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How-To: Remove Clutch Delay Valve (CDV)

61841 Views 68 Replies 35 Participants Last post by  14rickeyj
How-To: Remove Clutch Delay Valve (CDV)


Overview:
Hello everyone and welcome to my first "How-To" ever. If you are clicking this you are probably looking for a solution to the common and quite annoying first to second grind in the M32 Manual transmission. Some people are reporting a grind from second to third and/or a grind from third to fourth, although less common the problem is still present and can make daily driving quite annoying. If you want to read more about as to why the grinding is present and other common problems with our manual transmission check out "XtremeRevolution" write up, that can be found here --> http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/10-gen1-powertrain/36617-cruze-manual-transmission-m32-issues.html. Many users have reported (Myself Included) that changing the transmission fluid to AMSOIL Syncromesh Manual Transmission fluid has helped not only the 1-2 grind but making shifting through all gears smoother. AMSOIL Severe Gear 75w-90 is also recommended if you are tuned and/or for more "spirited drivers". I would recommend doing that first or at the same time as removing the Clutch Delay valve (CDV). A good write up on how to do that can be found here --> http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/129-...627-how-change-manual-transmission-fluid.html.


The CDV is designed for less experienced drivers to help provide a soft/smooth clutch engagement. It makes the clutch easier to push in but engages the clutch slower and with less force resulting in slightly more clutch wear and a "grinding" feeling when trying to shift fast. It has it's benefits to new drivers but can be annoying to more experienced drivers who like to have a stiffer clutch and to shift fast. I have had the CDV removed for around 5000 KM with no bad effects and it is super easy to remove and costs nothing. It is one of the best "Mods" you could do to your Cruze. Lets get on with the removal...


Tools Required:
- A Blade Screwdriver or Butterknife or Pick or if all else fails Fingernails.
- Recommended but not required- Wheel Chocks


Procedure:
Park on flat level surface, set the parking brake and chock the wheels.


Pop the hood and look between the the engine and the battery. Between the charge pipes.



The hose connects to another plastic piece coming out of the transmission, on the end there is a "valve" to bleed the transmission fluid. That will be called the top of the "T" The bottom of the "T" will be the hose. Note, the following image was taken from underneath the car:


Between that hose and the top of the "T" will be the CDV.
This:


On each end of the CDV will have a clip that needs to be pulled out, careful the can pop and shoot out and are easy to lose. Just be careful prying them out with a small screwdriver.
Clip:


Once you remove each clip you can pull the CDV from the top of the "T" and remove it from the hose, installing the hose directly into the top of the "T" and install the clip. I don't have a picture of this because I have already done this procedure and did not want to install just to remove it again. If you need more help let me know and I will.

That's it, you are done. Take the car for a drive and after a few shifts it will be stiffer and you will notice less or no grind when shifting. You do not need to bleed the clutch during this procedure.

Enjoy the benefits of the quick and easy "mod"

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No fluid is lost when its disconnected?
You lose a few drops, but nothing alarming.
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How did you figure out where the delay valve was located? I've looked at parts diagrams and done lots of googling in the past and I couldn't find it.

I even started a thread on it earlier this year and got no helpful answers. http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/10-gen1-powertrain/175761-does-cruze-have-clutch-delay-valve.html
So is the CDV just a smaller orifice to inhibit fluid flow and cushion any sudden clutch pedal inputs?Never noticed the Cruze clutch being slow, but any of the stuff they designed into the clutch to make it "more refined" can go as far as I'm concerned!
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How did you figure out where the delay valve was located? I've looked at parts diagrams and done lots of googling in the past and I couldn't find it.

I even started a thread on it earlier this year and got no helpful answers. http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/10-gen1-powertrain/175761-does-cruze-have-clutch-delay-valve.html
I saw somebody post about it on the Facebook page, I didn't find it myself. I just understood what he was saying so I made a how to for others that were not understanding it.
So is the CDV just a smaller orifice to inhibit fluid flow and cushion any sudden clutch pedal inputs?Never noticed the Cruze clutch being slow, but any of the stuff they designed into the clutch to make it "more refined" can go as far as I'm concerned!
From my understanding it's for people learning how to drive a manual, makes the pedal less stiff and a little more "forgiving" when releasing it. It frels way better after removing.
I've already done this and Cam (ExtremePower) decided to do the write-up for it. Thanks for that btw. This mod does improve clutch pedal feel and allows you to get better control over the clutch pedal.

For anyone who has trouble with this DIY, just follow the clutch hose down to where the bleeder is. You'll see that little delay valve, pictured 2nd from the bottom in the original post, connected inline after the clutch hydraulic hose. This mod involves removing that delay valve and plugging the hydraulic hose straight into the clutch slave cylinder; thereby bypassing the delay valve and eliminating the restriction. Note that the Chevy Sonic does not have this delay valve; this was installed intentionally to help beginners learn how to drive a manual and can be safely removed. Just hang onto the clip in case you for some reason decide to reinstall it, although I can't fathom a reason.

I highly recommend this as an easy, free mod.
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I'll look into this one when it gets warmer (and I'm out of my power train warranty).
Just did this and it's extremely easy. All that's needed is a small pick, flat screw driver, etc., and an 11MM wrench to bleed with - not sure why the OP chose not to bleed but I did for good measure. Clutch feel change isn't night and day but it's more intuitive and I don't see how it would do anything but help for any driver worth their salt.
I think it's assumed that since you're dripping inside the line the whole time that there won't be any air bubbles during the process, but it sure won't hurt to bleed the system anyway.

Sent from my BlackBerry PRIV using Tapatalk
Thanks for the write up. I removed mine in 5 min with a flathead screwdriver and a rag. From my drive around the block the clutch felt much more responsive.
Subscribed, going to do this soon, I always hate the slack at the top of the pedal and no response from it, makes me feel like I am squishing a slushy
Great write up, I removed mine about a week ago after stumbling upon this post. Only took about 2 minutes to remove the CDV and reinstall the hose then maybe another 10 minutes to bleed the clutch. The pedal feel has increased slightly, definitely more responsive and predictable. However, my clutch fluid is pretty bad and needs to be changed. I suspect with better fluid the pedal feel after doing this would have been much more noticeable.

Since the removal i've noticed the clutch engages much smoother between shifts. I can physically drive the car through the gears much quicker which is nice for getting on the highway. Downshifting is so much smoother without the clutch delay. I can actually engage reverse when backing up only a short distance instead of having to slip the clutch then disengage it as soon as it engages. I agree that the removal should help extend the life of the clutch with normal driving conditions.

Easy, free, and definitely worth it for me
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Gen 2 looks similar. Will confirm in a little bit.

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I just had the manual tranny on my 13 cruise replaced. I think this is what it looks like. Are you sure the hose will reattach to the t junction?

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I did this over the weekend in all of 5-10 minutes. No more grind on the 1-2 shift, and the 2-3 shift is much less notchy. I would highly recommend it!
I did this over the weekend in all of 5-10 minutes. No more grind on the 1-2 shift, and the 2-3 shift is much less notchy. I would highly recommend it!
Give it time before concluding that your 1-2 grind is gone. Heat up the transmission a bit on some hard driving and warmer weather and you'll still hear that grind. The week after I did this on my car, I had a fellow Cruze owner riding that wanted to feel the power from the BNR tune and I got the 1-2 shift to grind twice in the same shift, with the clutch pedal firmly planted in the wall.

The only thing that actually fixed it was draining my AMSOIL Synchromesh out and putting AMSOIL 75w-90 GL-4 back in.
Give it time before concluding that your 1-2 grind is gone. Heat up the transmission a bit on some hard driving and warmer weather and you'll still hear that grind. The week after I did this on my car, I had a fellow Cruze owner riding that wanted to feel the power from the BNR tune and I got the 1-2 shift to grind twice in the same shift, with the clutch pedal firmly planted in the wall.

The only thing that actually fixed it was draining my AMSOIL Synchromesh out and putting AMSOIL 75w-90 GL-4 back in.
I'll keep that in mind, Andrei! I've got about 30,000 miles on the Synchromesh now, so it may be about time for a fluid change anyway.
I'll keep that in mind, Andrei! I've got about 30,000 miles on the Synchromesh now, so it may be about time for a fluid change anyway.
Yeah I agree, you're about due for a change.
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