Maxima Gurus,
Please see the detailed problem listed below. The clutch pedal
pressure varies during the day.

--------------------------------
97 Nissan Maxima SE, 5 speed, 184416 miles presently
(no mods done on the car, one owner, bought new at Buckeye Nissan June
1997)


05/24/2008, 175 K miles
Symptom: Could not shift the gears
Solution: Mechanic replaced the Clutch slave cylinder
Cost: $220 (parts and labor)


06/03/2008, 176 K miles
Symptom: RPMs would increase but car would not go forward
Solution: Mechanic replaced the clutch, pressure plate and throwout
bearing
Cost: $1005 (parts and labor)


11/17/2008, 184332 miles
Symptom: Clutch pedal falls to the floor,
Solution: Mechanic replaced Clutch Master Cylinder, bled the system
Cost: $230 (parts and labor)


After all these repairs, the clutch pedal pressure is not constant.
In the morning, when I get ready to go to work, the pedal offers very
little resistance and as I drive around, the pedal pressure increases
and becomes stiff. My work place is 15 miles South of my home. When
I start the car back at 5 pm, the pedal is soft and it becomes stiff
as I drive back home.

I have asked the Mechanic to check for leaks since this is indicative
of a hydraulic leak somewhere in the line. I took the car back to him
on Dec 1st and he thought the lines between Master/Slave had moisture
in them.

12/01/2008, 184400 miles
Symptom: Unstable clutch pedal pressure (varies)
Solution: Mechanic replaced the lines between Master and Slave
cylinder and bled the system
Cost: Has not charged me yet


The clutch pedal pressure still varies as I drive in spite of all
these repairs. He insists there are no leaks anywhere. The clutch
hydraulic system has been bled twice.

All repairs above were done by the same mechanic. He says he cannot
pinpoint the problem. Is this a hydraulic problem or a clutch
problem?

On Sat, 6 Dec 2008 09:27:20 -0800 (PST), Anand R <anand14 (AT) gmail (DOT) com>
wrote:

Not a Maxima guru but I don't think that matters as all clutch systems
are basicaly the same.

Your problem as I see it now:
First thing in the morning (when engine is cold) - clutch functions
correctly.

As you drive and the engine heats up, the clutch becomes stiffer.

After work, when engine is cold the clutch is back to normal.

Appears to be temperature related.

Can't think how it would be a hydraulic problem, that system is
nothing more that two hydraulic cylinders connected by a pipe.

If the hydraulic system was leaking, air would unter the system and
the clutch pedal would be spongy (air in the system is compressing)
and the spongyness would improve when you pump the pedal.

Must be a clutch pressure plate, disc, or throwout bearing problem
which changes with temperature.

Clutch throwout bearing is binding on the gearbox shaft, or there is a
problem with the lever which acts on the throwout bearing.

Al Moodie.

On Dec 7, 10:25*am, Al Moodie <nos... (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote:
I had a similar sounding intermitant problem with an RX-7 and it was
the clutch master. Maybe you got a bad clutch master. I hate these
intermitant problems. Good luck man.

I think the problem you have is with your mechanic.

The variable pressure issue began with the clutch replacement. I am
tempted to say there is not enough lubrication for the throw out bearing
on the transmission; or that you got a defective pressure plate.

You could think of a problem in the master if: There was a leak through
the rear of the master, the clutch would release itself with the pedal
kept pushed given that there were no leaks on the slave.

Seriously, look for another mechanic; this one is milking you.

TonyInClearwater wrote: