alright so i have a 2k4 IP G coupe around 33k km. a week ago it was as amazing as it's always been but a few days ago i've noticed when i'm in 5th and 6th gears i couldn't give it much gas because my rpms would jump and then come back down without my car actually speeding up. I did a little search on this and apparently it's called clutch slippage. I go to drive my car today and it was BRUTAL, like i would start off in first gear and start takin the clutch out but i wouldn't feel like the car is moving, so i'd take the clutch fully out and try to give her some gas and my rpms would just fly, so i have to push VERY slightly on the gas pedal so that the power i sent would actually go to my wheels. This type of thing happens through all the gears but i've noticed it's not as bad when i'm in the 4-5 rpm range.

I'm pissed off because i've been taking it so easy on my car. I baby it, i never launch quickly, i'm always concious of the clutch, and i never ride the clutch. Sure i try to keep around the 2.5-4 rpm range when i'm drivin but it's a sports car that's what it's made for. I just don't understand why this is happening. I'm gonna take my G to the dealer tmrw and see what the hell is going on. I think it's clutch slippage do you guys agree? and also what can i do about it, like should i get the dealer to fix it and insist that the warrenty cover it? would the warrenty cover it because this is a relatively expensive sports car and the clutch goin at 33k km is rediculous? Is there any other suggestions/helpful information that can possibly help me out?

P.S sry for the rough tone i'm just a little mad, thanks for any input

 

only 33k kms, and you're having clutch slip? Sounds like warranty to me.

if they try to give you crap about the clutch and deny warranty coverage, insist on a getting their denial response to your warranty service request on their dealership letterhead, with a signature and title (of the signee). Afterwards, call Infiniti/Nissan North America, file a claim with their customer service department. If they do not help, call your Attorney General's office (or whatever the equivalent is where you are) and file a complaint with them. If that doesn't get things fixed, all you have left is a lawyer or a decent mechanic.

This is all assuming you are not lying about the clutch usage. When they do a teardown on your tranny (if they do), they'll be able to see signs of abuse (glazed and burnt clutch). If you get them to do a teardown, insist on being on site when the clutch is taken out, and take pictures. Show pics to an independant and reliable mechanic (or better, a tranny repair/overhaul shop) if they point out places where they claim that damage due to abuse occured, and get a second opinion.

Finally, if they refuse to even look at the clutch/transmission, get everything replaced at your expense at an independent (and hopefully, well known) repair shop, and have them do a write up of the reason for part failure. If their write up states that it was a manufacturing failure, and that they'll vouch for it, you'll have a chance at getting compensated for the money you spent to correct what should have been a warranty repair. If they say it was damage due to abuse, just bend over and bite a pillow as you get the repair bill. Not that it's going to be all that much, but you might consider getting an aftermarket performance clutch/flywheel while they're in there, if possible.

whew.

that was long. sorry for that. I just figured I'd put everything I could think of in there since it seems like you have very experience with these things (ie, you found out recently that it is due to clutch slippage).

Good luck on this. If you drove it like you say, this should be a no brainer warranty job.

 

thanks jinubob that was extremely usefull, i called the dealer today and the first thing they said was "the clutch isn't covered under warrenty because it is considered a consumable item" and then i asked them what if it's a factory defect and they said i would be responsible until they could determine it was a factory default (ie. i would have to pay for the strip down and examination of the tranny, the quote was $650). i'm gonna call other dealers and a repair shop i know. i dunno we'll see, i'll keep you posted.

 

one more question. could this possibly be caused by bad/old transmission fluid?

 

No. Sorry.

 

thought so...

if i were to get a new clutch kit what should i get? i hear the jwt clutch + flywheel is a good one, what about the centerforce?

 

Clutches last anywhere from 5,000 to 150,000 miles depending on how you drive. I've put over 500,000 on manual transmissions and I've never had to replace a clutch. Maybe you're not using the clutch properly even though you think you are. Trying to "baby" the clutch means you are riding it. The longer your leg/foot is on the clutch, the more wear it is being subjected too. The only time you should be "slipping" the clutch is in first and reverse, there's no other way to avoid it in these gears. Furthermore, expecting the dealer to cover it under warranty is not Infiniti's responsibility. Now if you have a good relationship with a service manager and he can goodwill a clutch, then consider yourself lucky.

Good luck.

 

what about bad driving?

 

i said i baby the car, as for the clutch the only time my foot is on the clutch for more then an instant is like you said in reverse or from a dead stop. All the other gears it's pretty much clutch in clutch out, i also rpm match so that everything is smooth.

I'm no mechanic but i've read enough on manual transmission to know whats going on so i don't think i've been in any way rough on the transmission. Ever since i've gotten the car i've always been aware of the clutch and i usually take ever precaution to prevent wearing. Obviously i accelerate pretty quick, it's a g35 coupe afterall, but i only do such things when the clutch is fully disengaged, and according to my knowledge this shouldn't wear it down, is this true?

 

what about sh!tty transmission/clutch made my infiniti?
i drove my honda for 100k with heavy abuse and never had a problem with clutch or transmission (never even had to replace it). clutch going out at 30k is just ridiculous no matter how you put it. sure heavy abuse can cause this but normal driving with occasional "fun" shouldnt do that.
i only have less than 10k on my car.. so knocking on wood that it wont happen to me..altho im planning to get rid of my car before it gets to 30k anyways..so we'll c!

 

yea it's rediculous, g35s here in canada go for low 60g's, this shouldn't be happening. i called another dealer that i've worked with in the past and they said to bring it over there so they can run a road test to verify what i'm saying. hopefully they'll be sensible and replace the garbage clutch

 

do you guys think i need to get my entire clutch + flywheel setup replaced or is it just the clutch disc and the pressure plate? i ask this because the flywheel goes for $1000 on nissans site, so if i dont have to replace the flywheel that basically solves my cost problems.