OEM+

I've done a ton of reading on this forum since I picked up my car and I remember reading that if your clutch is stiff after the car sits for a couple of days it means a part is on it's way out.

I just searched the forum and couldn't find anything that I remember reading, so I have a couple questions:

What part is it that needs to be replaced?

How much does this run for a dealer to do generally? I realize that hourly rates vary from place to place, but a ball park?

Is this something that could fail catastrophically, or is it something where one day when I go to the start the car the clutch won't disengage, or is this just something that people fix because it isn't "suppose to happen"?

My clutch is doing this now...my dealer was clever, every time we went to look at it they pulled it up to the building so the salesman started the car, thus I didn't find out about it. Once I push it all the way down it feels fine for the rest of the day. I don't know how many days it takes to feel this way, but if I drive it to work it isn't stiff in the afternoon. We drive the car kind of randomly, so it's hard to tell.

Thanks. You guys have been very helpful since I've picked up the car.

rmc1148

The clutch accumulator look for leaks under hood around power steering reservoir. You should have a good indy/dealer take a look not took expensive but a pain to diy.

OEM+

Is this something that can fail catastrophically?

rmc1148

Also can consider gt2 change you can search/google this.

rmc1148

As far as I know this is not something that can fail catastrophically but I wouldn't want the leaks and hard pedal etc and it could lead to other issues with clutch wear etc.

OEM+

I'm going to get it looked at for sure, I was just wondering if I should let it sit until then.

I just went out to the car and checked the clutch reservoir underneath the plastic next to the battery and it was filled to the max line and everything was dry around it, and there was nothing on the ground, so I'll drive it, but will get it looked at/fixed for sure.

rmc1148

Most people change slave cylinder also when changing accumulator but a good shop can tell you what's best and I would get it looked at sooner then later.

OEM+

I'm calling the dealer tomorrow.

It's just odd that once you push down on it the first time it's fine for the rest of the day. Either way, I'm calling the dealer tomorrow.

rmc1148

The clutch accumulator loses pressure when it sits for a period of time when bad that's why the pedal gets hard to push and the part needs replaced.

PK911

My Indy replaced my accumulator 6 weeks ago or so for $250 (parts and labor). I would expect around $400 if done by a dealer.

My slave cylinder passed away this week end. I expect a quote of approximately $1000 from my Indy (the part is $500 and 5h of labor). Probably around $1300-$1400 if done by a dealer.

rmc1148

Pk911 curious why you choose not to replace both at the same time as it does seem they often fail together or close to it?

PK911

Well, there was no sign of the slave cylinder failing when I had the accumulator changed (no overflow from the front reservoir, no leak, pentosin dipstick showing appropriate hydraulic fluid level) so I decided not to change it. History shows that this was not a prudent decision...

My slave cylinder actually failed without warning (other than an abnormal clutch pedal feel when switching gears at high rpms - above 4000 rpms - and full load). I just noticed a significant leak in my garage on Sunday morning and that was it.

rmc1148

pk911 Oh well that the way it goes sometimes lol I'm sure I will get to experience the failure at some point and will replace both dyi=but not looking forward to it.

buzztt

find a good indy, dealer will charge you a ton more money and they generally just do things by the book rather than basing a decision on experience and whats best for you

OEM+

My wife drove it to work today and she said the clutch felt fine when she started the car. It sat for about 10 hours last night without it getting super stiff, so I guess that is something.