Spotted and a problem

[MFP]

Hi all. Been loitering for about a year on here but haven't had anything constructive to say, so here's my first post.
Firstly can I just say despite what others have said before, this is a very good and informative forum so keep up the good work.

My spotted was Gasman I think, on Monday on the A470. Very nice looking ro and judging by that immense noise coming out of it, I think you left your exhausts off Sounds good though.

My promblem is the clutch. I have a VXR8 which is a year old now and I have done 16,000 miles in it from new.For the last week or so when the engine is under load, the clutch pedal is only returning 75% of the way back to it's resting position. It doesn't happen when changing up or down under 3,500 rpm or if in neutral when you pump the pedal up and down.
I tried experimenting with it and when I really thrashed it the pedal became stiff simular to how a brake pedal feels when you pump it.
I took it into the dealer on Tuesday I bought it from(who are pretty good) and they tried bleeding the clutch but it's still the same. They now want to change the slave cylinder next week so we'll have to see.
They did say they had a simular problem with another VXR8 owner, apparently the clutch pedal stayed down completely on his and he kicked up a huge fuss so they just put a new clutch on for him.

The clutch seems ok and isn't dragging in anyway. Anybody have any ideas?

[racebreed]

MFP said:

Hi all. Been loitering for about a year on here but haven't had anything constructive to say, so here's my first post.
Firstly can I just say despite what others have said before, this is a very good and informative forum so keep up the good work.

My spotted was Gasman I think, on Monday on the A470. Very nice looking ro and judging by that immense noise coming out of it, I think you left your exhausts off Sounds good though.

My promblem is the clutch. I have a VXR8 which is a year old now and I have done 16,000 miles in it from new.For the last week or so when the engine is under load, the clutch pedal is only returning 75% of the way back to it's resting position. It doesn't happen when changing up or down under 3,500 rpm or if in neutral when you pump the pedal up and down.
I tried experimenting with it and when I really thrashed it the pedal became stiff simular to how a brake pedal feels when you pump it.
I took it into the dealer on Tuesday I bought it from(who are pretty good) and they tried bleeding the clutch but it's still the same. They now want to change the slave cylinder next week so we'll have to see.
They did say they had a simular problem with another VXR8 owner, apparently the clutch pedal stayed down completely on his and he kicked up a huge fuss so they just put a new clutch on for him.

The clutch seems ok and isn't dragging in anyway. Anybody have any ideas?

fluid overheating maybe mine does this if i do a quick start through the gears at high revs

[ringram]

Yep typical problem, just about everyone has this issue. Some say keeping clean fluid in the system helps. Others that the stock clutch isnt good for leaning on.
The LS7 is a popular replacement available at a low cost. They can replace what they like the issue will end up returning.

Have a read here http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html

[broadslide]

Hi MFP. What part of Wales are you? Was the dealer Hutchings in Treforest? They quoted me for a service on my Ro but they admitted they had never worked on one before so I thought some one else can have the pleasure. I'm Bridgend area BTW.
Charlie

[Stigmundfreud]

replace clutch fluid

[2blackhats]

I think they may have it with the clutch slave cylinder. I had one go on another vehicle and it exhibited all the symtoms you describe.

[MFP]

Thanks for the quick replies gents and the link. I'll have a word and maybe take a printout of that link to show them.

Broadslide I'm in Cardiff and yes it was Hutchings. They have a guy called Matthew there whose specialises in Monaros and VXR8's. He seems quite a reasonable man, more of a technical guy than a hairy arsed mechanic lol. He's managed to fix the dashboard display issues on the VXR8 and a few other faults, mainly because the owner John Hutchings seemed to have one of the VXR8's with all the problems. I'm not sure about his Monaro experience but I've seen a couple there for services. They told me that before they couldn't sell Monaros and R8's because they didn't have the equipment or the knowledge but as soon as they got it they were allowed to become a dealer for them.
Luckily I've only had the water bottle leak and now this so I'll let you know if they sort it or waste my time.

Thanks again for the replies

[Stigmundfreud]

definitely check the fluid, it will only stand a few hard starts/heavy changes and its cheap (free) to check

[MyM8V8]

Good grief Ladies and Gentleman. This is his first post and could we give the man a welcome???

Welcome to the club, and may your membership be a happy and fruitful one, just like Mel.

[Stigmundfreud]

Yes you are right!

Welcome, now, check and replace the clutch fluid - halfords DOT4 will do it

[ringram]

MFP said:

Thanks for the quick replies gents and the link. I'll have a word and maybe take a printout of that link to show them.

Broadslide I'm in Cardiff and yes it was Hutchings. They have a guy called Matthew there whose specialises in Monaros and VXR8's. He seems quite a reasonable man, more of a technical guy than a hairy arsed mechanic lol. He's managed to fix the dashboard display issues on the VXR8 and a few other faults, mainly because the owner John Hutchings seemed to have one of the VXR8's with all the problems. I'm not sure about his Monaro experience but I've seen a couple there for services. They told me that before they couldn't sell Monaros and R8's because they didn't have the equipment or the knowledge but as soon as they got it they were allowed to become a dealer for them.
Luckily I've only had the water bottle leak and now this so I'll let you know if they sort it or waste my time.

Thanks again for the replies

Interesting, my display has variously cut out and gone a purple tinge. What was your issue?

[Gas_Man]

Welcome! And yes it was me late afternoon/early evening southbound on the A470. The dealership you've mentioned has worked on my Monaro once without inspiring total confidance. Welcome to the forum, and perhaps there are enough of we V8 owners round here to set up a mini meet!!
Broadslide, is yours a red 05 model? I've heard tales of it but not seen for myself.
Good to see another member on here, and happy motoring

[Bonnie and Clyde]

MyM8V8 said:

Good grief Ladies and Gentleman. This is his first post and could we give the man a welcome???

Welcome to the club, and may your membership be a happy and fruitful one, just like Mel.

Yeah sorry mate. Hello and Welcome. Its the only place to be

Mel

[broadslide]

Gas_Man said:

Welcome! And yes it was me late afternoon/early evening southbound on the A470. The dealership you've mentioned has worked on my Monaro once without inspiring total confidance. Welcome to the forum, and perhaps there are enough of we V8 owners round here to set up a mini meet!!
Broadslide, is yours a red 05 model? I've heard tales of it but not seen for myself.
Good to see another member on here, and happy motoring

Hi Gas Man. I'm a black VXR500. There is a Red VXR in Swansea (Farm 1) but not sure if he's back on the road with it yet. Ian you coming out to play? There is also a red VXR8 in Bridgend. I'm sure we can get a rumbling meet on before christmas. Oh yes and croeseo MFP.

[Gas_Man]

I know Farm1, and his son. Never seen your car around though. Do you get out much? Let me know if you have any plans for a get together. Croeso

[MFP]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys

Thanks for your advice Stig but I'll let Hutchings change it for free first.

And yes maybe we could have a mini meet and convoy through the Bute Tunnels

[MFP]

Yes Gasman I picked my R8 up back in Oct 07 and drive it everywhere usually locally and M4/A470 everyday for work and I traveled the whole of Ireland in July in it.
It was like being famous in Ireland, most people looking, asking and taking pictures on they're phone(mostly youngsters) because they're all driving rice burners. Best of all saw no cops and lots of lovely empty roads to play on.

I've seen a black cv8 a couple of times (55 plate I think) in Barry a while ago and there used to be a black 55 plate VXR around Cardiff but that was a year or two ago when I was itching to trade my Crossfire in for one.

[wolfracer]

MFP said:

Yes Gasman I picked my R8 up back in Oct 07 and drive it everywhere usually locally and M4/A470 everyday for work and I traveled the whole of Ireland in July in it.
It was like being famous in Ireland, most people looking, asking and taking pictures on they're phone(mostly youngsters) because they're all driving rice burners. Best of all saw no cops and lots of lovely empty roads to play on.

I've seen a black cv8 a couple of times (55 plate I think) in Barry a while ago and there used to be a black 55 plate VXR around Cardiff but that was a year or two ago when I was itching to trade my Crossfire in for one.

black VXR still around, spoke to the guy who owns it now at a motor factors in merthyr, but this was a "pre facelift" one.

[Gas_Man]

There's a red 05 CV8 in church village, but the owner is not on here. He has fitted Longlife exhausts to his, but not retuned, so runs like a bag of nails I gather.

[MFP]

ringram said:

MFP said:

Thanks for the quick replies gents and the link. I'll have a word and maybe take a printout of that link to show them.

Broadslide I'm in Cardiff and yes it was Hutchings. They have a guy called Matthew there whose specialises in Monaros and VXR8's. He seems quite a reasonable man, more of a technical guy than a hairy arsed mechanic lol. He's managed to fix the dashboard display issues on the VXR8 and a few other faults, mainly because the owner John Hutchings seemed to have one of the VXR8's with all the problems. I'm not sure about his Monaro experience but I've seen a couple there for services. They told me that before they couldn't sell Monaros and R8's because they didn't have the equipment or the knowledge but as soon as they got it they were allowed to become a dealer for them.
Luckily I've only had the water bottle leak and now this so I'll let you know if they sort it or waste my time.

Thanks again for the replies

Interesting, my display has variously cut out and gone a purple tinge. What was your issue?

It wasn't me who had the problem it was the dealers car.

However occasionally I get the digital speedo and the display in the rev counter flashing to solid white for a second and then normal again. I haven't got it checked because it doesn't happen enough to bother me.