2013 Clutch Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 199
Likes: 35
From: USA
2013 Clutch Question
Hi All,
Just purchased a new left over 2013 Base Coupe with 249 miles on it. Drove it home (2 miles) and didn't like the feel of the clutch. It seemed to grab hard about mid-pedal with little or no way to ease out from a dead stop. This being my 5th Corvette but 1st C6, I wasn't so sure that was normal. No other Vette (all C2s or C3s) I owned behaved like that. After searching the forum here, I found a number of references about debris in the clutch master cylinder causing problems. So I looked at the clutch master cylinder in my new car and found this.
Obviously, someone had a great time doing burn-outs (please confirm). I brought it back to the dealer, but they just made an appointment for Monday to look at it. They didn't say a word about it being abnormal. So I followed the Ranger method of cleaning it out myself so I could drive it over the weekend. Now the fluid is nice and clear and it seems to have improved the clutch release some (maybe just wishful thinking). But the clutch still wants to grab hard at mid-pedal. I'm wondering if this is normal or perhaps the clutch is glazed. And if glazed, would putting a few miles on it improve it any? Your thoughts?
Just purchased a new left over 2013 Base Coupe with 249 miles on it. Drove it home (2 miles) and didn't like the feel of the clutch. It seemed to grab hard about mid-pedal with little or no way to ease out from a dead stop. This being my 5th Corvette but 1st C6, I wasn't so sure that was normal. No other Vette (all C2s or C3s) I owned behaved like that. After searching the forum here, I found a number of references about debris in the clutch master cylinder causing problems. So I looked at the clutch master cylinder in my new car and found this.
Obviously, someone had a great time doing burn-outs (please confirm). I brought it back to the dealer, but they just made an appointment for Monday to look at it. They didn't say a word about it being abnormal. So I followed the Ranger method of cleaning it out myself so I could drive it over the weekend. Now the fluid is nice and clear and it seems to have improved the clutch release some (maybe just wishful thinking). But the clutch still wants to grab hard at mid-pedal. I'm wondering if this is normal or perhaps the clutch is glazed. And if glazed, would putting a few miles on it improve it any? Your thoughts?
Last edited by rmm82; Oct 14, 2013 at 10:23 AM. Reason: typo
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,798
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
It gets like that. More than likely nobody did any burn outs. Most people don't have any issues due to the fluid being that dark. I went 6 years on my 97 without touching the clutch fluid and never had an issue with the clutch. Car saw a lot of track time and autocross courses. My 03Z had a broken pressure plate which required replacing about half way through its 6 years with me but that was the only time the clutch fluid was changed. That car saw twice the track mileage and autocrosses. Have had my 08Z for 4 years now with lots of track time and no clutch issues. Changed the fluid 2 years ago when the engine blew on the track and I had a remote bleeder installed while the engine was out of the car. Using the remote bleeder I bled the clutch this last March. Fluid is pretty black right now but I haven't had any clutch issues.
Bill
Bill
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
My fluid looked like that when I brought my 06 home brand new and the clutch was hard to modulate. It was like an on-off switch with no in-between. I did the Ranger method several times over the next few months until the fluid remained clear, and as the clutch got some miles on it with the clean fluid it became much easier to control. It's been good ever since (now 7 years) but I have learned to check that fluid frequently and usually change it out 3 0r 4 times a year now as it turns color.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
Burnouts have nothing to do with the clutch fluid color. The tires may go up in smoke but the brake fluid won't change color because the tires are spinning.
Most likely somebody left the master cylinder cover off or loose for long enough to contaminate the fluid.
Most likely somebody left the master cylinder cover off or loose for long enough to contaminate the fluid.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15,996
Likes: 821
Hi All,
Just purchased a new left over 2013 Base Coupe with 149 miles on it. Drove it home (2 miles) and didn't like the feel of the clutch. It seemed to grab hard about mid-pedal with little or no way to ease out from a dead stop. This being my 5th Corvette but 1st C6, I wasn't so sure that was normal. No other Vette (all C2s or C3s) I owned behaved like that. After searching the forum here, I found a number of references about debris in the clutch master cylinder causing problems. So I looked at the clutch master cylinder in my new car and found this.
Obviously, someone had a great time doing burn-outs (please confirm). I brought it back to the dealer, but they just made an appointment for Monday to look at it. They didn't say a word about it being abnormal. So I followed the Ranger method of cleaning it out myself so I could drive it over the weekend. Now the fluid is nice and clear and it seems to have improved the clutch release some (maybe just wishful thinking). But the clutch still wants to grab hard at mid-pedal. I'm wondering if this is normal or perhaps the clutch is glazed. And if glazed, would putting a few miles on it improve it any? Your thoughts?
Just purchased a new left over 2013 Base Coupe with 149 miles on it. Drove it home (2 miles) and didn't like the feel of the clutch. It seemed to grab hard about mid-pedal with little or no way to ease out from a dead stop. This being my 5th Corvette but 1st C6, I wasn't so sure that was normal. No other Vette (all C2s or C3s) I owned behaved like that. After searching the forum here, I found a number of references about debris in the clutch master cylinder causing problems. So I looked at the clutch master cylinder in my new car and found this.
Obviously, someone had a great time doing burn-outs (please confirm). I brought it back to the dealer, but they just made an appointment for Monday to look at it. They didn't say a word about it being abnormal. So I followed the Ranger method of cleaning it out myself so I could drive it over the weekend. Now the fluid is nice and clear and it seems to have improved the clutch release some (maybe just wishful thinking). But the clutch still wants to grab hard at mid-pedal. I'm wondering if this is normal or perhaps the clutch is glazed. And if glazed, would putting a few miles on it improve it any? Your thoughts?
Congrats 2013 Corvette! I hope that, aside from your master cylinder concerns, you are enjoying the vehicle. Let us know how your service visit goes and let us know if additional assistance is needed.
William R. (assisting Kelly & Marissa)
Chevrolet Customer Care
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 199
Likes: 35
From: USA
Thanks all for your input. While I'm not a clutch expert by any means, given what I've read (here on the forum and elsewhere) it seems that blackness we see in the clutch master cylinder is directly related to clutch particles getting past one or more seals. View this video and let me know what you think.
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
PS. Even though my wife and I only had the car a couple days (and drove it maybe 150 miles in total), we love the car. The price was right which made it affordable for us (we saw the 2014s in Monterey but they are way out of our price range). It certainly is a serious improvement over the C2's and C3's I'm used to. If I had any criticism at all, it's that the exhaust doesn't sound like the old ones. But I'll work on that.
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
PS. Even though my wife and I only had the car a couple days (and drove it maybe 150 miles in total), we love the car. The price was right which made it affordable for us (we saw the 2014s in Monterey but they are way out of our price range). It certainly is a serious improvement over the C2's and C3's I'm used to. If I had any criticism at all, it's that the exhaust doesn't sound like the old ones. But I'll work on that.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
While this is absolutely true, it is not the cause of his black fluid with only 151 miles on the car. The fluid is new and has just picked up some black from the rubber components of the system. Ranger it and keep an eye on it...you may need to Ranger it again in a few weeks...if you drive it a few hundred miles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
Search on here for the Ranger Method and you'll find pictures and instructions.
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
From: Powser Springs GA
I had the same issue with my newly purchased 2009. Mine looked a little worse. I used the Ranger method, AND switched the clutch pedal switch to a C5 spring. NEW CAR ! It is now a pleasure to drive and shift. Night and Day difference!
See my thread on this:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...like-this.html
See my thread on this:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...like-this.html
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...al-issues.html
Ranger's thread. The only thing I do differently is that I drive the car instead of pumping the clutch in the garage. For the garage queens, it's better to pump it as the car will never be driven enough to mix the new fluid in.
Ranger's thread. The only thing I do differently is that I drive the car instead of pumping the clutch in the garage. For the garage queens, it's better to pump it as the car will never be driven enough to mix the new fluid in.