Clutch Failure?

[Beltonius]

I got out to my car (2008 MS3 GT) after work today, she started up without issue but I went to put her into reverse and I couldn't get the shifter to move up into the gate. I pumped the clutch pedal a couple times and there was no change. With the parking brake off the car starts to move just a smidge if I have the clutch pedal pressed all the way down and try and force it into gear. If the car's off, I can depress the pedal and get it into gear no problem, but even with the clutch depressed the car stalls when I start it up.

Long story short, I called Mazda roadside assistance and they sent a tow truck. Since it's Friday evening, no dealers or shops were open so I had them drop me and my car off at my apartment.

I'll be calling my insurance company in the morning and figure out what to do.

Anyone have a similar issue or know what it could be?

A passing co-worker suggest it might be low hydraulic pressure in the clutch system. I'll check all the reservoirs I can see in the morning.

21000ish miles of (somewhat aggressive) daily driving. No autocrossing.

 

[Stotrupp]

I'm going to guess its something you'll get repaired under warranty. I beat the hell out of my car and its got 34k miles and the clutch is still fine. Let us know what happens..

 

[Super Unique]

This could go either direction. If the failure is just the clutch disc your likely to be out of pocket. If the hydraulics failed, then they might warranty that.

What sucks, is if the abrasive clutch disc failed, even from faulty construction you will still be expected to pay in full. Clutch replacement at the dealership will likely run $1200 or so.

 

[MikeHTally]

I don't imagine your insurance company will particularly interested. This isn't an insurance issue. Your warranty should cover it, though.

 

[Beltonius]

Long story short, they didn't find anything.

I had a few conversations with the first service guy who escalated it to the service manager. I talked to him on the phone and he ended up calling Mazda about the issue and they apparently hadn't heard of this issue.

They checked the slave cylinder and found no issues and even checked through some kind of inspection port to check for something grossly out of place in the tranny, again, to no avail.

The service guys (at North Penn Mazda, for those of you in the Philadelpha/Allentown area) were very helpful and seemed to be genuinely trying to figure out what's wrong, even though both a tech and the service manager took it for a spin without issues.

I wasn't charged for the service at all, just for the rental.

If it happens again, I think I'll have to insist they swap out the tranny, but I don't see what else can be done right now.

 

[blkspeed]

mine failed at 42,000 last thursday, i bought it with 36,000 my guys at the shop said it was completely worn down said it didnt happen over night. 1400 bucks later its like new but a check engine light is on they think its something loose ill find out monday but yea

 

[abovie3]

At around 20,000 miles i experienced something similar with my speed3. The car wouldnt go into any gear at all, you couldnt even move the shifter more then an inch in either direction. When taken to my local mazda dealer they couldnt find anything wrong, so they dissambeled the shifter linkage, relubed and double checked it and then it was good. 5,000 miles later and havent experienced it again.