Lost my use of the clutch

[rworell]

2011 RT Limited
Just got back from a great 500 mile road trip when 20 miles out from my trip I lost the use of my clutch to where I had to leave it in 2 gear and was able to get home. I popped the resiviour cap and saw I was down a bit below the full line. I put the Dot4 in and I'm able to shift normally again.. But this is the second time I've done this in the last 1000 miles. Leak, air in the line? Is it a double lined hose cause I show no leakage on my floor. Any suggestions would be awesome.

Rich

 

[safecracker]

I have to add fluid once a year. I believe mine evaporates around the seal on the cover. Bruce

 

[trucker1]

clutch fluid

We have a 2011 R T also. Got ready to go on a ride one Saturday when I knowest the clutch was weak feeling and hard to get in reverse to get out of the garage. Had to refill the fluid also. it was almost empty. Haven't seen any leaks either. So don't know if this is just a 2011 rt problem or not. But its done good so far but I may need to check it again before our next ride. Its due for a oil and spark plug change so I'll get them to look at it closer at the shop to see if they can see anything better than I can while they have half the body off. Maybe they can tell me if this has been a issue on the rt's. If I find out anything I'll post it later. I know that's not much help. But it's a start to see if anyone else has had this problem.

 

[fencepost]

May be a leak at the slave cylinder at the trams.

 

[rworell]

I have the Best warranty until Aug.this summer

So I'm going to bring it into the shop and see what they can find. I imagine this is covered.

Rich

 

[trucker1]

It should be covered. Let us know how it goes. And what they find.

 

[CanAmMick]

2011 RT Limited
Just got back from a great 500 mile road trip when 20 miles out from my trip I lost the use of my clutch to where I had to leave it in 2 gear and was able to get home. I popped the resiviour cap and saw I was down a bit below the full line. I put the Dot4 in and I'm able to shift normally again.. But this is the second time I've done this in the last 1000 miles. Leak, air in the line? Is it a double lined hose cause I show no leakage on my floor. Any suggestions would be awesome.

Rich

I had the replace the o'rings on the clutch piston twice. It's easy to do yourself if that's it. The first time it happened it was still under warranty. All the dealer did was bled the system, and when it happened again just after my warranty was out, I refused to pay their high price so I did it myself. I found that the o'rings had rolled on the piston. I replaced o'rings 10, 11, and 13.

I could never find a leak anywhere, but the large o'ring was really worn, and you could see it had rolled on the piston.

http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/oemparts/a/cam/500b5ea7f8700228ecf59e25/diaphragm-cover

 

[Chupaca]

Where...

Where it goes is a puzzler. I usually drain the resevoir and refill it with clean fluid pirodically without having to bleed the system. I seemed to have skip one and found getting out of reverse next to impossible. When I got home I checked and it was almost dry. I have no leaks. refilled and all is fine once again...:dontknow: All this tells you is to check your fluid and forget the the sight glass ....

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I had that same thing happen on my 2010 RT SM5, there was a leak but the fluid never hit the ground. Mine was replaced under extended warranty.

 

[MercerLake]

Clutch Fluid?

2011 RT Limited
Just got back from a great 500 mile road trip when 20 miles out from my trip I lost the use of my clutch to where I had to leave it in 2 gear and was able to get home. I popped the resiviour cap and saw I was down a bit below the full line. I put the Dot4 in and I'm able to shift normally again.. But this is the second time I've done this in the last 1000 miles. Leak, air in the line? Is it a double lined hose cause I show no leakage on my floor. Any suggestions would be awesome.

Rich

If it isn't leaking out where it is visible, then it's going past the clutch actuator piston "O Rings" into the "wet clutch" and the engine oil. Can't be good for the engine.:yikes: How much does it take to do harm?:dontknow:

 

[rworell]

Great replies everyone

Thanks for the input, I really so appreciate it. I'm hoping my dealer can take care of this with my Best Warranty, but if not I have some options to look at to possibly fix myself.

Rich

 

[Lin]

Glad you had a good trip and didn't encounter the problem until you were able to limp home. Keep us posted on what happens with the dealer.

Lin

 

[rworell]

Will do

Ya me too Lin, I noticed it getting really bad on RT16 about 45 min from home, got to a place where I could ride it in 2nd gear the rest of the way... phewww.

On a good note, traveling up to Vermont through the White mountains and back down through Southern Vermont was amazing riding..

Glad you had a good trip and didn't encounter the problem until you were able to limp home. Keep us posted on what happens with the dealer.

Lin

 

[Bob Denman]

Since I've got an "ESSIE": I'm not really up on the maintenance protocols for the clutch setup... pps:
Isn't there something in the manual about changing the fluid every once in a while?
Could yours have just gotten to the point where servicing was needed? :dontknow:
Good Luck! :thumbup:

EDIT: in the 2014 manual, they mention servicing it every 19,000 miles.

EVERY 30 000KM (19,000MI)

Replace clutch fluid
(SM6 model only).

 

[Lin]

The 2011 maintenance schedule for the SM5 now calls for replacement at 14000 miles or 2 years, (whichever occurs first).

 

[rworell]

Replacement of the clutch?

Lin, where did you get that info from? Thanks for it though:clap:I'm calling the dealer now.

The 2011 maintenance schedule for the SM5 now calls for replacement at 14000 miles or 2 years, (whichever occurs first).

 

[Lin]

Lin, where did you get that info from? Thanks for it though:clap:I'm calling the dealer now.

I received a letter from BRP dated June 2012 when they modified the original maintenance schedule for 2008-2012 Roadster. It came with a new booklet for the periodic maintenance schedule. If you want a copy, let me know and I can scan it.

 

[oldwarriorrider]

Thanks for the input, I really so appreciate it. I'm hoping my dealer can take care of this with my Best Warranty, but if not I have some options to look at to possibly fix myself.

Rich

I have a 2013 ST and had the same problem with disappearing clutch fluid. Took to the dealer under warranty and they diagnosed as a pinched O-ring in the slave cylinder. It was replaced under warranty and I haven't had an issue since.

 

[rworell]

That would be great Lin

Lin if you wouldn't mind, I would appreciate that a ton! Thank you. Do you need my email? [email protected]
thanks again

I received a letter from BRP dated June 2012 when they modified the original maintenance schedule for 2008-2012 Roadster. It came with a new booklet for the periodic maintenance schedule. If you want a copy, let me know and I can scan it.