Clutch problem

[sno_boarder4343]

Ok so I am posting about my 2014 Mazda 3 (I know). I was stopped at a stop sign the other day with the clutch pressed all the way in. All of a sudden, my foot pushes the pedal down farther than it is supposed to go, I took my foot off and it would not pop back out. I popped it back out by hand and it stays out. I start to drive and the pedal feels much lighter to push than it did before. Furthermore, starting from a stop causes a burning smell and it is slower to get started. When I have to start this way shifting into other gears seems to be much rougher. When I get up to speed I can switch gears no problem and it usually does not smell. I took it in to the mazda dealership as it is still under warranty, and they told me the clutch has gone bad but it is not covered under warranty (surprise surprise). They want $1100 to replace it. I guess I am posting here hoping one of you fine folk out there will tell me they diagnosed the problem wrong, and it is something hydrolic that will be much cheaper to fix. Also WTF is up with a clutch going out after only 33000 miles? I am not rough on it, and have been driving manual cars all my life. Sorry for the post about a car not included on this website, but I know you all are extremely knowledgeable about cars on here. Thanks for the help.

 

[gdb1039]

Sounds like your slave cylinder has gone bad. The burning smell could be hydraulic fluid on the clutch disc, which if that's the case then your disk is most likely needing to be replaced. Check the slave cylinder on the trans for any signs of leaking fluid.

 

[kodylk08]

Is there fluid in the master cylinder? I've never experienced a clutch going bad, but can't imagine that it would be as sudden as this situation. It almost sounds like their may be air in the system besides the burning smell. I would start by checking fluid level.

 

[sno_boarder4343]

I haven't seen anything since I took it to the dealership they did everything, but yeah I thought the same thing since it appears to still shift and not have too much trouble. I can;t imagine they wouldn't check the fluid level and quote me for $1100 though

 

[kodylk08]

I wouldn't count that out. I had a cavalier when I was 17 before I knew anything mechanical. I heard a funny grinding sound brought it in and they told me I needed a new motor. Turns out the oil was just low.