Sticking Clutch Issue

[MagRedVette]

1999 Coupe with 6-speed manual transmission. Approximately 44,600 miles. 35,000 miles when I purchased it.

The clutch on my car recently began sticking near the floor when moving slowly in reverse and 1st gear. The first incident occurred last week when I was picking it up from my local Chevy dealer after lube, oil & filter service and an air conditioning service. The dealer suggested that I have the clutch fluid flushed at a cost of $150. However, there is no guarantee that this will resolve the problem.

Not wanting to spend money needlessly, I decided to take my car to the local AAMCO for their free check. They put my car up on a lift and then inspected the underside. Without doing anything else, they told me that the slave cylinder was "bypassing". They somewhat explained what this meant and then told me it would cost $1,100 plus tax to repair. AAMCO also suggested that I replace the clutch on my car at the same time because they would already have done the labor to get to it and it would be more cost-effective than to pay the labor twice. Total repair estimate - $1,500 plus tax.

AAMCO then highly recommended that I do not drive my Corvette until the repairs are made. They said that if the clutch sticks while I am in traffic that I may hit someone in the rear. I am not too happy about this.

After my visit to AAMCO, I went back to my local Chevy dealer and told them what AAMCO said. The Service Advisor again suggested the flush. He showed me a service bulletin regarding a clutch sticking issue for '97 - '02 Corvettes. It mentions the slave cylinder and possible clutch issues, but I did not see anything about how doing a flush could help.

I have some questions:

1. Does anyone out there think I should try flushing the clutch fluid? Or would that be a waste of my money?

2. What exactly does "the slave cylinder is bypassing" mean?

3. Since I bought my Corvette, it has not been abused. Should I go ahead and change the clutch? On one hand, it could potentially save me labor costs if the clutch goes out.

4. Can I drive it? When the clutch sticks, it has always been down near the floor. How would that cause me to hit the car in front of me?

5. Any suggestions?

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,

#1, a sticking clutch pedal at LOW RPM, NOT HIGH RPM, is usually a result of 3 things. LOW CLUTCH FLUID LEVEL or a leaking slave cylinder or leaking MASTER cylinder.

#2, if it sticks down and then POPS up when you dont expect it, you may hit someone, but usually when the clutch is down, its down.

#3, the slave cylinder cannot bypass because its an open hydraulic circuit. The only way that would happen is if it was LEAKING.

#4, Im betting your fluid level is low, due to a leak.

Open your clutch master cylinder and top off the level to the line INSIDE the fluid cylinder and then cap it.

See how you make out.

Allthebest, c4c5

[MagRedVette]

Thank you for your reply. Both AAMCO & my local Chevy dealer checked the fluid It is not low. Do you think flushing the fluid will have any effect?

MagRedVette

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

Well, then, you may have a master cylinder that might be leaking/bypassing.

Truthfully, there is something missing.

I do not believe that a flush will fix it.

Allthebest, c4c5