QuestionQUESTION: All of a sudden, like the next day, my clutch pedal goes easily to the floor without engaging the clutch. Can you tell me where to look and what to do? Thanks, Brian
ANSWER: Hi Brian. Sounds like you have had a hydraulic clutch failure. Check these in sequence:
1) If the clutch master cylinder is still full of fluid, then the main rubber cup has failed inside the master cylinder. Either get a master cylinder rebuild kit, or replace the master cylinder.
2) If the clutch master cylinder is empty, then either the master cylinder has failed, or else the slave cylinder has failed.
3) If the driver's carpet is covered in brake fluid, then both seals in the master cylinder have failed. Replace the master cylinder, don't bother with rebuild kits.
4) If there is a puddle of hydraulic fluid underneath the car, behind the engine, then the clutch slave cylinder has failed. Either get a clutch slave cylinder rebuild kit or replace the slave cylinder.
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QUESTION: The master cyler was empty, but no puddle on the floor, or on driver's carpet. Could it just need bleeding? Thanks, Brian
AnswerHi Brian. If your master cylinder is empty, but there is no puddle, then you have a slow leak.
If you fill the master cylinder back up again and bleed the system, then the clutch might work again for a while, but it will continue to leak, and the problem will keep happening until you fix the leak.
I recommend that you fill the master cylinder with brake fluid (DOT4 specification) and then get a helper to pump the clutch pedal up and down while you look underneath the car to see where the fluid is coming out. It could be a weeping slave cylinder, or it could be a pinhole in the flexible hose that attaches to the slave cylinder. Also, get the helper to keep their eye on the clutch pedal, because there might be a small dribble of fluid from the master cylinder.
