Slippling clutch...

[Jon W]

Got back from Moab to a car problem waiting in my garage...

My girlfriend has a '06 Chevy Cobalt w/ 4-cyl & 5-spd (it is a POS - I told her not to buy it and we've had lots of problems w/ it)...

The clutch appears to be having a problem where it slips while in gear - you get almost nothing when the clutch is engaged - car barely moves and you can smell burnt clutch when you're done. No gears grinding or funny transmission noises, shifts OK, and the pedal works smoothly.

My best guess is that the clutch pedal adjustment/linkage is messed up and it isn't engaging the clutch much/at all (hence the slippage/burnt smell)... Beverly's Mom, whose been driving the car for a year or so, has had this problem 2-3 times and it has always occurred very suddenly, but it has also cleared up on its own. This time it was bad enough she couldn't drive it and it doesn't appear to have cleared up.

Car has 25 miles left on its power train warranty, but the clutch (and replacement labor) isn't covered. I'm planning to have it towed to a dealer to be looked at -- if it is just the linkage they should cover that.

What do you guys think?

JW

[johnsxj]

Is it a hydraulic clutch or cable?

[Jon W]

Oct 13, 2009 18:44:33 GMT -5 johnsxj said:

Is it a hydraulic clutch or cable?

From what I can tell by searching online all Cobalts use a hydraulic clutch.

Unfortunately I've also found a few forums where a number of people report having the clutch fail early, and in some cases several times on these cars.

In the past when the clutch went bad on cars I've driven the problem was usually that it was rough to start (slip/grab)... This feels like there is no linkage between the pressure plate and flywheel - just barely touching when the clutch is engaged.

JW

[ZAEDOCK]

If the hydraulics are not working, then there is a leak. If there is no leak, then it's probably the clutch disk. Look for fluid under the driver's front carpet area too.

Given the history of premature brake pad wear with GMs (ask me how I know), I wouldn't be surprised the if the disk was bad.

[mexgrizzly]

It sounds like a worn out clutch now. The part about it acting up and then going away sounds like something may have contributed to the clutch wearing out prematurely. Like something was catching and not letting it engage completely (I assume this is the parts that would be covered under warranty). If you happen to have a repair order with a complaint that the clutch was acting up you might be able to get the clutch replacement included (based on the assumption that something catching caused the clutch to prematurely wear). My dad had the dealer pay for a clutch based on this scenario on a VW. If you don't have a previous complaint it will be hard to prove that is wasn't worn by bad driving habits, not saying it was driven bad just that it is hard to prove it wasn't. If they won't cover it, have it done at an independent shop.

-Andy

[Jon W]

Ughhh....

Dealership says they want $1320 to replace the clutch (parts + labor). I'm not convinced we want to spend that much $ for another crappy OE GM clutch. Was thinking of getting a high performance clutch if the stock ones are such crap...

Napa says a clutch kit (throw-out bearing, pressure plate, etc...) is $650! A "stage 1" kit w/ carbon-kevlar is $800!

Online I can see entire clutch kits for sale for the Cobalt for >$400...Don't know if they're junk though. I saw one from Centerforce, which I think is a decent brand, for ~$400.

I sneaked a peak at the procedure to replace the clutch in a Haynes manual at a local auto parts store and, while I think I can do the work, it would be a real PITA... Have to support the engine from above and drop the trans-axle out the bottom.

Tomorrow I'm going to call some local shops and see what they say.

JW

[Carl McFly]

Jon that suxxxxxxxxxx.......... I've been a Chevy freak since I was a kid but times have changed and Chevy hasn't. That's why I put my wife and daughter in Santa Fe's and in a collective 7 years, I've replaced wiper blades. And changed the oil. And oh yeah drilled out and replaced 2 rusted bolts on an otherwise pristine 5 year old exhaust system. My son rolls in a Civic and that hasn't even needed wipers!

That's BS that a 3 year old car needs a clutch. It's the lack of quality that had me shopping for imports. That and an unbeatable Hyundai warranty. Hope you find a better price for that work

[Jon W]

I had to tow the Cobalt to another shop which I deal with and have confidence in. They ended up doing the clutch. Saved a few bucks over the dealer though... What a PITA!

JW