Not sure if it's a clutch problem or not.
 

I bought an 07 Nismo "VQ37HR" used about a month ago. After driving it for a little while I've noticed what I think to be some signs the clutch might be going bad. Please bear with me because I'm not very experienced with cars.

First issue. I start the car, let it warm up, and the first time I start going into first there's always a small grinding noise for a split secord that is sometimes kind of loud. It only does it that once though, all other time I go from a stop it doesn't do it. But if I turn the car off and back on, then go, it will grind again when I start going from a stand still.

Second issue. When the clutch is all the way in, there is a very slight grinding feeling while moving the clutch pedal from all the way down to about halfway (only before engaging it).

Third issue. Sometimes I believe it may be slipping. it may be my driver error but I do believe it slips slightly every now and then.

And fourth issue. Now when I start going from a stop, going into first the pedal likes to shudder a little bit. Just very slightly but it feels like moves in and out by itself very slightly.

Do you guys think this is a bad clutch? Maybe a different issue? I'd hate to have a clutch problem in a car I just bought. As far as I know it's all stock, and there's only 39,000 miles on it. I read somewhere about a factory recall on the clutch or something for the 07 nismo. Any chance this could be an issue?

thank you guys a lot for the help!

clutch save cylinder recall are not limited to only nismos. they're for 07's in particular.

your description goes back and forth. could be the csc, could be the transmission itself, could be the throw out bearing etc altogether.

i say bring it to the dealer to have them look at it.

Sorry my phone won't let me edit the post, but I meant "VQ35HR". Sorry.

I asked the dealer if they could check out the clutch and see if they could find anything but they said there isn't much they could do. I was like you're kidding right?

maybe not much they can do without tearing it apart

I asked them that too. The guy didn't even seem like he wanted to give me a quote for it. Any idea how much it would cost to get them to inspect all that for me?

talk to a different dealer. it will cost you anywhere from $100-$250 just to inspect it.

I hope its only that much.

Diagnosing clutch versus transmission problem may be difficult but:

Clutch problems will reveal itself in ALL gears. On the other hand, transmission problems are generally isolated to one or more gears.

Take it to the dealer for an inspection.

"First issue. I start the car, let it warm up, and the first time I start going into first there's always a small grinding noise for a split secord that is sometimes kind of loud. It only does it that once though, all other time I go from a stop it doesn't do it. But if I turn the car off and back on, then go, it will grind again when I start going from a stand still."

That's the ABS system doing a self-test. It has nothing to do with the clutch or transmission. It's completely normal.


"Second issue. When the clutch is all the way in, there is a very slight grinding feeling while moving the clutch pedal from all the way down to about halfway (only before engaging it)."

You probably need to lubricate the pedal assembly. If that doesn't fix it, the master cylinder seals may be wearing out. Sometimes changing the fluid will help.

You might want to look at this thread. It links to some interesting and convincing info on clutch issues.

https://my350z.com/forum/maintenance...intenance.html

It didn't cost me a dime to replace my clutch on my 07 because it was recalled. They even paid for the rental car lol...

Shouldn't cost you anything either unless they already replaced the recalled clutch.

Winchman - Thanks for the info! Very helpful

Kupalo - I called Nissan to check on the recall and got a woman who didn't speak english. So I called and tried again and got another woman who didn't speak english. Anyways, it took abou 20 minutes for her to understand the VIN number I was giving her and all my info, and she looked it up and told me there was no open recall on my vehicle. So either the previous owner got it done already or she just didn't enter the info correctly. I'm going to try again tomorrow.

Even though you bought it used, shouldn't the tranny still be under factory warranty?

Yes, it is still under warrenty, plus an extended warrenty for another 5 years and 70k miles on top of the factory warrenty