4+3 hydraulic nightmares HELP!!!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Oakville
4+3 hydraulic nightmares HELP!!!
I need to tap you guys brain. I have been having clutch hydraulic issues and cannot figure out what is wrong, the car is an 85 4+3
1st clutch hydraulic did not function at all, I was told it was the master cylinder - it was replaced. Problem was still there
2nd- was told the slave was the culprit- changed that and problem still there
3rd - found out the clutch pedal was bent. Fixed that. Now I could drive the car. Everything seemed ok, except when the car was cold the clutch pedal would lose pressure every now and then. When I would drive around for a while it would be fine.
4th - changed the slave and lines again. I still have problems - the clutch seems to have great pressure, but after I pump it a few times the pressure disappears. And then comes back.
I called a local tranny shop and was told that my master is defective, can anyone advice me on what to check for? Is this correct? Or could it be that it has not been bleed properly? ( I am pretty sure the lines are purged of air)
Thanks for any help
1st clutch hydraulic did not function at all, I was told it was the master cylinder - it was replaced. Problem was still there
2nd- was told the slave was the culprit- changed that and problem still there
3rd - found out the clutch pedal was bent. Fixed that. Now I could drive the car. Everything seemed ok, except when the car was cold the clutch pedal would lose pressure every now and then. When I would drive around for a while it would be fine.
4th - changed the slave and lines again. I still have problems - the clutch seems to have great pressure, but after I pump it a few times the pressure disappears. And then comes back.
I called a local tranny shop and was told that my master is defective, can anyone advice me on what to check for? Is this correct? Or could it be that it has not been bleed properly? ( I am pretty sure the lines are purged of air)
Thanks for any help
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Langley B.C.
Sure sounds like it could still have air in the system.Is the hose in good shape,are all the connections tight and leak free so as to not pull air in after it is bled.They can be a real pia to get all the air out.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The bleed valve on the slave needs to be at the right angle so that air is not trapped. The system is supposed to be bled with the slave cylinder unbolted from the bellhousing and tilted so that the valve is at the lowest point.
Aftermarket cheapie (remanufactured) clutch master and slave cylinders are not the best in the world. The cylinder walls get corroded and honed out, then the pistons get turned so that there is too much clearance in order to have the seals keep fluid inside.
Older hoses can seep fluid and that is another cause of fluid loss.
Aftermarket cheapie (remanufactured) clutch master and slave cylinders are not the best in the world. The cylinder walls get corroded and honed out, then the pistons get turned so that there is too much clearance in order to have the seals keep fluid inside.
Older hoses can seep fluid and that is another cause of fluid loss.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Bleed it with the slave off the car, bleed line pointing up. Let the piston extend all the way out during bleeding. After you think you've got a rock solid pedal, close the bleed port and force the slave piston in by hand. (watch out for overflow from the master cylinder)
This will force all the air out into the m/c reservoir. Then bolt the slave up, stick the pushrod in, and slowly pump the pedal down until it's in snug, and top off the m/c.
This will force all the air out into the m/c reservoir. Then bolt the slave up, stick the pushrod in, and slowly pump the pedal down until it's in snug, and top off the m/c.