[Tim M]

2018 SS 1LE may have had a dual mass flywheel failure.

Car had 6 inch puddle of thicker than oil spot beneath the trans to engine juncture (800 miles after a shortblock refresh).

Next drive, nothing.

Next drive oil residue under the same location as well as within the bellhousing (seen thru the rear facing ventilation holes on the bottom).

Then chassis dynoed the car and nothing underneath (1400 miles).

Oil would certainly point toward a rear main seal, cover, etc leak. But the 'goo' that initially came out was not engine oil.

I've also noticed the car a bit jerky when on very light throttle off and on play as you cruise in higher gears...almost like there is delay before the drivetrain slacks is taken up.

No slippage at anytime...

Anyone else have a similar experience?

[easttxss]

There have been pics of the flywheel leaking "oil". I think you are on the right track and it needing a new flywheel. It does contain a viscous fluid and has a dampening effect on the driveline.

[Tim M]

easttxss: Thanks for the response.

For Christmas, I've ordered a new OEM flywheel/clutch package from Rock Auto...$1150 shipped to Germany. I'm quite happy with the OEM feel and performance so keeping it stock. I'd like to trouble shoot it a bit more, but if I've got to take the trans off - I'm doing something for the effort!

[oldman]

I did not know the l1e has a DMF, my SS has a twin disk and I'm pretty sure the plate between them has no liquid. If there is no change in clutch feel, I say you have a leak in the rear main seal or the main seal plate and or the bolts to the plate have come loose. trans fluid I think is just red like ATF... but it has been a while.

[Tim M]

oldman: A rear main seal would be so much cheaper to repair although then our engine build woudn't be leak free - bragging. ;-)



It definitely is a two piece flywheel with some sort of damping element between them. And I'm not referring to the pressure plate and floater setup.

The black goo that I wiped up was far thicker than engine oil...we'll know in a month or two if it was a waste of time. Ha!

Image of the pressure plate clutch pack complete (old):

[oldman]

yep I guess so, it does look like a DMF, I know that sucker is heavy. I really like the stock feel and I've been thinking of going with a ZL1 clutch next.... but now maybe a complete clutch flywheel upgrade maybe my thinking...it looks like most / all aftermarket clutches come with a solid light weight flywheel. Like I said I was thinking stock ZL1 but really don't like DMFs (now I have even more reason not to like them).

[Tim M]

Definitely the flywheel failing...



Laying on 35 degree floor is unpleasant and getting the trans to drop enough to slide out is a royal pain...



Halfway at least!

[easttxss]

Are you going to try and disassemble the flywheel completely? I would like to see exactly where the fluid leaks from as I have only seen pics like the one you posted above.

[easttxss]

Originally Posted by oldman

yep I guess so, it does look like a DMF, I know that sucker is heavy. I really like the stock feel and I've been thinking of going with a ZL1 clutch next.... but now maybe a complete clutch flywheel upgrade maybe my thinking...it looks like most / all aftermarket clutches come with a solid light weight flywheel. Like I said I was thinking stock ZL1 but really don't like DMFs (now I have even more reason not to like them).

The SS and the ZL1 take the same clutch and flywheel.

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by easttxss

The SS and the ZL1 take the same clutch and flywheel.

They do not. I see a different part number for the zl1 clutch. Flywheel is the same. While possibly not apples to apples I’ve driven an LT4 in a c7 z06 and it did take slightly more effort to push the clutch in which makes sense since that clutch has to hold more torque.

[Tim M]

easttxss: I may in the future when our machine shop is open as I don't believe the pieces are designed to be separated.

After sitting overnight...quite a mess:



Old versus new:



Flywheel weight:



Going back together this weekend...but snow on the ground means another 6 weeks! That trans is a pain to remove...

[easttxss]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

They do not. I see a different part number for the zl1 clutch. Flywheel is the same. While possibly not apples to apples I’ve driven an LT4 in a c7 z06 and it did take slightly more effort to push the clutch in which makes sense since that clutch has to hold more torque.

You are correct. I looked them up but something must not have switched over when I changed engines.


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