Leaking clutch fluid
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Leaking clutch fluid
Hi all,
l have a 1990 model with a six speed, l am just about to replace the clutch with a twin plate mcleod, as the standard one is slipping that bad that l can hardly drive the car.
l noticed today that the clutch fluid level is low, and l only filled it up 100 miles ago, so l wanted to know is it possible that the fluid is leaking around the fly wheel/clutch plate causing it to slip.
If not where would the most likely place it would lossing fluid from?
Any help would be appreciated (before l pull the box out friday)
Thanks Getsom (Australia)
l have a 1990 model with a six speed, l am just about to replace the clutch with a twin plate mcleod, as the standard one is slipping that bad that l can hardly drive the car.
l noticed today that the clutch fluid level is low, and l only filled it up 100 miles ago, so l wanted to know is it possible that the fluid is leaking around the fly wheel/clutch plate causing it to slip.
If not where would the most likely place it would lossing fluid from?
Any help would be appreciated (before l pull the box out friday)
Thanks Getsom (Australia)
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,024
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From: Stratford Ontario
The leak is either at the master cylinder or at the slave cylinder. If you don't see drips under the car the leak will likely be at the master. It usually leaks on the inside of the car. I don't know if a leaking slave could cause clutch slippage. I've had two leaking slaves and never had a problem with the actual clutch operation.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,297
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Originally Posted by -=Iron Mike=-
The leak is either at the master cylinder or at the slave cylinder. If you don't see drips under the car the leak will likely be at the master. It usually leaks on the inside of the car. I don't know if a leaking slave could cause clutch slippage. I've had two leaking slaves and never had a problem with the actual clutch operation.
I just went through this last week. Clutch started to feel funny and had a few hard shifts. Checked my master fluid and it was way down. Noticed a thin stain of oil below master so I popped the footwell panel and felt around for wet spots 
Sure enough the fluid was bypassing the seals and ending up inside.
I rebuilt it
and now it's working better than it ever has. 
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 653
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From: Northern New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by ld85
Are the ZF's hydraulics prone to leaks, seems like a lot of posts lately about leaking?
I replaced the clutch master and 2 slave cylinders(new one leaked after a week) in the last month.
The leaking slave seems to be common problem with these cars.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,024
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
Originally Posted by ruby9246
I replaced the clutch master and 2 slave cylinders(new one leaked after a week) in the last month.
The leaking slave seems to be common problem with these cars.
The leaking slave seems to be common problem with these cars.
Mine was the exact same. (over seven months though.)
I'm paranoid everytime I push the pedal in now.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 66
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Anyone know what it costs to have these things done? My clutch is kinda slipping on my '90 6speed. It feels like I'm riding the clutch. I put fluid in it a month or two ago, and it worked great....now its slipping again.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by Ronstrap01
Anyone know what it costs to have these things done? My clutch is kinda slipping on my '90 6speed. It feels like I'm riding the clutch. I put fluid in it a month or two ago, and it worked great....now its slipping again.
Master $150.00 + labor
Slave $99.00 + labor.
However, from your description it sounds like your clutch is going.
If the master or slave were leaking or bad you would experience hard shifting and the clutch would not completely disengage when the pedal is down. If your clutch starts slipping with only a litte pressure on the pedal, its shot.
Just had my clutch done locally $1570.(included throw out brearing and new rear engine seal).
