Do I need to disable the clutch delay valve?
02-23-2012, 12:49 PM
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ft. Payne, AL
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do I need to disable the clutch delay valve?
The take-up on my clutch is pretty touchy, I never feel I can smoothly let it out for take-offs, and I've driven manual tranny cars for nearly 50 years. I still kill the motor sometimes when starting off. I seem to recall that this car ('06 Cayman S) has the clutch delay valve, is that so? If it does, what is involved in removing it? I took them out of my M3's and it was very simple, just take it out, throw it away and re-connect the two pieces of the hydraulic line.
02-23-2012, 03:04 PM
#2
Race Director
The take-up on my clutch is pretty touchy, I never feel I can smoothly let it out for take-offs, and I've driven manual tranny cars for nearly 50 years. I still kill the motor sometimes when starting off. I seem to recall that this car ('06 Cayman S) has the clutch delay valve, is that so? If it does, what is involved in removing it? I took them out of my M3's and it was very simple, just take it out, throw it away and re-connect the two pieces of the hydraulic line.
What I do know is that if the clutch fluid is reasonably fresh and the clutch (and brake) hydraulic system is properly bled, the clutch action/take up is smooth provided there are no underlying mechanical issues, like possibly a bad dual mass flywheel. These generally make themselves known with a persistent grabby take off. Sometimes clunking noises come from the clutch area of car.
A grabby take off action with no noises can be a worn out clutch. In one case a tech told me about a car that came in with a grabby clutch and upon teardown the tech found the clutch worn to the rivets and these had worn a circular depression in the face of the flywheel. The clutch was not slipping and the flywheel was salvageable (it was out for resurfacing when I viewed the car).
To help myself drive the car better, at least work the clutch better, what I found I needed to do -- with my 02 Boxster -- was to move the seat back just a bit further than I was used to, so that I was sitting just a bit further back from the wheel (and the pedals) than I was used to.
This caused among other things my legs to be more extended, straighter at the knee. As a result, this put my left leg in a better position to better control the clutch and take offs became much smoother, no drama (no stalling the engine) and clutch life has been outstanding (over 250K miles and counting...).
I must admit that once in a great while though I still stall the engine but this happens when I'm tired, in a hurry, distracted, and upset that my dog ate my homework, in any and all combinations. I know a lot of reasons, all true. Well, save for the dog one. I don't own a dog.
If you can check yes to all of the above and the clutch action still isn't to your liking, then if there is a clutch delay valve of some kind removing it might be the answer.
Sincerely,
Macster.
