GS_DAN

^^^ similar question. I spent over $500 to replace my master cyliner when it failed on me. Anything i could do to have GM reimburse me for the parts and labor?

Whoop

If you had it replaced at a Chevy dealer I don't see why not.

GS_DAN

Replaced it at a Corvette specialist in my area. hope i'm not out of luck

R&L's C6

Just received my notice in the mail today. Nice to know we all have a known, weak piece of $h!t master cylinder that could give out at the most inopportune time but GM won't stand behind it till it fails.

loudvolvo

received a letter in the mail today for my '05 will be contacting the dealer sometime next week.

Dano523

Your in for a rude awakening if you think the Master cylinder is the only thing that the value engineers came up in regards to product obsolescence on the car to sell more parts in the long run.

R&L's C6

There's a big difference between product obsolescence and faulty design.

atljar

I just got the letter today. So the question becomes....

I had a slave cylinder fail completely, leaking fluid all over the clutch and ruining it. Pedal was on the floor and would not return upwards. Car was in gear and running during failure and wanted to continue at speed. I had to yank the shifter out of gear to stop it from moving.

I actually used the starter to move the car around as the clutch was engaged to get the car onto a tow truck.


So my failure was the slave and it saturated/killed the clutch. This is the exact condition noted in the letter. "If clutch system fails, clutch pedal may not return... possible to start the vehicle with transmission in gear"

However, the master wasnt the cause of my issue. Are the reimbursing only for master cylinder replacements, or for any cause of the symptoms in their letter?

mracer

You won't know till you contact your GM dealer? It'll prove interesting how receptive GM will be to these retroactive claims?
Mike

blitzebill

have had my '12 GS for over 3 years, never did the Ranger method and never saw a reason to. dealer says all ok under the hood.

got the notice today in the mail. will file it for now.

mracer

Have you taken the top off your clutch master reservoir lately, usually the fluid is black?
Mike

blitzebill

yes, it is black. Corvette tech at the dealer said it was normal, and I've had no problems whatsoever. Why mess with something that isn't broken?

According to the bulletin from GM, messing with it and putting different brands of clutch fluid in it may cause malfunction.

I'm not going to take that risk.

Boomer111

Living on borrowed time. Just use Dot 4 and the fluid should be golden otherwise the sludge builds up and the problem rears its head.

I sunction my reservoir out maybe every couple of thousands of miles. It takes just one time and the fluid is always golden. This is maybe every 3-4 months.

Dealer saying that it is normal......is wrong. maybe normal happening but no good for the system in the Corvette as it is designed.

Read up on the "Ranger" method.

mracer

As I understand it (from what I've read here on the forum) the seal down at the slave end is in a harsh environment, lots of road and dust debris, and this is how/where the fluid gets contaminated. The dirt ends up getting sucked into the reservoir, hence why it's so black looking. What your seeing is all that dirt suspended in the fluid, basically liquid sandpaper, very hard on the seals! Only easy way to remove and change out the fluid is the Ranger method. I really don't feel as if it's the type of fluid that's being used, it's just the fact that it's so contaminated!
ymmv
Mike

weathermaker

The 1st.time I replaced the clutch fluid in the reservoir there was a film of stuff floating on top. The fluid was black as coal. After about a year and several changes, the fluid is as clear as in the bottle. It does not turn dark as frequently as it did. How can having clean approved fluid cause damage?

yellowzron

I got my letter today. Clutch fluid was always dirty and I always did the ranger method. I also picked up a clutch pedal return spring so it won't stick to the floor. I am gonna go to the dealer and see what they say. If I can get it fixed for free why not. I'll keep you guys posted.

purvistechie

Randy, where are you going to bring yours in? I have both the headlight and clutch recall now to get done. I don't trust ANYONE.

R&L's C6

Yep, me too.

I don't know for sure. I'm thinking either Village or Suburban. I'm going to wait till next spring, I also want someone to check out a rattle in the drive train before my 5/100 warranty is up.

purvistechie

Wish we had "the" place to go around here for corvette work.

Kevin_NYC

FYI

If you set up an account in GM Owners Center it shows up in Warranty Tracker Tab - Special Coverage 14717

https://my.gm.com

I had my '12 C6 Hyrdaulic Clutch Actuater(# 24237634) changed under 3yrs warranty, after it leaked reservoir empty. At first they thought it was slave cylinder leaking on clutch causing chatter. Took 1.5 days to drop trans/drivline support assy R&R.

Wondering if this was main issue...

---------------------

Clutch Activation System – 2005-2013 Chevrolet Corvette
SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT


4261587

#14717: Special Coverage Adjustment – Clutch Activation System – (Sep 4, 2015)

Subject: 14717 – Special Coverage Adjustment – Clutch Activation System
Models: 2005-2013 Chevrolet Corvette
Equipped with Manual Transmission (RPO MM6, MZ6, MH3 or ME2)
Condition

On some 2005-2013 model year Chevrolet Corvette vehicles equipped with a manual transmission (RPO MM6, MZ6, MH3 or ME2), the clutch system may fail if unapproved fluids are used to service the system or if a high-pressure pulse occurs during a clutch self-adjustment event.


If the clutch system fails, the clutch pedal may not return if depressed. If the clutch pedal does not return, it may be possible to start the vehicle when the transmission is in any gear. This could result in unexpected vehicle movement when the engine is started.

Special Coverage Adjustment

This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.

Dealers are to replace the clutch master cylinder with a revised unit that is more robust against pressure pulses, and that includes a new fluid reservoir with improved labeling for use of proper fluid. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after September 3, 2015, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to September 3, 2015, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.



Vehicles Involved

All involved vehicles are identified by Vehicle Identification Number on the Applicable Warranties section in GM Global Warranty Management system. Dealership service personnel should always check this site to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be involved regardless of description or option content.

Parts Information

Parts required to complete this special coverage are to be obtained from General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales (GMCCA).

Part Number Description Quantity/
Vehicle
19331708 Clutch Master Cylinder 1
19331709 Clutch Master Cylinder 1
88958860 DOT 4 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (US) 2
88901244 DOT 4 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (CA) 2

----------------------
Letter

September 2015

Dear General Motors Customer:

This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN: __________________________________

As the owner of a 2005-2013 model year Chevrolet Corvette equipped with a manual transmission, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us.

This letter is intended to make you aware that the clutch system on your vehicle may fail if unapproved fluids are used to service the system or if a high-pressure pulse occurs during a clutch self-adjustment event. If the clutch system fails, the clutch pedal may not return if depressed. If the clutch pedal does not return, it may be possible to start the vehicle when the transmission is in any gear. This could result in unexpected vehicle movement when the engine is started.

Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.

What We Have Done: General Motors is providing owners with additional protection for the condition described above. If this condition occurs on your 2005-2013 model year Chevrolet Corvette within 10 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge. Diagnosis or repair for conditions other than the condition described above is not covered under this special coverage program.

What You Should Do: If you believe that your vehicle has the condition described above, repairs and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer. You may want to contact your GM dealer to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time that is convenient for you. This will also allow your dealer to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter with your other important glove box literature for future reference.



Reimbursement: If you have paid for repairs for the condition described in this letter, please complete the enclosed reimbursement form and present it to your dealer with all required documents. Working with your dealer will expedite your request, however, if this is not convenient, you may mail the completed reimbursement form and all required documents to Reimbursement Department, PO Box 33170, Detroit, MI 48232-5170. The completed form and required documents must be presented to your dealer or received by the Reimbursement Department by September 30, 2016, unless state law specifies a longer reimbursement period.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, just contact your dealer or the appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below.

Division Number Text Telephones (TTY)
Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020 1-800-833-2438
Guam 65-6267-1752
Puerto Rico – English 1-800-496-9992
Puerto Rico – Espaņol 1-800-496-9993
Virgin Islands 1-800-496-9994
We are sorry for any inconvenience you may experience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Terry M. Inch

Sr. Vice President

Global Connected Customer Experience

Enclosure

14717