transmission or the clutch? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

N1ceDrgn · 01-01-2003, 09:20 PM

After an interesting evening for New Years I was on my way home and I noticed the car driving a little strange. I pulled over and checked things out and there was a 'box of rocks' sound coming from the underside of the engine?! When the clutch is in it stops and when it's out it starts? Pick up/ power is starting to fade too! At the same time it is difficult to put into gear sometimes. Before I pull it apart tomorrow, I wanted to see if anyone else had any ideas? Would it be the clutch or would it be the transmission?
There is only one other thing I noticed, the resevoir for the clutch was empty as well? I checked things out and I didn't see anything wrong on any of the lines. The only thing I did see is that the clutch slave cylinder was damp. Other than that, there wasn't anything. I'd like to hear what anyone has to say.

**mrmephistopheles** · 01-02-2003, 12:11 AM

Sounds like clutch and maybe pilot bushing to me. Could be the pilot bushing is thrashed, or a spring from the clutch disc is loose. The lack of fluid in your clutch hydraulic system would easilty contribute to your difficulty in shifting, esp. if air got into the system.
I'd say have a clutch, pilot bearing, pressure plate & pilot bushing ready to go.

Kevin

DarkRaptor42 · 01-02-2003, 12:17 AM

Im familiar with this occurance as well. 1st off it could just be fluid is needed either in the tranny or the clutch but if you have a case like mine, it was the bearing between first and second gears was going out and I needed a new tranny.

N1ceDrgn · 01-02-2003, 05:38 AM

Well, I hope it's only some debris inside the bell housing and maybe a lack of fluid. Since I've had the car and I've talked to others, they've also had problems with the clutch system on these cars as well.
It doesn't keep full pressure and when it gets hot it slips. Well, mine has been that way from the start. Now, unless it's disengaged, it'll make the 'box of rocks' sound. Like I mentioned, I only hope it's some debris and a lack of fluid. If the tranny is going that will present a whole new dilemma! My tranny isn't for a KA, it's for a CA.

**mrmephistopheles** · 01-02-2003, 08:49 AM

Go to McKinney and look at a KA tranny. See if the bellhousings can be swapped. I remember that being the case for the SR, and I'm pretty doubtful that it'd work, but it's worth a shot.

Kevin

N1ceDrgn · 01-02-2003, 10:47 AM

Well, I would like for them to work on it. I've contacted them and I am waiting to see what they have to say. Hopefully good news! Then again, isn't that always the case?

AKADriver · 01-02-2003, 11:52 AM

The CA18DET tranny is an FS5W71C, just like the KA and SR, so the bellhousing should swap. The gearing is the same too, except maybe 5th.

Good luck.

01-01-2003, 09:20 PM	#1
N1ceDrgn Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SoCal Posts: 259 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	transmission or the clutch? After an interesting evening for New Years I was on my way home and I noticed the car driving a little strange. I pulled over and checked things out and there was a 'box of rocks' sound coming from the underside of the engine?! When the clutch is in it stops and when it's out it starts? Pick up/ power is starting to fade too! At the same time it is difficult to put into gear sometimes. Before I pull it apart tomorrow, I wanted to see if anyone else had any ideas? Would it be the clutch or would it be the transmission? There is only one other thing I noticed, the resevoir for the clutch was empty as well? I checked things out and I didn't see anything wrong on any of the lines. The only thing I did see is that the clutch slave cylinder was damp. Other than that, there wasn't anything. I'd like to hear what anyone has to say. __________________ ..working on something that is slowly getting built up and restored..

01-02-2003, 12:17 AM	#3
DarkRaptor42 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Lodi CA Age: 41 Posts: 542 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Im familiar with this occurance as well. 1st off it could just be fluid is needed either in the tranny or the clutch but if you have a case like mine, it was the bearing between first and second gears was going out and I needed a new tranny. __________________ 04 WRX STi 90 Sil- Camino R.I.P. AE86 20v MS R.I.P. KA-T www.209forums.com

01-02-2003, 05:38 AM	#4
N1ceDrgn Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SoCal Posts: 259 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, I hope it's only some debris inside the bell housing and maybe a lack of fluid. Since I've had the car and I've talked to others, they've also had problems with the clutch system on these cars as well. It doesn't keep full pressure and when it gets hot it slips. Well, mine has been that way from the start. Now, unless it's disengaged, it'll make the 'box of rocks' sound. Like I mentioned, I only hope it's some debris and a lack of fluid. If the tranny is going that will present a whole new dilemma! My tranny isn't for a KA, it's for a CA. __________________ ..working on something that is slowly getting built up and restored..

01-02-2003, 10:47 AM	#6
N1ceDrgn Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SoCal Posts: 259 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, I would like for them to work on it. I've contacted them and I am waiting to see what they have to say. Hopefully good news! Then again, isn't that always the case? __________________ ..working on something that is slowly getting built up and restored..

01-02-2003, 12:11 AM	#2
mrmephistopheles Magnanimous Justice Distribution Service Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: BFE Age: 23 Posts: 14,372 Trader Rating: (9) Rides Gallery: mrmephistopheles Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Sounds like clutch and maybe pilot bushing to me. Could be the pilot bushing is thrashed, or a spring from the clutch disc is loose. The lack of fluid in your clutch hydraulic system would easilty contribute to your difficulty in shifting, esp. if air got into the system. I'd say have a clutch, pilot bearing, pressure plate & pilot bushing ready to go. Kevin

01-02-2003, 08:49 AM	#5
mrmephistopheles Magnanimous Justice Distribution Service Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: BFE Age: 23 Posts: 14,372 Trader Rating: (9) Rides Gallery: mrmephistopheles Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Go to McKinney and look at a KA tranny. See if the bellhousings can be swapped. I remember that being the case for the SR, and I'm pretty doubtful that it'd work, but it's worth a shot. Kevin

01-02-2003, 11:52 AM	#7
AKADriver Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Age: 43 Posts: 3,517 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	The CA18DET tranny is an FS5W71C, just like the KA and SR, so the bellhousing should swap. The gearing is the same too, except maybe 5th. Good luck.