Can cold affect the clutch?

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Dec 31, 2005 | 02:51 PM

Shamson5.7

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From: Denver

Can cold affect the clutch?

Last night it was quite chilly out and it felt like my car had no power to the ground. Its a lot warmer today and it doesnt have the same affect as last night. Do cold temperatures make that big of a differance?

Dec 31, 2005 | 06:42 PM

tippmann243

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From: st louis

temperature can make the hydraulic fluid thick, making for slow clutch engagement

Dec 31, 2005 | 08:17 PM

Ferocity02

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My clutch seems like it's harder to slip when its cold. As the flywheel and PP warm up its much easier to drive.

Dec 31, 2005 | 08:23 PM

NHRAMAN

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From: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*

Also if it's really cold,the block of ice on the floorboards will make it very difficult to depress the clutch pedal fully.

....HAPPY NEW YEAR ----ALMOST!!!

Dec 31, 2005 | 08:57 PM

Shamson5.7

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From: Denver

Its wierd because even after a small drive when its cold out it still has the same effect. I jumped back in the car today (it was 65ish) and the SOB took off like crazy! i had no problems with it at all and very little noise compaired to when its cold.

Dec 31, 2005 | 09:01 PM

NHRAMAN

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From: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*

Seriously though,when its cold the fluid is thicker...when the car is warmed up the pedal effort is slightly less......

Jan 2, 2006 | 04:42 AM

brad8266

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From: Watertown, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHRAMAN

Also if it's really cold,the block of ice on the floorboards will make it very difficult to depress the clutch pedal fully.

....HAPPY NEW YEAR ----ALMOST!!!

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Jan 3, 2006 | 06:27 PM

angel71rs

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From: TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by tippmann243

temperature can make the hydraulic fluid thick, making for slow clutch engagement

Slow disengagement too. 1st time I drove my 98 (wintertime), I ground gears going from 1st to 2nd.

It had been a while since I had driven a manual and thought I'd lost my skills. But once it was warmed up I was able to row gears no problem. So when winter comes around, I'm very deliberate about waiting a beat from when I push in the pedal to when I stir the stick.

Another quirk I noticed on these cars: it's tough sometimes sticking it in 1st gear. I bought my car w/47k on it, so thought maybe synchros were shot. Until I read this thread:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...1&forum_id=101

T56 quirk???? So I adopted what one poster suggested, I kind of pull it toward 2nd, then it easily goes into 1st. Kind of sad that a modern tranny like a T56 shifts like a truck tranny, but the Muncie in my 57 shifts like butter.