When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This afternoon driving home from the grocery store i depressed the clutch pedal to shift from third to fourth and it didn't come back up. I coasted to a stop out of traffic and when I opened the door I saw, and smelled, smoke coming from just ahead of the rear wheel. It smelled like brake fluid. I had it towed to the dealer - the tow operator was very careful with the car, no scrapes or scuffs. He even used a strap rather than a J-hook to pull it onto the flatbed. They rolled it directly into the service bay so it won't sit outside. I may know something tomorrow. I suspect a broken line from the clutch master cylinder or a bad slave cylinder. Less then 1,300 miles and no track time.
The problem was a loose clutch slave cylinder bleed screw. Probably not tightened sufficiently after bleeding at the factory. After one more check by the tech to make sure it stays tight I can pick it up this afternoon.
Wow hope it’s nothing major. can’t say I ever had the problem with my M7. Warranty should sort this out though burnt clutch smell you never really forget.
Wow hope it’s nothing major. can’t say I ever had the problem with my M7. Warranty should sort this out though burnt clutch smell you never really forget.
Thanks. I've smelled burnt clutch and this wasn't that smell. It was more like brake fluid, which is why I suspect something to do with the hydraulics.
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Sorry to read this. I'm sure it will be taken care of and your Vette will be good as the day you got it. I'll be following this thread closely as I just took delivery of a 2019 MN7 base coupe a little over a week ago. 560 miles and all is good....so far.
Sorry to read this. I'm sure it will be taken care of and your Vette will be good as the day you got it. I'll be following this thread closely as I just took delivery of a 2019 MN7 base coupe a little over a week ago. 560 miles and all is good....so far.
Thanks for the kind words. I'm sure it will be fine, just annoying that my clutch went on strike the day the Corvette plant went back to work (my next door neighbor's niece works there, that's how I know)
I agree with you, sounds like a leaking/broken line causing you to loose the hydraulics, if that's it shouldn't be difficult to fix.
Good your tow truck driver had a strap to greatly reduce risk of 'tow' damage.
I carry one in my truck cubby just in case. Good insurance for about $50.
The clutch fluid used in our cars is DOT 4 brake fluid, so if you smelled brake fluid, and the 3rd pedal was sticking, it's probably your suspicion of the clutch master cylinder or connections. Did you by chance open the cap to the clutch reservoir to see if there was any fluid in there? Hope you get it resolved quickly.
I agree with you, sounds like a leaking/broken line causing you to loose the hydraulics, if that's it shouldn't be difficult to fix.
Good your tow truck driver had a strap to greatly reduce risk of 'tow' damage.
I carry one in my truck cubby just in case. Good insurance for about $50.
The clutch fluid used in our cars is DOT 4 brake fluid, so if you smelled brake fluid, and the 3rd pedal was sticking, it's probably your suspicion of the clutch master cylinder or connections. Did you by chance open the cap to the clutch reservoir to see if there was any fluid in there? Hope you get it resolved quickly.
I didn't think to check the fluid level. I was too busy calling my neighbor to go next door to tell my wife to turn on her cell phone (land line down due to a storm), the insurance company to set up the tow, my wife, the dealer, my wife, the neighbor to come rescue me and the groceries, my wife, etc.
Sorry to read this. I'm sure it will be taken care of and your Vette will be good as the day you got it. I'll be following this thread closely as I just took delivery of a 2019 MN7 base coupe a little over a week ago. 560 miles and all is good....so far.
Me too...have had mine for 2 months now...1,500 kms (about 900 miles) and so far, so good. Good luck!
Sorry to hear about the problem. Hope the dealer fixes the car quickly and you can get back out on the road.
Thanks. Not worried, just annoyed. Luckily, I was able to stop on a street with no traffic, the tow operator was careful, the dealer's service bay was still open, and I have a great neighbor who met me at the car, followed me to the dealer, and drove me home with the groceries.
Very unusual condition. It will be interesting to see the final diagnosis and remedy for your sports car. 50 years ago I had a very similar situation with my Austin Healey 3000. Was coming up on an intersection and depressed the clutch pedal and it did not disengage. Surprise! I slammed on the brakes and the car jerked to a stop. My pedal didn't stick to the floor as it had a spring return on it. But there was no clutch effect with the pedal. My slave cylinder puked its piston seal. Easy enough repair. But really a rather dangerous situation in traffic. I feel your pain and haven't forgot it all these years.
Very unusual condition. It will be interesting to see the final diagnosis and remedy for your sports car. 50 years ago I had a very similar situation with my Austin Healey 3000. Was coming up on an intersection and depressed the clutch pedal and it did not disengage. Surprise! I slammed on the brakes and the car jerked to a stop. My pedal didn't stick to the floor as it had a spring return on it. But there was no clutch effect with the pedal. My slave cylinder puked its piston seal. Easy enough repair. But really a rather dangerous situation in traffic. I feel your pain and haven't forgot it all these years.
I hope you are on the road again quickly.
David
Thanks. Our Corvair would occasionally break a clutch cable with a similar result. My wife and I learned to shift without a clutch.
Hi again Mike: I was surfing the General Discussions and came upon this thread. It might be related. And it might be you have already seen it. In the interest of being helpful, here is a link.
Hi again Mike: I was surfing the General Discussions and came upon this thread. It might be related. And it might be you have already seen it. In the interest of being helpful, here is a link.
I think I remember that one. I don't think my problem is related since there was no intermittent operation, just the pedal going to the floor and never returning, except when i pulled it up by hand. But thanks for the link.
The problem was a loose clutch slave cylinder bleed screw. Probably not tightened sufficiently after bleeding at the factory. After one more check by the tech to make sure it stays tight I can pick it up this afternoon.
I didn't think to check the fluid level. I was too busy calling my neighbor to go next door to tell my wife to turn on her cell phone (land line down due to a storm), the insurance company to set up the tow, my wife, the dealer, my wife, the neighbor to come rescue me and the groceries, my wife, etc.
I see a source of your issues...you got "the wife" involved. Just kidding. Its always nice to have plenty of resources. Hope you are back on the road soon! Good Luck!
I see a source of your issues...you got "the wife" involved. Just kidding. Its always nice to have plenty of resources. Hope you are back on the road soon! Good Luck!
Nah, she's a gearhead like me. She just can't drive anymore due to leg problems. She really misses driving, especially a manual transmission.
As seen above, it looks like the tech found the problem and it''' be back on the road soon.
2019 Stingray - first problem
Just kidding. Its always nice to have plenty of resources. Hope you are back on the road soon! Good Luck!
