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CLutch Pedal Issue, Please help.

Got in the car this morning and noticed that my clutch pedal is much softer for the first half of it's travel than it was before. Once it hits the

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Old 03-09-2016, 10:24 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Default CLutch Pedal Issue, Please help.

Got in the car this morning and noticed that my clutch pedal is much softer for the first half of it's travel than it was before. Once it hits the engagement point, it is the normal stiffness. I do have the lighter helper spring installed, so it is very noticeable. Any ideas what could be causing this? I haven't had my clutch fluid checked in a while could that be it? If it's low do I just replace it, is there a special type of fluid I need?
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Old 03-09-2016, 10:30 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Default CLutch Pedal Issue, Please help.

Could be low fluid, could be a dying csc or master. If the fluid is very dark, the csc is on its way out. Maybe try bleeding the clutch with DOT 4 fluid and see if the pedal feel improves.
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Old 03-09-2016, 11:03 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Got in the car this morning and noticed that my clutch pedal is much softer for the first half of it's travel than it was before. Once it hits the engagement point, it is the normal stiffness. I do have the lighter helper spring installed, so it is very noticeable. Any ideas what could be causing this? I haven't had my clutch fluid checked in a while could that be it? If it's low do I just replace it, is there a special type of fluid I need?

DOT 3 brake fluid is ok, just saying but they do sell special fluid for the clutch if you're interested. DOT4 is also ok. Yes just refill the reservoir if it's low. If it's full and you have that problem then yeah csc might be going out which is normal for our cars. I'd suggest buying the csc elimination kit from Z1 if you get it fixed. Believe me you'll want that elimination kit unless you want fireplace your csc every couple of months or years hahah.


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Old 03-09-2016, 11:06 AM   #4 (permalink)
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DOT 3 brake fluid is ok, just saying but they do sell special fluid for the clutch if you're interested. DOT4 is also ok. Yes just refill the reservoir if it's low. If it's full and you have that problem then yeah csc might be going out which is normal for our cars. I'd suggest buying the csc elimination kit from Z1 if you get it fixed. Believe me you'll want that elimination kit unless you want fireplace your csc every couple of months or years hahah.


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The HD csc works very well too as another option to the elimination kit. And as hot as the car runs, DOT 3 fluid is going to boil too easily. DOT 4 is a better choice.
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Old 03-09-2016, 11:06 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Oh boy... Just checked it and it is not low, but completey empty. It hasn't been checked in a while, since my last oil change. How bad is this, has damage been done and how do I refill it? Also, why would it be empty?
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Old 03-09-2016, 11:08 AM   #6 (permalink)
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It would be empty because the seals in the CSC are toasted and it leaked all the fluid inside the bellhousing. Time for the upgrade. Might be time for a new clutch. They don't like having brake fluid soak into the friction material.
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Old 03-09-2016, 11:17 AM   #7 (permalink)
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SHould I replace the clutch fluid for now with Dot 3? I can't get to a dealership until tomorrow and I need to drive around a bit today. How much do I add, and is there a preocess to filling it or do I just fill to Max line? Thanks a ton, I am new to this kind of issue.
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Old 03-09-2016, 11:19 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Fill to max, and don't be shocked if your near future involves waiting for a tow truck. Might want to give joe at ZSpeed a call and start figuring out how much this is going to hurt your wallet.
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Old 03-09-2016, 11:26 AM   #9 (permalink)
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I have an extended bumper to bumper warranty, will this be covered do you think?
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Old 03-09-2016, 11:31 AM   #10 (permalink)
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It's possible. Most people here seem to get screwed on this and end up paying out of pocket. And if it gets fixed under warranty, they'll most likely put back in another oem slave which will fail again. Ask if it's covered, and also ask if they will install the aftermarket csc. You'll pay for the part, but it doesn't fail.
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Old 03-09-2016, 01:55 PM   #11 (permalink)
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It would be empty because the seals in the CSC are toasted and it leaked all the fluid inside the bellhousing. Time for the upgrade. Might be time for a new clutch. They don't like having brake fluid soak into the friction material.

You don't think you're telling him to go with worst case scenario first? I mean it's common but I'm not sure he has this issue quiet yet though yeah it does seem to be going in that direction...


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Old 03-09-2016, 01:58 PM   #12 (permalink)
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SHould I replace the clutch fluid for now with Dot 3? I can't get to a dealership until tomorrow and I need to drive around a bit today. How much do I add, and is there a preocess to filling it or do I just fill to Max line? Thanks a ton, I am new to this kind of issue.

-Recommended DOT4 fluid
-DOT3 is OK
-Fill to max though purging might be necessary.
-while you have time get some money together to obtain either of the upgraded kits (HD CSC [good] or Elimination kit [best]) and find out if Nissan is ok with it. Chuck really is giving you some good advice too if you'd like some feed back haha


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Old 03-09-2016, 02:00 PM   #13 (permalink)
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I have an extended bumper to bumper warranty, will this be covered do you think?

Also read some of this maybe huge help. And please don't forget to sign the petition we have a sticky thread about this issue to submit to Nissan in hope that they'll recall and fix it for good.

Sticky: (Official) 370Z Clutch Pressure (CSC) Failures
Sticky: (Official) 370Z Clutch Pressure (CSC) Failures



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Old 03-09-2016, 02:03 PM   #14 (permalink)
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You don't think you're telling him to go with worst case scenario first? I mean it's common but I'm not sure he has this issue quiet yet though yeah it does seem to be going in that direction...


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Then where did the fluid go? It's a closed system. If it's empty, it's because the seals in the csc are failing or have failed.
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Old 03-09-2016, 02:12 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Then where did the fluid go? It's a closed system. If it's empty, it's because the seals in the csc are failing or have failed.

Well the real question is, how long has it been before it was topped off? Not so much checked. Because the mechanic could have said the fluid is A ok when it really isn't. Maybe it's just the time the fluid has been used up? Haha but like I said what you're saying is true and accurate let's just not scare him before we have a full grasp of what he's actually got X) feel me brotha?

Next question though is, how often do you have to top off the fluid before you notice the pedal go limp again? Is it every couple of mins or days? Then yes your csc is bad, if it's every couple of months maybe weeks then I think you're ok.


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