clutch on hand.

 

I have lived at Humpheys and for a year in Wonju. About 2000-01. (I was enlisted, 21 years; now a DA civilian at Ft. Huachuca, AZ)

Those roads may clear up but watch out for pedestrians, cows, pigs, and mopeds. Korea is interesting and driving a c5, there, would be fun. Hope you get it going. Working on the drive line wouldn't be easy without a decent garage, jack stands, and hydraulic jacks....plus it's pretty darned humid in Korea in July. Let us know if you need something specific.

 

Try bleeding the clutch first. It will save you LOTs of time and money!!



BC

 

HMMM, I have been here for almost 8yrs in the Apache aviation community. Lived at Humphreys first, then in Camp Page up the street from Eagle and Long and now back at the Hump.

Yeah the shop has it torn down right now and they are looking into what parts I need. I will probably just order a seperate set of parts just to have on hand.

 

Well got it torn down and burned the friction disc on the clutch, trashed the pilot bearing and the slave cylinder. Pretty much roasted everything mentioned. There were burn discolorations on everything, and to top it off the transmision is leaking. But man that chick and those legs were looking good just wasn't worth the total cost. I am now a believer because they are our quickest downfall.