Strange acceleration issue - any ideas before I go to the dealership?

dmhenderson · 02-17-2011, 08:44 PM

yeah I'll try to take a video. Thanks for all the help.

cheshirecat · 02-17-2011, 10:39 PM

Note to self: Don't go to Altered Atmosphere for tech help

dmhenderson · 02-25-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

Note to self: Don't go to Altered Atmosphere for tech help

Heh, Altered Atmosphere was shut down last year/maybe 2 years ago after a rash of customer complaints and rumors of other shady activity (I forget what the deal was exactly). Now they own a R&D project shop mostly focusing on GT-Rs but if I remember right, they had a pretty sick 370z project car working too.

Anyway, at least the dealership was true to its word and is replacing everything under warranty. Really nice to see a dealership stand by their cars like that. Rare these days. One of the reasons I'll continue to buy Z cars.

Here's one of their project cars. Just look at this thing:

YouTube - AAM 370Z Twin Turbo: 500RWHP/372RWTQ

Nitrouz · 02-17-2011, 11:26 PM

sounds like clutch slip to me...

And clutch slip usually starts on the higher gears and work its way down. This is due to increased load in the upper gears.

ProfessorDave · 02-18-2011, 09:07 AM

This sounds like the perfect time to upgrade to an aftermarket clutch! I want this one.

Vegitto-kun · 02-18-2011, 01:24 PM

soo wait if this is clutch slippage, why is this happening to my AT too.

Nitrouz · 02-18-2011, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegitto-kun

soo wait if this is clutch slippage, why is this happening to my AT too.

yours is not clutch slip. Yours just sounds like your ecu adjusting to your driving style.

UNKNOWN_370 · 02-25-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegitto-kun

soo wait if this is clutch slippage, why is this happening to my AT too.

This happened in both my cars. I think its just the ecu is slow at times so the clutches don't engage quick enough, then the ecu hits like a gear changing limp mode to protect the auto. It does feel like a slippping clutch. I've had my tranny checked and they tell me its normal in. Nissan cvvt sport transmissions to feel quirky at times.

Mt Tam I am · 02-18-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmhenderson

Hi,
I have a 2009 370z with 9000 miles on it. Recently, I noticed that in 5th/6th gear, I get "acceleration lag" if I stomp on the gas pedal. The engine revs for about a second (feels like the clutch isn't engaged) and then the car will then "catch" and jump forward. The clutch isn't stiff or clunky and this doesn't seem to happen in lower gears.

Ideas? I hesitate to take it to the local dealership because they're extremely shady and have needlessly cost me money in the past. Hoping this isn't a major fix?

I bought the car in August of 09 so it should still be under warranty, right?

Thanks folks.

dmhenderson, do you ride your clutch or have some reason to suppose you are too hard on the clutch? If so you may not have a warranted item. If not perhaps it is another conundrum that is warranted. Good luck.

Lug · 02-18-2011, 08:51 PM

regardless of throttle setup, it doesn't explain why a mechanical manual clutch would not engage when it's........well, engaged.

dmhenderson · 02-25-2011, 11:11 AM

Owe you guys a beer:

On the way to the airport on Tuesday I floored it in 6th to move into the fast-lane and the clutch utterly failed (car redlined, didn't re-engage until I let off the gas). Horrible burning clutch smell filled the car. Slippage in all gears even with steady pressure on the gas.

Dropped the car back at the dealership last night on the way home.

They're replacing the clutch and flywheel under warranty.
Booya.

To answer various questions
-I haven't been overly rough on the clutch but starting too fast in 1st has caused the clutch to slip since I bought the vehicle.

-I got into the habit of engine braking - especially in bad weather or if I had the need to stop really suddenly. Apparently this is hard on the clutch.

-Dealership can't explain what happened. They believe it has been faulty since day 1.

Anyway, tl;dr:
-My initial suspicion proved correct. If this happens to you, your clutch is about to go and you should take it to a shop immediately.

Lug · 02-25-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmhenderson

-I haven't been overly rough on the clutch but starting too fast in 1st has caused the clutch to slip since I bought the vehicle.

They believe it has been faulty since day 1.

The first proves the 2nd.

houkouonchi · 02-27-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmhenderson

-I got into the habit of engine braking - especially in bad weather or if I had the need to stop really suddenly. Apparently this is hard on the clutch.

I don't think this is true if 1) you use synchro rev match or 2) you are good at bliping the throttle when downshifting for engine breaking.

Some drivers will not give gas and down shift and let out the clutch slower than usual (which also usually slows the car down more/faster than blipping/synchro rev-match) but if you weren't doing it that way I wouldn't expect you to have more wear on your clutch if you down shift more often and just let the car de-accelerate rather than break.

I sometimes will rather downshift and have the rpm's up to 4500 or 5000 so the car lowers in speed quicker rather than ride my breaks.

houkouonchi · 02-28-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houkouonchi

I don't think this is true if 1) you use synchro rev match or 2) you are good at bliping the throttle when downshifting for engine breaking.

Some drivers will not give gas and down shift and let out the clutch slower than usual (which also usually slows the car down more/faster than blipping/synchro rev-match) but if you weren't doing it that way I wouldn't expect you to have more wear on your clutch if you down shift more often and just let the car de-accelerate rather than break.

I sometimes will rather downshift and have the rpm's up to 4500 or 5000 so the car lowers in speed quicker rather than ride my breaks.

And just to add my dad's 350z Had 120k miles on it when the engine finally died. He is still on his original clutch and he does engine breaking all the time (like I do) and they said his clutch was in good condition when they replaced the engine.

His engine; however, always burned oil and they commented on how dirty the oil was so likely his engine has always had a problem with it.

partsguy · 02-25-2011, 11:54 AM

You may need to have the hydraulic clutch bled. Maybe some air in the system (?)

02-17-2011, 11:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nitrouz Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 934 Drives: 40th Z, GTR, 420z-tt Rep Power: 16	sounds like clutch slip to me... And clutch slip usually starts on the higher gears and work its way down. This is due to increased load in the upper gears. __________________ 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary - Anastasia VENACI / AERO JACKET / HKS USA / MXP / NISMO / FALKEN / STILLEN / T1R / MR WORKS / CARBON SIGNAL / EVO-R / BLUE BATMOBILE

02-18-2011, 09:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 20	This sounds like the perfect time to upgrade to an aftermarket clutch! I want this one. __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

02-18-2011, 08:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 20	regardless of throttle setup, it doesn't explain why a mechanical manual clutch would not engage when it's........well, engaged. __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

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02-17-2011, 08:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 27	yeah I'll try to take a video. Thanks for all the help.

02-17-2011, 10:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 293	Note to self: Don't go to Altered Atmosphere for tech help

02-18-2011, 01:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Vegitto-kun A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,011 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 263	soo wait if this is clutch slippage, why is this happening to my AT too.

02-25-2011, 11:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 27	Owe you guys a beer: On the way to the airport on Tuesday I floored it in 6th to move into the fast-lane and the clutch utterly failed (car redlined, didn't re-engage until I let off the gas). Horrible burning clutch smell filled the car. Slippage in all gears even with steady pressure on the gas. Dropped the car back at the dealership last night on the way home. They're replacing the clutch and flywheel under warranty. Booya. To answer various questions -I haven't been overly rough on the clutch but starting too fast in 1st has caused the clutch to slip since I bought the vehicle. -I got into the habit of engine braking - especially in bad weather or if I had the need to stop really suddenly. Apparently this is hard on the clutch. -Dealership can't explain what happened. They believe it has been faulty since day 1. Anyway, tl;dr: -My initial suspicion proved correct. If this happens to you, your clutch is about to go and you should take it to a shop immediately.

02-25-2011, 11:54 AM	#15 (permalink)
partsguy Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: GTA Posts: 100 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 15	You may need to have the hydraulic clutch bled. Maybe some air in the system (?)