So I narrowed down my issue with my 03 6mt to the clutch and before I start let me put a few things out there to streamline my help.

1. I will be taking it in to get it checked out in the future, just wondering if anyone could give me some inside info or thoughts on what i posted and where to possibly find the best stock oem (no track or racing)
2. I have searched other threads and none seemed to fit my exact issue
3. I am the furtherest thing from a mechanic, but I do not mind gettinga little dirty if I can do it (if a rookie can change it out).


Well, a month or so a go, I noticed that my car would run into high rpm when it was cold and during the intial shifts. For instance, I would start my car in the morning, pull out the garage and start on my way, shift into 2nd and BAM, high rpms then the car seems to catch up with the rev. It will do this with all the gears and as the car gets warmer, it seems to go away. My first thought was that my mt fluid was low so I jacked the car up, drained it and put new oil it. The car started working like new again and I was like man, that was close because I thought the oil level was low when I was draining. Everything ws going just fine until last weekend, it came back. I made sure that there were no leaks, etc...I think i narrowed it down to the clutch as I did my research, but hopefully you guys know better or heard of something similar. My clutch pedal is not sticking, not hard to shift and the clutch fluid level is fine. Does any of this sound familar to anyone?
Any help would be appreciated. Also, if someone agrees or determines it is the cluth, how much should I pay for a new one, OEM, no extra's, no best, just the same kind or equalivent that's in there and where to get one at online. Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place....

 

It does sound like a slipping clutch, from your description of the problem.

 

Brikkmin, sounds like the clutch facing is worn out. You put it in gear and the
rpms jump which tells me the facing isn't making 100% contact. Don't go to
the stealership for this kinda issue, (unless it's under warranty) find a reliable independent transmission shop and ask their opinion. There's nothing wrong with the OEM clutch, I put 125K miles on my last one....G/L
*(note) If you have the clutch replaced don't forget to replace the throwout bearing....not doing so is like taking a shower and putting your old drawers on....
Gary

 

Gary, cool name.
My name is Gary as well.....

So you think a transmission shop will give me a better deal? how much does these jobs usually run to get a good idea. Also, any suggestions where to get them from or how much they should cost?

 

Well, just did the online chat with a certified ASE guy from AAMCO. He pretty much confirmed my notion. I have provided the chat communication for anyone who many have a similar problem in the future.

Please wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with 'Phillip'
Phillip: Hi, this is Phillip. What information can I get for you today?
Gary: Hey phillip, need some help
Gary: I think I may have a clutch problem, wondering if you can confirm or at least give me your best thought
Phillip: Shot.
Phillip: Er, Shoot.
Gary: Ok, a few months ago, I noticed that when its cold (because of winter) my rpms shoot up when I shift gears and give it some gas
Gary: eventually, the car would catch up to the rpms and it will do it throughout all the gears
Gary: at first, I thought it was the manual transmission low on oil or going bad
Gary: so, I changed the oil according to manufacture specs
Gary: and when I did that, it seemed like the car was fine for a couple of weeks
Gary: then, it went back to doing the high rpms again
Phillip: Based on your description, it sounds like the clutch is slipping.
Gary: thanks
Gary: another question
Gary: why not the transmission in your orginal thought?
Phillip: It is a manual transmission, correct?
Gary: yes
Phillip: A manual transmission is just mechanical gears.
Phillip: Nothing to slip.
Phillip: Gear-on--gear action.
Gary: so the high revs while in gear concludes that its a clutch issue
Gary: what i do not understand is, its all based on how much gas I give it. If i'm being nice on the gas, it appears not to have a problem, but if I give it a little than usual gas, it seems to slip
Phillip: Think of it as the reverse of the brakes. The harder you step on the brakes, the quicker you stop. If you're going really fast and want to stop quickly, you do need to step on the brakes hard. With me so far?
Gary: yes
Phillip: If you step on the gas hard, your engine makes more power. That much I'm sure you're aware of, right/
Gary: yes
Phillip: Still there?
Gary: yes
Phillip: Okay.
Phillip: So, just like you're brakes holding back the car when you're going really fast, your clutch needs to hold really strong when you're giving it a lot of gas.
Gary: okay
Phillip: Brakes help you stop, clutch makes you go.
Gary: ok, i'm there now, lol
Phillip: Slow speed, light brakes.
Phillip: High speed, heavy brakes.
Gary: now, is this just a wear type of thing, or could I have being doing something wrong to bring on this?
Phillip: If you were only a 85 lb. granny and could hardly squash an ant, you could take a long time stopping a car from 65MPH.
Phillip: How many miles on are the car?
Gary: 65,000
Phillip: Some wear is expected, but most clutches last well beyond 100,000 miles.
Phillip: There are cars and trucks on the road that have never needed a new clutch. It really depends on how you drive.
Phillip: If you're more aggressive, it will wear faster, just like your brakes.
Gary: ok
Gary: Can you give an estimate on how much that would cost to fix, providing this was the issue?
Gary: in your experience
Phillip: Sorry, I have no access to pricing here. This is more for technical advice. Your local AAMCO center is better equipped to do that.
Gary: ok
Gary: thanks for all your help, you confirmed my thoughts, just hope it does not cost me an arm and leg
Gary: oh, one more thing
Gary: because this is intermittent, is this something they will be able to diagnose even if its not doing it at the time?
Phillip: Probably. Most likely.
Gary: ok
Gary: well, I'm abotu to take it up there, thanks for your help
Gary: not likely something i can do I'm sure, lol
Phillip: You're welcome.
Gary: thanks again

 

Got a quote of 1250, parts and labor, does that sound about right anyone?

 

Compared to dealer pricing, that sounds ok.

 

Not at all..

 

Where'd you get it done for under $1K? I figured when it's time to change mine, it's gonna cost at least $600-700 for the clutch/flywheel combo (that isn't an ebay special), and another $400-500 for labor....

 

This is what is throwing me off. Went to cottman's yesterday, road tested, they guy said I needed a new clutch. The guy rang everything up and said it would be 1250 assuming they will not have to replace the flywheel, 65 if it can be machined. Called infiniti and talked to the service lady (I believe the manager from past experiences), she quoted me 577 for labor and screwed up the parts thing by saying if the pressure plate needs to be replaced, I was looking at an addition 1700. When she got me to parts, they said that the clutch was only 300 and the fly wheel would be 1100 if I needed. I'm confused as hell. You guys say, I can get the clutch and flywheel for 600 700...something is screwy-ooie here. I guess the question is, can I get the clutch and flywheel OEM, for under 800 bucks? The cottman said the samething about the flywheel but he didn't give me an exact number....

 

I saw some threads on this forum with clutch/flywheel combos for about $700. Search and you might still find them. They're not OEM though.

Now regarding your quotes, $1250 for clutch alone is alot! My dealer, 2 years ago, quoted me $1800 to replace my clutch AND flywheel, and I thought that was quite high. And an additional $1700 to replace the pressure plate?? If I'm not mistaken, the pressure plate IS part of the clutch assembly, so you shouldn't have to pay extra for that. Sounds like they're ripping you off, or don't know what they're talking about...