So I just picked up my 08 Monday. I'd been thinking on the 3 1/2 hour drive home that the shifting was a lot "notch-ier" that I expected. Almost every gear change it felt like the shifter "clicked" into gear, not slid. And in retrospect, the clutch engagement point was awful close to the floor. Well, three times in the following three days after getting stopped at a light, I was locked out of any gear until I eventually figured out that if I pumped the clutch pedal a couple times I could get it into first. Everything I read here and elsewhere seemed to point to low fluid or air in the line. So today I went to a friend's for help and we went through the procedure in the DIY and oh my god, its like night and day difference. Shifting is so incredibly smooth now and the point the clutch engages is higher off the floor, its like a whole different car....

Thanks guys, it prolly just saved me a $200 service visit at the local dealer.....

 

One of two things most likely happened here. 1) previous owner did not bleed the clutch properly. 2) The master cylinder is failing and will eventually suck in more air creating the problem again. Things like this dont just happen randomly. Drive and enjoy, but if it does start to act up again, replace master cylinder. I would replace the Slave cylinder as well, they are cheap insurance and should really be done together if same mileage parts.

 

Thanks for the good suggestion. That had actually crossed my mind and my friend also suggested the same. The fluid in the clutch reservoir and what was drained out the bleed valve looked pretty clean, so I am hoping that the dealer changed it when they took it in on trade, and just didn't get it bled properly. BUT, I know what to keep an eye out for now. Before I didn't know what it was supposed to feel like, now I do and should be able to recognize the symptoms when/if it starts back up again, and I know exactly where to go looking for the problem...

 

Well, the symptoms started coming back after a couple days with real notchy feeling when going from first to second and second to third. So I took it in to the dealer to have them take a look and they showed me where the slave was wet with fluid. I know it wasn't after we worked on it Saturday. The mechanic (who says he works on the owner's personal S2000) thinks the seal has gone bad. They're recommending replacing the slave cylinder. Does this sound reasonable?

 

The clutch slave cylinders go bad often, but it does happen. The clutch master cylinder is notorious for having the seals go bad and is extremely easy to identify. You can search more about this. It is a cheap part and shouldn't take more than an hour to replace.

 

I am going to guess you already changed the tranny fluid if you changed clutch fluid but that will help out also.

 

the master is ok, no signs of any leaking in the interior, no fluid on the carpet. the slave has fluid on it, it appears to be leaking according to the mechanic.

 

Probably needs new washers for the banjo bolt.