Clutch Issue Question

[DViper]

I have about 1000 miles on the clock and recently found out that the car won't shift above 5000 rpm's from 3-4 or 4-3 about 50% of the time. The symptom appears after 2-3 spirited runs, otherwise it's fine. It shifts out of gear just fine, but there's no gear to be found at higher rpm's. I didn't experience any grinding since I won't try to force it, and I don't power shift (ever).

I realize this should be a warranty issue. But, Just how exactly does one go to the dealer and tell them that their car won't shift at 120mph? The problem doesn't occur at lower speeds or rpm's.

My guess is that the clutch is slipping a bit and boiling the clutch fluid in 3rd and 4th gear, causing the clutch to not fully disengage.

Any idea's on the best way to approach this with the dealer? They can't replicate it unless they do several runs above 100mph (which I don't want). The car is less than a month old.

Any help or idea's would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[knuk]

Well the car is built to be run at that speed and higher. They won't question it at all, just go in and tell them what the problem is.

[Viper X]

I have posted several times on clutch / pp issues recently, as I have experienced several.

If your problem is hydraulic, which I doubt, it will get worse.

If the pressure plate bolts are backing out, as mine have twice, it will get worse. In either case, the symptoms will likely become more acute as the car heats up, mine always have. You may be able to duplicate the problem by simply sitting in stop and go traffic, starting and stopping in warm weather. You don't have a location in you signature, so you may not get warm weather for a while, depending upon where you live.

I'd take the car into your dealer and give them the symptoms as soon as possible. I'd also call Skip White at Skip White Performance and discuss this with him. He's had a bunch of experience dealing with clutch issues too.

Good luck.

Dan

[DViper]

Thanks for the responses. I'm in Nor-Cal and it's been fairly warm. I can duplicate the problem only after a couple of high speed runs. The car is fine around town, otherwise. I noticed the faint smell of clutch on my last 3rd gear blast.

I am taking in to the dealer tomorrow. I'm just not sure whether they will take my word, or run it to 120mph to duplicate the problem.

[redsrt03]

Good luck. At 4k miles my Viper started slipping very badly. I too had noticed the odor of clutch burning when I drove the car fairly hard at speed (not 120MPH though). I hope the dealer finds/fixes it under warranty (I had to buy a new clutch and get it installed at my expense).

[DViper]

Update:

I just got the car back from the dealer. They couldn't find anything wrong with it. They ran it to 140mph on the rack with no load and said everything was perfect. I know better, but I can't prove it to them unless I take them for a ride on an unsafe and heavily monitored highway.

I guess I just have to wait for it to get worse.

[redsrt03]

At the risk of catching hell from Chris, welcome to the world of Viperdom!

Actually, I really like my Viper, it seems to be well designed, killer looks, and HIGH performance. Too bad dodge doesn't pay the Japanese to build 'em in Osaka and then boat them here! LOL

[BigCarrot]

Mine blew up at 4k miles....

[venom1]

I have a clutch issue problem. what does it meen when I start to take off and i start to let the cluth out while giving it gas the car starts to shake, is it really the clutch slipping?

[venom1]

oh regarding the clutch slipping apon take off, I have a 2000 GTS with 5000 miles thanks for any input. and will the dealer fix the clutch if it is bad still had 2 years left on the warranty. and if not covered how much does it usually cost to fix the clutch?

[Skip White]

The chatter you speak of is somewhat normal, if it's very subtle. If the dealer notices it, he may replace it. Some cars will get better after a while. The clutch may just have some high spots on the disc, and they tend to burn down after a while. There are several reasons a clutch will chatter.

The Viper clutch is such a huge diameter, and so close to the driver, along with the short drive shaft, this tends to make it more annoying.

Hope you get it to where you like it.

Skip White