I just bought a 04 350z from the auction. When the car is on it is very hard to get in gear(pretty much all of them) and it kind of smells like clutch too. I tried searching bout this but nothing that was exactly the same syptoms. Could it be the slave cylinder, need new clutch or synchros? I am new to nissan's any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

What do you mean VERY hard? 350z transmissions are known to be a bit notchy. If it kind of smells like "clutch" your probably riding the clutch. Get a 2nd opinion from a dealership or a shop. Is there any 350z shops around your area?

 

I have an 04' too and i thought i was smelling clutch too but its not, I just ignore the smell now...Is yours like a light burning smell?

 

Well only way to get it in gear is i have to force it in. And as for the clutch i didn't even drive it. I was just warming it up and it smelled like clutch. I dont know if theres any 350z shops near me or not or nissan in general.

When your clutch is going out is it hard to put into gear? Or is that a sign that the synchro are going out? Maybe slave cylinder?

 

Anyone??!?!?!

 

when its in gear with the clutch pushed it , does it creap , how fast does the clutch engage ? If they cars not running, is it easy to get in gear?

Is it only first with this problem ?? Try selecting 4th first, then put it into first?

 

The clutch and the way it drives feels completely normal. Other than forcing into gear. When the car is off its very easy to get into gear. I've tried to put it into 2nd b4 putting into 1st but I had to force it into second then it slides a little easier into first. Oh yea and when the car is on it always smells like burnt clutch even thought i don't drive it. just while its idling.

 

sounds like your clutch has oil spilled into it maybe? (have heard people having that issue a couple times, with other cars) as for the gear shifting...where is your temp gauge? I have an 04 that if the temp is cold it shifts like junk. Let the car warm up (one radio song) and then try. Also could try shifting at different engine rpms

 

check the tranny fluid

 

Bleed your cluch master and slave , see what happens from there.

 

The first thing you should have done was checked and/or changed all the fluids. If I just got the car from auction, I personally would elect to change out the oil, clutch fluid, tranny fluid and diff fluid.

By your post I'm assuming that you haven't serviced the car since you got it.

Take some of the money you saved at the auction and give the car a good once-over. Take it to a mechanic to service it if you have to. You have no clue how the previous owner treated the car.

 

I've checked the fluids. They look fine to me. My boss had his mechanic check out the car he said that it needs a clutch and a tune up. So i will be changing out all the fluids and the the clutch.

But from what i've told you guys does this sound like it could be the clutch? Has anyone had a clutch going out and it was hard to get in gear?

 

Perhaps if you had fluid/pressure issues where the clutch would not properly disengage as a result of a bad master/slave cylinder, air in the line or bad fluid.

I personally haven't heard of a clutch that's simply worn causing the issues you're describing. I'm sure it won't hurt, however, to change it out.

 

sounds like a smart thing to do...you got to start somewhere with your trouble shooting and its just a excuse to upgrade...

 

Yea i never heard of anyone with a worn clutch having issues like i am having. Im just scared to put money into a new clutch if thats not the problem especially when money is tight. The car doesnt have any pressure problems so far.

What do you guys think of an exedy organic clutch with stock pressure plate and flywheel? Anyone with this setup? Im trying to save money for now. Or would it be better to pay more for an exedy OEM replacement. Let me know what do you guys think. exedy Organic clutch disc is $45 and the exedy OEM replacement kit is $223.

Thanks for all the help so far guys, i really appreciate it.

 

yah im experiencing hard time getting into scond first and third sometime grinds reverse is a little fight too no sign of fluid leaking clutch seems like got some life its a JWT clutch and flywheel installed six years ago also changed tranny fluid still doin it shifts fine if I rev it up

AS for the burning smell I read somewhere that's a sign of your master cylinder going try that see if it fixs your engagement issue too let me know I may do the same