Can't get into gear... - Page 2 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

WARP TEN · 07-06-2019

When I first got my '93 in 1994, on a Friday afternoon I took a business trip to Indiana from Chicago across the notorious I-80/94 interstate then down I-65. I started losing my clutch the same way, pedal catching progressively closer and closer to the floor, and it eventually got to the point that I was driving without a clutch. I really didn't want to drive back on the usually horrible Friday afternoon I-80/94 traffic without a properly working clutch, so just by luck I found a small rural Chevrolet dealer just before they closed at 4 PM. They fairly quickly diagnosed the problem as lack of clutch fluid (a slow leak). They fixed it quickly by refiling it for me, and didn't even charge me for it. They were so excited to see a ZR-1--they had never had one at their dealership--that they were happy to do the work for free. Got home safely, then a few days later got a new master and slave cylinder just to be sure. Never a problem after that in 70,000 miles of driving. --Bob

DRM500RUBYZR-1 · 07-06-2019

What they all said!
Don't kill the cap when you tighten it.
Try not to overfill, clutch fluid, like brake fluid, could be used as paint remover.
First time I wrestled with that cap, was sure I was going to break the reservoir off of the base, but I didn't, nor should you.
Rarely have I had to bleed it, just depends how low it becomes, but working the pedal 20-30 times always restored my pedal even when near dead to the floor.
Marty

jpalmer1717 · 07-07-2019

Well thank you everyone! This site is such an awesome resource.

Paul Workman · 07-07-2019

For future reference, you can join the Registry and access the Heart Of The Beast (on-line) magazine. #46 contains the complete procedure for replacing and bleeding the clutch hydraulics, should you ever need to. OR, PM me with your email address and I can send you a copy.

Welcome to the club!

07-06-2019	#11
WARP TEN Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lake Bluff, IL Posts: 2,095	Re: Can't get into gear... When I first got my '93 in 1994, on a Friday afternoon I took a business trip to Indiana from Chicago across the notorious I-80/94 interstate then down I-65. I started losing my clutch the same way, pedal catching progressively closer and closer to the floor, and it eventually got to the point that I was driving without a clutch. I really didn't want to drive back on the usually horrible Friday afternoon I-80/94 traffic without a properly working clutch, so just by luck I found a small rural Chevrolet dealer just before they closed at 4 PM. They fairly quickly diagnosed the problem as lack of clutch fluid (a slow leak). They fixed it quickly by refiling it for me, and didn't even charge me for it. They were so excited to see a ZR-1--they had never had one at their dealership--that they were happy to do the work for free. Got home safely, then a few days later got a new master and slave cylinder just to be sure. Never a problem after that in 70,000 miles of driving. --Bob __________________ 2016 Long Beach Red Z06 #10281 "POPS Z" 1995 Polo Green #409 "WARP TEN"--Haibeck 350/510 package, 4.10s, Hurst, Stock Exhaust with QTP Cutouts --Sold but still running strong 1993 Quasar Blue #161 "HIL KING" --Sold but still running strong, now with more than 120,000 miles 1967 Marlboro Maroon/Saddle Corvette Coupe 300 hp/4-spd --Sold a long time ago ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #95 NCM Lifetime Member Favorite Quote--Attributed to Mickey Thompson: "Too Much Horsepower is Almost Enough" Last edited by WARP TEN; 07-08-2019 at 11:51 AM.

07-06-2019	#12
DRM500RUBYZR-1 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mullica Hill, New Jersey Posts: 2,593	Re: Can't get into gear... What they all said! Don't kill the cap when you tighten it. Try not to overfill, clutch fluid, like brake fluid, could be used as paint remover. First time I wrestled with that cap, was sure I was going to break the reservoir off of the base, but I didn't, nor should you. Rarely have I had to bleed it, just depends how low it becomes, but working the pedal 20-30 times always restored my pedal even when near dead to the floor. Marty

07-07-2019	#13
jpalmer1717 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Asheville Posts: 62	Re: Can't get into gear... Well thank you everyone! This site is such an awesome resource.

07-07-2019	#14
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	Re: Can't get into gear... For future reference, you can join the Registry and access the Heart Of The Beast (on-line) magazine. #46 contains the complete procedure for replacing and bleeding the clutch hydraulics, should you ever need to. OR, PM me with your email address and I can send you a copy. Welcome to the club! __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry