Hello,
I'm new to the forum and have a question on my 06 HHR. I have about 80000 miles on it and love the car. Yesterday while slowing for a toll and then accelerating my clutch started to slip badly. I pulled over the side of the road and let the car rest for a half hour and air out the burning smell from the car. I then got back on the road for a two hour drive that included hills and interstate driving and had no further problem. What could be my problem and if it is in need of a clutch what do you think it should cost me. Thanks for any help, Harry.

 

Welcome to the site Harry! It sounds like you're looking at a clutch sooner than later. Why it partially engaged and slipped maybe the signs of a failing throwout bearing, weak springs on the pressure plate, or just accumulated mileage. 80k is a bit young for a clutch to go, I've had them go 250k with no issues, but the type of driving you do plays a big part. If the clutch isn't slipping right now I'd let it go for a while and see if the problem reoccurs or if it begins to slip constantly. Replacing the clutch is probably going to run in the neighborhood of $400-500, maybe more if a dealer does the work. You might want to have a quality transmission shop test drive your vehicle just to get an idea of where you stand. I'm sure others here will weigh in with more info for you.

 

Usually by the time you notice a slipping clutch, its really a goner. They can slip slightly, and you wouldn't even notice it, until!!!!! Why it would be intermittant, I couldn't say, but I'll bet the dealer would charge more than $400- $500. Maybe someone that has had to change one out could provide more information. I have to agree 80,000 miles does sound premature for a shot clutch. I've been fortunate, have had many standard transmission cars over the years, and currently my 2007 HHR, too, so far have never had to change a clutch.

 

Your issue might not be the clutch itself...these Getrag trannies have been known to have problems with the slave cylinder...at least on the VUE anyway.

A lot of VUE owners will flush and replace the clutch hydraulic fluid from time to time, they seem to think it will help the hydraulics last longer.

 

The HHR manual shift, shares the brake fluid in the master cylinder.

Yes & thorough flush (brakes & clutch) can extend some life to the cluches slave cylinder.
but if you are experiencing problems, & it's fluid related..........I'd say a flush is too late. Imo.

 

I didn't know that - even though it says in the owner's manual that it does, on the VUE there is a separate reservoir...

I agree, a flush won't fix it if the hydraulics are going bad - on the down side, they have to remove the trans to get to the slave cylinder on these trannies so the OP can expect to spend more than a grand to have it done if it is actually the issue. And it will likely take out the clutch in the meantime.

 

No, that is not necessary.

 

Once again - I guess I am no help as to replace the slave cylinder on the VUE you have to remove the trans...Since the HHR has the same trans, I thought that also would be the same...perhaps I should stick to talking about oil & spark plugs

 

Oil and spark plugs cause more confusion and argument on this site than anything else...... Just sayin'

 

Thanks folks for all the input. I'll try the test that was recommended, that being shift from 1st to 5th and see what happens. I'll check the fluid in the master cylinder also. Seems strange that the problem happened only once last week at a toll gate but not since. Thanks again for your help. Harry