clutch fluid
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
clutch fluid level
About 6 weeks ago I had posted that I had trouble getting into 1rst gear on a cold start. It turned out the hydraulic (DOT 3) fluid was almost empty in the slave cylinder and completely gone in the master cylinder. The garage
checked this out and could find NO leaks - everything was "bone dry" so they surmised that the alcohol in the fluid had evaporated over a long time and thats why it was so low. Sorta made sense (although I couldn't imagine the provious owner going thru this, as he had regular service intervals done).
After driving only about 400 miles since the clutch fluid was bled/changed out, I noticed the fluid today was below the "add" mark on the master cylinder! (plus it was fairly dark). There has to be a leak somewhere, I can;t believe the garage looked hard and couldn't find anything.
My questions: Where are typical leak points in the hydraulic system if nothiung can be seen on the outside? Is this kind of thing expensive to fix?
If so, would it be ok & safe to simply top off the fluid whenver needed (at my rate its about once a month)?
Thanks everybody! :D
[Modified by bradvette, 2:29 PM 10/17/2002]
checked this out and could find NO leaks - everything was "bone dry" so they surmised that the alcohol in the fluid had evaporated over a long time and thats why it was so low. Sorta made sense (although I couldn't imagine the provious owner going thru this, as he had regular service intervals done).
After driving only about 400 miles since the clutch fluid was bled/changed out, I noticed the fluid today was below the "add" mark on the master cylinder! (plus it was fairly dark). There has to be a leak somewhere, I can;t believe the garage looked hard and couldn't find anything.
My questions: Where are typical leak points in the hydraulic system if nothiung can be seen on the outside? Is this kind of thing expensive to fix?
If so, would it be ok & safe to simply top off the fluid whenver needed (at my rate its about once a month)?
Thanks everybody! :D
[Modified by bradvette, 2:29 PM 10/17/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: clutch fluid level (bradvette)
I had a bad slave cylinder that leaked fluid through the slave shaft seal and into the bellhousing. Other places it will leak are into the passenger compartment above the drivers feet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: clutch fluid level (bradvette)
The system is just the master cylinder , a hose and a slave cylinder. One of the three must be leaking if your fluid level is going down. The slave cylinder is down by the bell housing on the driver's side. You can remove it by removing the two bolts holding it on. You'll see the hose that leads to the clutch master cylinder, mounted on the driver side fire wall below the brake master cylinder. If it was my car, I'd just replace the entire system. The $15 Haynes manual has a good step by step explaination on how to replace everything.
Eric
Eric
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Leesburg VA
Re: clutch fluid level (bradvette)
So you were able to get the cap off your reservoir? I'm working on replacing my clutch in my '94 (the trans is back in) and I was going to top the system off b4 pressing the pedal. The cap will not budge. :confused:
I also am experiencing a slow leak refill every 6 to 9 months, but I only ever add enough to take it to the fill line with the vapor barrier in. The slave cylinder and line at the bottom was completely dry on the outside (not visibly leaking). The line at the master cylinder was also dry. Nothing is dripping on my feet inside the car. It is just slightly damp at the intersection of the reservoir to master cylinder. I just don't know if that was because I was trying so hard to get the cap off, or if it has been leaking there all along. There are no drip marks under it. Arrrg.
All projects take 3 times as long as planned.
I also am experiencing a slow leak refill every 6 to 9 months, but I only ever add enough to take it to the fill line with the vapor barrier in. The slave cylinder and line at the bottom was completely dry on the outside (not visibly leaking). The line at the master cylinder was also dry. Nothing is dripping on my feet inside the car. It is just slightly damp at the intersection of the reservoir to master cylinder. I just don't know if that was because I was trying so hard to get the cap off, or if it has been leaking there all along. There are no drip marks under it. Arrrg.
All projects take 3 times as long as planned.
