Please help!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 330
Likes: 31
Please help!
2008 C6 manual transmission
I went out to the car, warmed it up, put it in gear and by the time I got to the end of my driveway the clutch pedal stayed on the floor. I walked back up my driveway to find a puddle of fluid. The pedal is dead. Goes to the floor and I have to physically pull it back up.
I ordered a new master cylinder. But I'm wondering how I'm going to bleed the system when there's zero clutch pressure to pump the system. I looked at a couple posts on bleeding but I'm confused. Amy help is appreciated.
I went out to the car, warmed it up, put it in gear and by the time I got to the end of my driveway the clutch pedal stayed on the floor. I walked back up my driveway to find a puddle of fluid. The pedal is dead. Goes to the floor and I have to physically pull it back up.
I ordered a new master cylinder. But I'm wondering how I'm going to bleed the system when there's zero clutch pressure to pump the system. I looked at a couple posts on bleeding but I'm confused. Amy help is appreciated.
Last edited by Alien c4; Jan 15, 2023 at 04:38 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 388
Likes: 164
From: Maryville, TN
Brake fluid (used for clutch as well) is pretty corrosive stuff. Would get it cleaned up underneath car / off driveway asap.
Secondly, sounds like something gave way in the hydraulic linkage system. See that section in this article:
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/13...-need-to-know/
If uncomfortable diagnosing / addressing, would have it towed to closest / trusted shop for repair.
Secondly, sounds like something gave way in the hydraulic linkage system. See that section in this article:
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/13...-need-to-know/
If uncomfortable diagnosing / addressing, would have it towed to closest / trusted shop for repair.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,912
Likes: 2,058
From: Cypress TX
It’s not the fluid. It’s the master cylinder. There’s a bulletin on it. I’ve had to replace the master cylinder on all three of my manual C6s.
Here’s the bulletin with the part numbers:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...74761-7690.pdf
Here’s the bulletin with the part numbers:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...74761-7690.pdf
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 5,277
From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
BTW, it will now start in gear so it can be driven to the dealer if one is so inclined. It can also be driven into the wall of the garage if one is not careful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 804
From: West coast CA
Figure out where the leak is. Is it coming from the master cylinder, the pressure line, the quick connect fitting, or the slave cylinder? The diagnosis will determine the repair.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,912
Likes: 2,058
From: Cypress TX
This is what the new GM one looks like (on my 2011 Grand Sport); black reservoir, Dot 4 on the cap:
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,350
Likes: 538
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
Figure out where the leak is. Is it coming from the master cylinder, the pressure line, the quick connect fitting, or the slave cylinder? The diagnosis will determine the repair.
If the leak is at the slave cylinder you have a major problem.
If the leak is at the quick disconnect fitting it depends on which side the leak is at, probably not good.
You should hope that the leak is at the master cylinder because this would be the easiest and cheapest repair.
It is well known that the early clutch master cylinder fails but this is the first time I have heard of leaking clutch fluid unless the slave cylinder failed. The usual master cylinder fail is that the piston seal in the master cylinder dislocates from the piston rod. In this case there is no leaking fluid.
The white master cylinder reservoir is the old one. The black reservoir is the updated one.
As far as bleeding the system, that is not needed. The new master cylinder comes with clutch fluid in the part. Any air bubbles in the line eventually float to the top into the reservoir. Although many here would prefer that Chevrolet did provide a fluid bleed feature. As an HPDE driver I am one of them.
Last edited by Keppler; Jan 15, 2023 at 10:53 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 388
Likes: 164
From: Maryville, TN
Brake fluid mention was = clean up the mess, not solution (read post 2 again for reference). Hydraulic system issue (master / slave and fitting all possibilities) identification / repair was mentioned as solution.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,912
Likes: 2,058
From: Cypress TX
This is a known issue with the stock GM master cylinder. If OP can pump it back up by hand (like I did dozens of times before getting the master cylinder replaced in my 2008 Z06 and then my 2010 ZR1 for the same issue), then it's not leaking. But, you're right in that a total hydraulic failure will slam the clutch to the floor also. Been there, done that.