Topic: Clutch Pedal All The Way To The Floor...
in Forum: C4 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Hi,
I own a 1987 L98, Z52 "4+3" Coupe with 62k miles. To make a long story short, the Vette was running great when I ended up being hospitalized and then into a nursing home/rehab facility while I regained the use of my legs.
The Vette was SUPPOSED to have been stored in a barn for the 2+ years I was not around. In reality, it sat at my friends house, uncovered, for the entire time.
As I stated, the car was running great when it was "parked", but when I was informed that it never made it to storage, I went and tried to start it. The first thing I noticed was the clutch pedal was all the way to the floor, so I didn't mess with it.
I spoke to a couple of guys at NAPA and VIP auto parts and they said that it "probably" was a leak in the hydraulic clutch line?
Anyone have any thoughts?
I trully do not know how to fix anything "big" on a vehicle (I CAN make 'em look nice thought! LOL)
Also, I need a new rear "Y" pipe and a muffler. Should I just get those two items or should I get a new exhaust? I like the sound of the Corsa, what do you all think?
Thanks again!
Bob
I own a 1987 L98, Z52 "4+3" Coupe with 62k miles. To make a long story short, the Vette was running great when I ended up being hospitalized and then into a nursing home/rehab facility while I regained the use of my legs.
The Vette was SUPPOSED to have been stored in a barn for the 2+ years I was not around. In reality, it sat at my friends house, uncovered, for the entire time.
As I stated, the car was running great when it was "parked", but when I was informed that it never made it to storage, I went and tried to start it. The first thing I noticed was the clutch pedal was all the way to the floor, so I didn't mess with it.
I spoke to a couple of guys at NAPA and VIP auto parts and they said that it "probably" was a leak in the hydraulic clutch line?
Anyone have any thoughts?
I trully do not know how to fix anything "big" on a vehicle (I CAN make 'em look nice thought! LOL)
Also, I need a new rear "Y" pipe and a muffler. Should I just get those two items or should I get a new exhaust? I like the sound of the Corsa, what do you all think?
Thanks again!
Bob
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2250
Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
Welcome to C4VR, Bob, and Glad you're back on your feet, so to speak.
The clutch issue would have happened regardless of where it was stored, tho it would have been nice for it to have been inside, as it was supposed to be.
You will need to replace the clutch Master Cylinder AND slave cylinder, and then bleed the system. The slave is fairly easy to replace...the Master is a bit tougher, considering the location. Bleeding the system is the real problem....they are a huge pita to do correctly. You might want to consider having a shop do the replacing of the clutch cylinders, unless you just like tinkering....and cussing....and throwing tools across the shop....
sorry.....that was ME!
My guess is the entire exhaust is prolly gonna need to be replaced, but I haven't seen it...you have. If the forward pipes are in good shape, then the "Y" pipe & mufflers can be replaced fairly easily.
The clutch issue would have happened regardless of where it was stored, tho it would have been nice for it to have been inside, as it was supposed to be.
You will need to replace the clutch Master Cylinder AND slave cylinder, and then bleed the system. The slave is fairly easy to replace...the Master is a bit tougher, considering the location. Bleeding the system is the real problem....they are a huge pita to do correctly. You might want to consider having a shop do the replacing of the clutch cylinders, unless you just like tinkering....and cussing....and throwing tools across the shop....
sorry.....that was ME!

My guess is the entire exhaust is prolly gonna need to be replaced, but I haven't seen it...you have. If the forward pipes are in good shape, then the "Y" pipe & mufflers can be replaced fairly easily.
Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Hi Joel and THANKS!!
Oh, a shop indeed! While I'm not QUITE as bad as the guy who figures, "Hell, the car came with oil in it, why should I be bothered?" the pro's can do it.

Now, why did you write, "The clutch issue would have happened regardless of where it was stored"? Again, I don'y know anything about working on cars, so I'm not being a smartass.
I'm hoping that I can get the "musty" smell out of the carpet by opening the doors, but the leather "Sport Seats" took quite a beating from the sun baking thru the top.

Do you have any idea what the clutch job should run me?
Again, any and all input is GREAT and thank you so much!
Bob
Bob
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Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
Looks like the correct parts.
Prices seem a little high to me tho, but I'm in the business, so my prices are usually a bit lower than "normal".
The reason I said it would have happened anyway is because of it sitting, unused. The fluid in the master cylinder probably just seeped past the seals over time. It's possible you could look up under the dash, where the master cylinder comes thru, and see a trail of fluid. It the pedal had been pushed a few times every month or so, it would have probably kept everything lubricated enough to keep the seals from drying out, and shrinking up, allowing the seepage.
As far as how much having someone do it would cost, I can only say it should take about 2-3 hours, depending on the skill of the person doing it, and how familiar they might be with the Corvette....and the bleeding of the system. You'd need to check with your local shops and ask their labor prices, or just ask how much they would charge. Our shop gets $85/hr....
Getting the musty smell out might be a bit tougher than just leaving the doors open, but that certainly wouldn't hurt! You might also try some Fabreeze....that stuff works really well.

The reason I said it would have happened anyway is because of it sitting, unused. The fluid in the master cylinder probably just seeped past the seals over time. It's possible you could look up under the dash, where the master cylinder comes thru, and see a trail of fluid. It the pedal had been pushed a few times every month or so, it would have probably kept everything lubricated enough to keep the seals from drying out, and shrinking up, allowing the seepage.
As far as how much having someone do it would cost, I can only say it should take about 2-3 hours, depending on the skill of the person doing it, and how familiar they might be with the Corvette....and the bleeding of the system. You'd need to check with your local shops and ask their labor prices, or just ask how much they would charge. Our shop gets $85/hr....
Getting the musty smell out might be a bit tougher than just leaving the doors open, but that certainly wouldn't hurt! You might also try some Fabreeze....that stuff works really well.

Joel Adams
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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lanoka harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363
Vette(s): 1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto
1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto
welcome to the site bob. joel is da man to listen to
. glad you are back up and around too. thoughts about the musty smell would be to take out the seats (not that hard) and get a small carpet/ upholstery cleaner like a bissell and clean the carpets through out the car and then use the fabrese. as joel said if the clutch was pushed in every once in a while it might have prevented the problem. with that in mind make sure you check your brakes as the same can happen to them. my 90 was laid up for a year and i never thought about it and when i started using it again i had no rear brakes as the calipers were stuck. same goes with brakes..if the car is laid up for any length of time the brake should be pumped every now and then. hope you get the car up and running quickly.

the dynamic duo

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Hey Guys!
Thanks again for your input!
OK, my "Corvette America" catalog arrived today, and I looked up the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder.
They are both $87.99, which sound's a hell of a lot better than the prices I looked up online.
Now, another question: a few years ago, my allternator went and I began pricing a new one. They had a list price from $99.00 up to $145.00
I went to ebay and got a new one for $80.00 plus shipping.
My question is this: Would I be able to get the Master and Slave for a regular car (by "regular", I mean non-corvette) cheaper than the $87.99?
Again, thanks for taking the time with a guy who truly is not a mechanic!
-Bob
-Bob
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
Not for the Corvette...the master & slave are specific to the vehicle. As far as I know, no other GM product uses the same set-up....
Joel Adams
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
[:o]
Hey Guys!
Well, a LOT has happened since I first wrote to this forum.
As I stated before, I bought my Vette in late summer 2005, put it away for the winter that December and brought it out in May of '06. Became very ill that fall and wound up in a nursing home until 2009.
I had asked a "good friend" about storage and she offered a barn.
So, as things turned out, the car was never in a barn or any other type of shelter the entire time; it sat, uncovered, in the woods!
3 weeks ago, I contacted a Chevy dealership and gave them the ok to do what was needed to get my Vette BACK into the shape it was in...
Well, it's been pricier than what I really thought it would be, but SO much had to be replaced:
Front and rear rotors, pads, right front wheel hub assembly, clutch master and slave, new exhaust ("Flowmaster Force II cat-back), ceramic plugs, wires, right window motor, roof panel moldings, body moldings, OEM leather hides for both seats, new carpet and heat/sound barrier, OEM/GM lighted driver and passenger visors and last but not least, 4 new tires.
What I originally thought would cost around $400-$500 has come to a grand total of $5,745
But, come this Tuesday, when I pick her up from "The Doctors", it'll be worth it.
Would someone answer a couple of questions please: my car has the "Z51 Handeling Package"; what exactly does that mean, and why is it impossible to get tires?? I, literally, contacted every tire place online as well as local shops and I was told that, due to the Z51 package, the car has to have a very specific tire (P255/50VR 16), which not 1 company produces.
Thanks guys!
Hey Guys!
Well, a LOT has happened since I first wrote to this forum.
As I stated before, I bought my Vette in late summer 2005, put it away for the winter that December and brought it out in May of '06. Became very ill that fall and wound up in a nursing home until 2009.
I had asked a "good friend" about storage and she offered a barn.
So, as things turned out, the car was never in a barn or any other type of shelter the entire time; it sat, uncovered, in the woods!
3 weeks ago, I contacted a Chevy dealership and gave them the ok to do what was needed to get my Vette BACK into the shape it was in...
Well, it's been pricier than what I really thought it would be, but SO much had to be replaced:
Front and rear rotors, pads, right front wheel hub assembly, clutch master and slave, new exhaust ("Flowmaster Force II cat-back), ceramic plugs, wires, right window motor, roof panel moldings, body moldings, OEM leather hides for both seats, new carpet and heat/sound barrier, OEM/GM lighted driver and passenger visors and last but not least, 4 new tires.
What I originally thought would cost around $400-$500 has come to a grand total of $5,745
But, come this Tuesday, when I pick her up from "The Doctors", it'll be worth it.
Would someone answer a couple of questions please: my car has the "Z51 Handeling Package"; what exactly does that mean, and why is it impossible to get tires?? I, literally, contacted every tire place online as well as local shops and I was told that, due to the Z51 package, the car has to have a very specific tire (P255/50VR 16), which not 1 company produces.
Thanks guys!
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2250
Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
The Z51 option is the heavy dooty suspension. Shocks, springs, and bushings are stiffer all around.
Have you tried Kumho tires? I got that same size on my '85 just a couple years ago.
A lot of tire manufacturers are getting away from the 16" tires for some reason. I guess there isn't enough of a market for them anymore, but yeeeesh...it sure makes it hard for those of us that have vehicles with them in that size....
Have you tried Kumho tires? I got that same size on my '85 just a couple years ago.
A lot of tire manufacturers are getting away from the 16" tires for some reason. I guess there isn't enough of a market for them anymore, but yeeeesh...it sure makes it hard for those of us that have vehicles with them in that size....

Joel Adams
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C4 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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