2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a 5-speed
Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500 miles,
had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy when the
clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out the
hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in 2003
Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in the
car's lifetime.

Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased with my
first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda after
considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).

As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch went
soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all. Stranded -
again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can fix
again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.

Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly here (or
am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the point
of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

"News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
5-speed
> Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500 miles,
> had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy when
the
> clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out the
> hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in 2003
> Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in the
> car's lifetime.
>
> Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased with
my
> first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda
after
> considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
>
> As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch
went
> soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
Stranded -
> again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can fix
> again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
>
> Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly here
(or
> am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the
point
> of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
>
>
I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a problem
with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly. Sounds
like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

"News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
5-speed
> Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500 miles,
> had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy when
the
> clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out the
> hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in 2003
> Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in the
> car's lifetime.
>
> Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased with
my
> first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda
after
> considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
>
> As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch
went
> soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
Stranded -
> again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can fix
> again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
>
> Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly here
(or
> am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the
point
> of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
>
>
I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a problem
with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly. Sounds
like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

"News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
5-speed
> Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500 miles,
> had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy when
the
> clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out the
> hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in 2003
> Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in the
> car's lifetime.
>
> Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased with
my
> first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda
after
> considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
>
> As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch
went
> soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
Stranded -
> again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can fix
> again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
>
> Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly here
(or
> am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the
point
> of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
>
>
I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a problem
with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly. Sounds
like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

Think I will do that - just irks me that an initial hydraulic clutch master
would fail without provocation after only 7K miles.....

And off we go.....

"Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:5Ulkb.79960$sp2.21@lakeread04...
>
> "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> > wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
> 5-speed
> > Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500
miles,
> > had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy when
> the
> > clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out the
> > hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> > manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in 2003
> > Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in
the
> > car's lifetime.
> >
> > Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased with
> my
> > first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda
> after
> > considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
> >
> > As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch
> went
> > soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
> Stranded -
> > again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can
fix
> > again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
> >
> > Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly here
> (or
> > am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the
> point
> > of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> > 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
> >
> >
> I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
> TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a problem
> with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
> slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly. Sounds
> like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
> should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
> >
>
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

Think I will do that - just irks me that an initial hydraulic clutch master
would fail without provocation after only 7K miles.....

And off we go.....

"Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:5Ulkb.79960$sp2.21@lakeread04...
>
> "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> > wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
> 5-speed
> > Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500
miles,
> > had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy when
> the
> > clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out the
> > hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> > manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in 2003
> > Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in
the
> > car's lifetime.
> >
> > Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased with
> my
> > first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda
> after
> > considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
> >
> > As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch
> went
> > soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
> Stranded -
> > again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can
fix
> > again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
> >
> > Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly here
> (or
> > am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the
> point
> > of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> > 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
> >
> >
> I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
> TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a problem
> with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
> slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly. Sounds
> like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
> should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
> >
>
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

Think I will do that - just irks me that an initial hydraulic clutch master
would fail without provocation after only 7K miles.....

And off we go.....

"Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:5Ulkb.79960$sp2.21@lakeread04...
>
> "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> > wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
> 5-speed
> > Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500
miles,
> > had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy when
> the
> > clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out the
> > hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> > manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in 2003
> > Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in
the
> > car's lifetime.
> >
> > Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased with
> my
> > first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda
> after
> > considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
> >
> > As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch
> went
> > soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
> Stranded -
> > again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can
fix
> > again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
> >
> > Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly here
> (or
> > am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the
> point
> > of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> > 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
> >
> >
> I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
> TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a problem
> with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
> slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly. Sounds
> like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
> should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
> >
>
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

More--- The hydraulic clutch set-up has been around for years. The British
sports cars of the 50s & 60s had that set-up and it was generally pretty
reliable. Most of the time when they leaked they were rebuilt. Nowadays
they replace the entire unit -- at least that what the Nissan folks did with
a 5 spd Maxima I had 10 years ago. I have never heard of a failure like
yours ever. I would certainly write to Honda about it and the dealer
obviously did not get it right.
\
"News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:rFmkb.2498$Uz6.739@newsread1.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> Think I will do that - just irks me that an initial hydraulic clutch
master
> would fail without provocation after only 7K miles.....
>
> And off we go.....
>
> "Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:5Ulkb.79960$sp2.21@lakeread04...
> >
> > "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > > After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> > > wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
> > 5-speed
> > > Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500
> miles,
> > > had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy
when
> > the
> > > clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out
the
> > > hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> > > manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in
2003
> > > Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in
> the
> > > car's lifetime.
> > >
> > > Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased
with
> > my
> > > first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda
> > after
> > > considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
> > >
> > > As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch
> > went
> > > soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
> > Stranded -
> > > again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can
> fix
> > > again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
> > >
> > > Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly
here
> > (or
> > > am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the
> > point
> > > of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> > > 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
> > >
> > >
> > I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
> > TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a
problem
> > with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
> > slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly.
Sounds
> > like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
> > should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

More--- The hydraulic clutch set-up has been around for years. The British
sports cars of the 50s & 60s had that set-up and it was generally pretty
reliable. Most of the time when they leaked they were rebuilt. Nowadays
they replace the entire unit -- at least that what the Nissan folks did with
a 5 spd Maxima I had 10 years ago. I have never heard of a failure like
yours ever. I would certainly write to Honda about it and the dealer
obviously did not get it right.
\
"News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:rFmkb.2498$Uz6.739@newsread1.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> Think I will do that - just irks me that an initial hydraulic clutch
master
> would fail without provocation after only 7K miles.....
>
> And off we go.....
>
> "Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:5Ulkb.79960$sp2.21@lakeread04...
> >
> > "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > > After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> > > wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
> > 5-speed
> > > Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500
> miles,
> > > had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy
when
> > the
> > > clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out
the
> > > hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> > > manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in
2003
> > > Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in
> the
> > > car's lifetime.
> > >
> > > Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased
with
> > my
> > > first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda
> > after
> > > considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
> > >
> > > As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch
> > went
> > > soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
> > Stranded -
> > > again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can
> fix
> > > again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
> > >
> > > Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly
here
> > (or
> > > am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the
> > point
> > > of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> > > 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
> > >
> > >
> > I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
> > TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a
problem
> > with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
> > slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly.
Sounds
> > like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
> > should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

More--- The hydraulic clutch set-up has been around for years. The British
sports cars of the 50s & 60s had that set-up and it was generally pretty
reliable. Most of the time when they leaked they were rebuilt. Nowadays
they replace the entire unit -- at least that what the Nissan folks did with
a 5 spd Maxima I had 10 years ago. I have never heard of a failure like
yours ever. I would certainly write to Honda about it and the dealer
obviously did not get it right.
\
"News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:rFmkb.2498$Uz6.739@newsread1.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> Think I will do that - just irks me that an initial hydraulic clutch
master
> would fail without provocation after only 7K miles.....
>
> And off we go.....
>
> "Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:5Ulkb.79960$sp2.21@lakeread04...
> >
> > "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > > After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> > > wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
> > 5-speed
> > > Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500
> miles,
> > > had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy
when
> > the
> > > clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out
the
> > > hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> > > manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in
2003
> > > Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in
> the
> > > car's lifetime.
> > >
> > > Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased
with
> > my
> > > first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda
> > after
> > > considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
> > >
> > > As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch
> > went
> > > soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
> > Stranded -
> > > again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can
> fix
> > > again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
> > >
> > > Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly
here
> > (or
> > > am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the
> > point
> > > of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> > > 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
> > >
> > >
> > I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
> > TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a
problem
> > with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
> > slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly.
Sounds
> > like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
> > should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

I plan on writing Honda this week - firstly, about it going bad so early in
the lifetime of the car - and I drive very meticulously, even with a
5-speed.

The second issue is the dealership that fixed the first one (I hope,
anyway), and in which the issue again came back not 20 minutes after I drove
off the dealer's lot.

I am still in shock that an apparent design flaw/defect like this happened
in a brand new Honda. Looks like my confidence may have been misplaced.

Anyway, at least a have a sprightly Ford Focus as a rental courtesy of Honda
(kinda fun to drive, but what an econocar that thing is).

"Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:iVBkb.80194$sp2.3257@lakeread04...
> More--- The hydraulic clutch set-up has been around for years. The
British
> sports cars of the 50s & 60s had that set-up and it was generally pretty
> reliable. Most of the time when they leaked they were rebuilt. Nowadays
> they replace the entire unit -- at least that what the Nissan folks did
with
> a 5 spd Maxima I had 10 years ago. I have never heard of a failure like
> yours ever. I would certainly write to Honda about it and the dealer
> obviously did not get it right.
> \
> "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:rFmkb.2498$Uz6.739@newsread1.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > Think I will do that - just irks me that an initial hydraulic clutch
> master
> > would fail without provocation after only 7K miles.....
> >
> > And off we go.....
> >
> > "Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
> > news:5Ulkb.79960$sp2.21@lakeread04...
> > >
> > > "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > > news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > > > After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I
was
> > > > wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
> > > 5-speed
> > > > Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500
> > miles,
> > > > had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy
> when
> > > the
> > > > clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out
> the
> > > > hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> > > > manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in
> 2003
> > > > Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early
in
> > the
> > > > car's lifetime.
> > > >
> > > > Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased
> with
> > > my
> > > > first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on
Honda
> > > after
> > > > considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
> > > >
> > > > As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the
clutch
> > > went
> > > > soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
> > > Stranded -
> > > > again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they
can
> > fix
> > > > again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
> > > >
> > > > Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly
> here
> > > (or
> > > > am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to
the
> > > point
> > > > of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with
a
> > > > 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
> > > TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a
> problem
> > > with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
> > > slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly.
> Sounds
> > > like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
> > > should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

I plan on writing Honda this week - firstly, about it going bad so early in
the lifetime of the car - and I drive very meticulously, even with a
5-speed.

The second issue is the dealership that fixed the first one (I hope,
anyway), and in which the issue again came back not 20 minutes after I drove
off the dealer's lot.

I am still in shock that an apparent design flaw/defect like this happened
in a brand new Honda. Looks like my confidence may have been misplaced.

Anyway, at least a have a sprightly Ford Focus as a rental courtesy of Honda
(kinda fun to drive, but what an econocar that thing is).

"Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:iVBkb.80194$sp2.3257@lakeread04...
> More--- The hydraulic clutch set-up has been around for years. The
British
> sports cars of the 50s & 60s had that set-up and it was generally pretty
> reliable. Most of the time when they leaked they were rebuilt. Nowadays
> they replace the entire unit -- at least that what the Nissan folks did
with
> a 5 spd Maxima I had 10 years ago. I have never heard of a failure like
> yours ever. I would certainly write to Honda about it and the dealer
> obviously did not get it right.
> \
> "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:rFmkb.2498$Uz6.739@newsread1.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > Think I will do that - just irks me that an initial hydraulic clutch
> master
> > would fail without provocation after only 7K miles.....
> >
> > And off we go.....
> >
> > "Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
> > news:5Ulkb.79960$sp2.21@lakeread04...
> > >
> > > "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > > news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > > > After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I
was
> > > > wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
> > > 5-speed
> > > > Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500
> > miles,
> > > > had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy
> when
> > > the
> > > > clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out
> the
> > > > hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> > > > manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in
> 2003
> > > > Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early
in
> > the
> > > > car's lifetime.
> > > >
> > > > Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased
> with
> > > my
> > > > first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on
Honda
> > > after
> > > > considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
> > > >
> > > > As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the
clutch
> > > went
> > > > soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
> > > Stranded -
> > > > again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they
can
> > fix
> > > > again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
> > > >
> > > > Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly
> here
> > > (or
> > > > am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to
the
> > > point
> > > > of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with
a
> > > > 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
> > > TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a
> problem
> > > with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
> > > slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly.
> Sounds
> > > like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
> > > should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

I plan on writing Honda this week - firstly, about it going bad so early in
the lifetime of the car - and I drive very meticulously, even with a
5-speed.

The second issue is the dealership that fixed the first one (I hope,
anyway), and in which the issue again came back not 20 minutes after I drove
off the dealer's lot.

I am still in shock that an apparent design flaw/defect like this happened
in a brand new Honda. Looks like my confidence may have been misplaced.

Anyway, at least a have a sprightly Ford Focus as a rental courtesy of Honda
(kinda fun to drive, but what an econocar that thing is).

"Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:iVBkb.80194$sp2.3257@lakeread04...
> More--- The hydraulic clutch set-up has been around for years. The
British
> sports cars of the 50s & 60s had that set-up and it was generally pretty
> reliable. Most of the time when they leaked they were rebuilt. Nowadays
> they replace the entire unit -- at least that what the Nissan folks did
with
> a 5 spd Maxima I had 10 years ago. I have never heard of a failure like
> yours ever. I would certainly write to Honda about it and the dealer
> obviously did not get it right.
> \
> "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:rFmkb.2498$Uz6.739@newsread1.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > Think I will do that - just irks me that an initial hydraulic clutch
> master
> > would fail without provocation after only 7K miles.....
> >
> > And off we go.....
> >
> > "Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
> > news:5Ulkb.79960$sp2.21@lakeread04...
> > >
> > > "News Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > > news:9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> > > > After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I
was
> > > > wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a
> > > 5-speed
> > > > Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500
> > miles,
> > > > had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy
> when
> > > the
> > > > clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out
> the
> > > > hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> > > > manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in
> 2003
> > > > Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early
in
> > the
> > > > car's lifetime.
> > > >
> > > > Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased
> with
> > > my
> > > > first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on
Honda
> > > after
> > > > considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
> > > >
> > > > As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the
clutch
> > > went
> > > > soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all.
> > > Stranded -
> > > > again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they
can
> > fix
> > > > again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
> > > >
> > > > Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly
> here
> > > (or
> > > > am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to
the
> > > point
> > > > of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with
a
> > > > 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > I have owned a 5 speed Accord before (a 99) and currently have a 01.
> > > TPrelude -- plus we have a 5 spd Civic in the family. Never had a
> problem
> > > with the clutch master or slave cylinders. Usually they start leaking
> > > slowly at around 60 or so thousand miles and don't fail suddenly.
> Sounds
> > > like a really inept dealer. The setup is akin to your brake system and
> > > should not be that difficult to fix. I would try another dealer.
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

In article <9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.n et>, "News
Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote:

> After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a 5-speed
> Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500 miles,
> had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy when the
> clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out the
> hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in 2003
> Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in the
> car's lifetime.
>
> Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased with my
> first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda after
> considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
>
> As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch went
> soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all. Stranded -
> again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can fix
> again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
>
> Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly here (or
> am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the point
> of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.

Your vehicle is still under warranty--let the dealer do the work. If you
do it yourself or hire a private mechanic to do it--Honda will use this as
an escuse to not do work on the specific problem.

Re: 2003 Accord EX Coupe - hydraulic cluctch issue?
 

In article <9qbkb.2170$W16.332@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.n et>, "News
Scout" <scoutnews@earthlink.net> wrote:

> After searching several forums and this NG for a similar issue, I was
> wondering if anyone has experienced a hydraulic leaking issue with a 5-speed
> Accord EX? I picked this car up in March this year, drove it 7,500 miles,
> had already performed the initial oil change, and was plenty happy when the
> clutch went totally soft this week while driving to work. Turns out the
> hydraulic pump for the clutch leaked (the dealer said it was a
> manufacturer's defect) and needed to be replaced. With a broken-in 2003
> Honda, I was blown away something like this could go wrong so early in the
> car's lifetime.
>
> Anyway, they fixed it and I was happy, although somewhat displeased with my
> first Honda ever (after several bad GM experiences, I decided on Honda after
> considering a Toyota Solara and Nissan Altima).
>
> As luck would have it, ten minutes after I left the dealer, the clutch went
> soft again and I could not get the 5-speed into any gear at all. Stranded -
> again. The 2003 Accord is being loaded now onto a flatbed so they can fix
> again, and I will surely need a rental car for a few days.
>
> Sorry for the diatribe, but I must be the sole statistical anomaly here (or
> am I) - has anyone else seen a hydraulic clutch go bad (leaking to the point
> of ensuring you cannot get into gear) on a 2003 Accord EX coupe with a
> 5-speed? This is the standard 2.4L engine obviously.

Your vehicle is still under warranty--let the dealer do the work. If you
do it yourself or hire a private mechanic to do it--Honda will use this as
an escuse to not do work on the specific problem.