Theshandman
08-14-2023, 12:44 PM
Yesterday in the Atlanta area, it was painfully hot (96-ish). I drove my Cobra from home up to the NW side of Lake Lanier, near where the Chestatee River feeds into that lake. Approaching hwy 53 & 400 there was a stuck red flashing traffic signal that resulted in a one mile backup on 53 east bound and 1/2 hour inch by inch approach to the light. You better believe it was hot with the high temp, the sun beating down and no breeze. I kept a close eye on the water temp which with the rad fan continually running never got above 75C according to the SpeedHut gauge. Ok, the cooling system is working well.
Finally cleared the light and just beyond is Big-D's BBQ. An oasis! In for a sandwich and a frosty Coke in blissful air conditioning. Then back out to complete the trip. As I exited the parking lot on to Hwy 53, the clutch ped went to the floor with a sickening mush feel (first time I've experienced that symptom, but I only have 700 miles to date) with the trans 'stuck' in 1st gear. Killed the ignition and rolled back into the parking lot. Raised the hood, checked the clutch res but saw no issue with the fluid level. Ahh, I thought, must be the hydroscopic aspect of the hyd clutch fluid; the water vapor must have boiled and killed the compression factor of the fluid, a thought made even more believable by the fact the cockpit tranny cover was too hot to keep a hand on for more than a second.
Just about then, Andy H, an Atlanta Cobra Club member rolled up in his family car, got out and said "I drive a Cobra and whenever I see one parked I have to get out and chat up the driver, especially when I see the car's hood open". What a great guy. We talked about what was going on and he agreed the issue was steam in the line thanks to the heat. "Give it 10 minutes to 'cool' down a bit and you'll be fine. And oh by the way, I'm a car mechanic, live a few miles down the road with a pretty complete garage. If things are worse than expected, call me and we'll come get your Cobra, bring it to my garage and fix whatever ain't right". I gave it 10 minutes to cool down and yep, clutch action was back to norm. This weekend it'll be new Dot3 and a re-bleed. Man, I love the Cobra Car Community!
Finally cleared the light and just beyond is Big-D's BBQ. An oasis! In for a sandwich and a frosty Coke in blissful air conditioning. Then back out to complete the trip. As I exited the parking lot on to Hwy 53, the clutch ped went to the floor with a sickening mush feel (first time I've experienced that symptom, but I only have 700 miles to date) with the trans 'stuck' in 1st gear. Killed the ignition and rolled back into the parking lot. Raised the hood, checked the clutch res but saw no issue with the fluid level. Ahh, I thought, must be the hydroscopic aspect of the hyd clutch fluid; the water vapor must have boiled and killed the compression factor of the fluid, a thought made even more believable by the fact the cockpit tranny cover was too hot to keep a hand on for more than a second.
Just about then, Andy H, an Atlanta Cobra Club member rolled up in his family car, got out and said "I drive a Cobra and whenever I see one parked I have to get out and chat up the driver, especially when I see the car's hood open". What a great guy. We talked about what was going on and he agreed the issue was steam in the line thanks to the heat. "Give it 10 minutes to 'cool' down a bit and you'll be fine. And oh by the way, I'm a car mechanic, live a few miles down the road with a pretty complete garage. If things are worse than expected, call me and we'll come get your Cobra, bring it to my garage and fix whatever ain't right". I gave it 10 minutes to cool down and yep, clutch action was back to norm. This weekend it'll be new Dot3 and a re-bleed. Man, I love the Cobra Car Community!