Maxima Gurus, Please see the detailed problem listed below. The clutch pedal pressure varies during the day.
--------------------------------
97 Nissan Maxima SE, 5 speed, 184416 miles presently (no mods done on the car, one owner, bought new at Buckeye Nissan June 1997)05/24/2008, 175 K miles Symptom: Could not shift the gears Solution: Mechanic replaced the Clutch slave cylinder Cost: $220 (parts and labor)
06/03/2008, 176 K miles Symptom: RPMs would increase but car would not go forward Solution: Mechanic replaced the clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing Cost: $1005 (parts and labor)11/17/2008, 184332 miles Symptom: Clutch pedal falls to the floor, Solution: Mechanic replaced Clutch Master Cylinder, bled the system Cost: $230 (parts and labor)
After all these repairs, the clutch pedal pressure is not constant. In the morning, when I get ready to go to work, the pedal offers very little resistance and as I drive around, the pedal pressure increases and becomes stiff. My work place is 15 miles South of my home. When I start the car back at 5 pm, the pedal is soft and it becomes stiff as I drive back home.
I have asked the Mechanic to check for leaks since this is indicative of a hydraulic leak somewhere in the line. I took the car back to him on Dec 1st and he thought the lines between Master/Slave had moisture in them.
12/01/2008, 184400 miles Symptom: Unstable clutch pedal pressure (varies) Solution: Mechanic replaced the lines between Master and Slave cylinder and bled the system Cost: Has not charged me yetThe clutch pedal pressure still varies as I drive in spite of all these repairs. He insists there are no leaks anywhere. The clutch hydraulic system has been bled twice.
All repairs above were done by the same mechanic. He says he cannot pinpoint the problem. Is this a hydraulic problem or a clutch problem?