Clutch cylinder(s) failed AND I abused the clutch on a few launches...
 

I've had an issue with my clutch pedal sticking to the floor upon "spirited" driving for some time now and I think I've reached the point of no return on the stock clutch. I can't even get the fluid to drain from the nipple. The dealer says Nissan won't cover it, which I expected, so I'm now in the market for new hydraulics (master and the zSpeed CSC,) clutch and flywheel.

I'm considering getting the Southbend Stage 4 clutch + flywheel in anticipation of eventually going for a turbo kit within a 12 month time frame. But, I'm wondering if I should just get a more relaxed clutch until the turbo job is done. Also, I'm fishing for a deal if there's one to be had =)

And why won't Nissan cover it?

If a clutch part failed and you're still within the 36k warranty, Nissan should cover it. Go to another dealer and tell them your clutch doesn't work. I don't believe the clutch assembly is covered within the 60k powertrain warranty, but I may be wrong.

There's a difference between the clutch itself being worn out from spirited driving and the CSC failing. Go back to another dealer and have them warranty it, you should not be paying for it unless you really want to upgrade.

I'm not positive it, the CSC, did fail - since the pedal eventually comes back to life.

The fluid is full of what looks like clutch material to me. Also, it definitely boiled.

I agree Nissan probably should warranty it but from what I've read on the interwebs they're looking for reasons to decline CSC related claims.

Ouch. Hopefully, you can find a dealer that will look out for you and cover it under warranty. Good Luck.

miles? CSC is only covered under 3yrs/36,000 mile warranty... clutch plate is 12mo/12,000 mile... pressure plate is covered 5yrs/60,000 miles

34,500 miles =). My original line of thinking (and I'm no mechanic, as you can probably tell) made me argue with the service manager that if the CSC wasn't allowing the clutch to engage fully and promptly then it would be responsible for the extra friction + wear/tear on subsequent dependent parts like the pressure plate and all of it should be covered under warranty as a result.

There response was Looks like you drive this car pretty hard, you're already on your second set of tires... We have to take the tranny apart to inspect, which I realize HAS to be done, and it's going to cost $500 and we've already spoken with Nissan and they're not going to cover this. Also, we've diagnosed this as a worn out clutch - nothing more, you have no leaks.

Now, I realize I could argue with them that I have no EXTERNAL leaks, but again I'm not a mechanic and not that confident when it comes to car system arguments. Also, if it is covered under warranty I'm just going to get the same shitty CSC that keeps failing in the first place.

You need to play more dumb... just take it in for pedal sticks to the floor... or gears grind when shifting... if they ask about different tires... the answer is nails anytime the transmission is pulled off engine it needs CSC and pressure plate replaced... CSC fails from the bellos boot has holes to allow air to escape when clutch is pressed... and then clutch material gets in those little holes... the pressure plate has self adjusting fulcrum to keep the pedal feel the same during the life of the clutch and then you get a hard pedal if you reuse the pressure plate... take it to a different dealer and play dumb... never say "the forum says this" at the dealer, it dosent help at all...

heres how it works. you take the car in and they pull off the tranny. if your clutch looks worn out then they say you need a new clutch and csc becasue the csc is soposed to be replaced when ever you get a new clutch. they will only cover a new csc if your clutch doesnt look worn out. meaning it failed before it was time for a new clutch....

just to take the tranny off and find out is $400. they cover the $400 if its under warranty.

i got a new csc replaced under warranty since my clutch looked fine at 24k miles. i havnt abused it though. (ie. i havnt even launched the car from a dead stop.)

It sounds like these cars do the same things F-bodies and 'vettes do.

Is there an EASY way to change clutch fluid?

On the 'vettes, you take a turkey-baster and pull the fluid from the reservoir, and then replace it. It cycles through. You do this every time you get gas or so, and you will never have crapped up clutch fluid causing hydraulic failure. The clutch dust gets into the transmission as it is on the input shaft of the transmission following hard launches/shifts, and when the T/O bearing slides over it, a little is taken into the fluid. At least, that is how it happens on the 'vette. I am not sure about the 370Z, but it's highly suspicious after reading some posts in this forum.

I had my CSC changed no problem under warrantee, I believe they have a known history of failures, as I have been told they are the same unit as a 350, which had dramas with CSC also.