Odd clutch issue today

I was slowing for traffic and was out of gear, but the light changed and cars started moving so put it in gear, gave it some gas, and eased off the clutch as usual. The problem is that even though I was letting up the pedal the RPMs started climbing and the truck wasn't accelerating. Quickly cycled the clutch and it started working again.
The only way I can describe it is that it felt like the pressure plate was stuck and wasn't fully engaging the clutch disk.
Thought it was just a fluke. At the next light I was starting in first and the truck bucked about 3-4 times. Not terrible like a bad jackrabbit start. They were very quick and short.
Got to work and I could smell some burned clutch.
I'll take it out at lunch and see if it's still happeing and maybe make an appointment with the dealer. Truck has about 5k miles. Built in 2017.
Just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar.

 

Hmm, I have never had this happen, besides the "bucking" when I work the clutch incorrectly. I am interested to see what you find out. Maybe the CPS censor?

 

Do people with the CPS problem experience intermittent issues or is it constant once it's fails?

 

If its slipping, shuddering and smells burnt there's a problem with the clutch, not the CPS.

 

I would agree with that.

Took it out at lunch. At the first stop I ease the clutch out it feels normal then all of a sudden it shudders once. Then fine at the next stop. Multiple shutters when turning at the third stop. Was fine after that. Couldn't get it to happen any more. I have a longer commute after work so we'll see what happens then. Also went ahead and made an appointment at dealer.

I don't drive aggressively so if it's a worn clutch it's not from abuse.

 

Any updates to share here?

 

Nothing. Couldn't get it to repro with the tech. I'm hoping it was an isolated event.

They did confirm the noise related to the diff. I'm supposed to get some shift sleeve or isolator replaced tomorrow. I'm not holding my breath.

 

I had a similar issue with my truck around 7k-8k miles. It was like I was trying to start in 3rd. It lasted all day. I was freaking out that I was going to have a big problem. Next day issue was gone. I'm almost at 10k now and it has not come back. Best of luck to you.

 

Just curious if you've done any "deep water" crossings recently, or in watery mud and shifted gears while in the muddy deep water?

 

Thanks for sharing. Maybe something with the hydraulic system?

 

No I haven't. Good question though.

 

@Axxra was the truck cold? I live in northern New England and the clutch is SLOOOOOOOOW and mushy when it's cold out. The pedal sometimes takes about a second or so to come up right after you start driving on a cold day. Something about how they use an accumulator in the piping to prevent you from damaging it by popping the clutch quickly and make it engage smoother. I hate it and want to remove it.

 

I thought about that. Nothing like the NE, but I believe we did hit below freezing that night. Maybe around 30. Warmed up to 60s. Might explain why it went away, but I don't remember having an issue when I left the house in the morning. Sounds like yours happens right away. How long does it take to clear up?

 

The colder it is outside, the worse it gets. I can usually notice it being sluggish under 36F or so, but when you get to the low 30s or 20s it is very bad.

It is terrible when you first start the truck after an overnight cold soak. Literally not driveable for the first few seconds. I usually let the truck warm up for a few minutes, pump the clutch a few times and then drive off. It gets better as the truck warms up over the next 10-15 minutes or when it warms up outside. In the time it is warming up it is very numb and hard to get a smooth start without slipping a lot or jerking around like a novice.

The motion of the pedal is so slow you can literally push down, and then quickly lift your foot off the clutch and then hear the pedal snap up a full second later.

I wonder if they make some sort of ultra-low temp synthetic clutch (brake) fluid or something...

 

Master/slave issue? Any issues with grinding gears? Check fluid level and also check for any leaks around slave cylinder.

Where does your clutch engage and how does the pedal feel?

You aren't losing oil by any chance are you?

 

I'll check when I get a chance. Clutch engagement seems consistent with how others describe it. Pedal seems normal with the exception of stop-and-go traffic in second gear. Pedal feedback sometimes feels oddly "gritty" when trying to slowly let out the clutch. Hard to explain.

 

Any updates here; resolution?

 

i have seen a similar report around here but i can't find it. also isolated as far as the report here goes. i myself have never had this issue but i drive the crap outta my MT so I'm watching if there's any news.

 

Unfortunately, I've got nothing new to report. I haven't found any leaks or anything out of the ordinary. The original issue has not returned even when we had fairly cold temps. At that time the pedal was a little mushy but it went away quickly. I'm hoping it was just a one-time fluke with the clutch actuator.

 

There is no lube on the pedal pivot bushings from factory. Often they will start to go an and squeak like a rusty hinge. On mine, I felt the grittyness before it started to squeak but it finally did. I used synthetic brake caliper grease to lube the pivot bushings. It's a major PITA to pull the pivot bolt and pedal to get grease in there due to the tight quarters. Once you do though, the clutch is far smoother.

Others have noted that the clutch push rod free play has been out of adjustment from factory. If you don't have enough play, perhaps the clutch master cylinder doesn't always fully disengage?