Clutch or cylinder?

gallaghb · Feb 29, 2016

Hi...
So was out laning the other day and on way home as I came off motorway and onto roundabout I noticed the clutch felt really low. Since then has been difficult to engage gear, sometimes worse than others. So bad at 1 point the day after that I stuck it in reverse and it started moving before I even lifted off the clutch had to brake and stall it! Got it home and it improved on the way back...

I know its symptoms of clutch going but never had it get better / worse like this so quickly, normally just slowly gets worse. Makes me wonder if its the slave cylinder or something like that - I don't know enough about it!

I had a look in fluid reservoir and could barely see fluid so topped it up but didn't made a difference. Would it need to be bled if its leaked or should it not even leak?

Thanks

sp00k · Feb 29, 2016

Sounds hydraulic to me. Topping up won't drive out the air, it will need bleeding and the source of the problem found.

As you were laning, could be physical damage to flexi or slave.

I would start with the cheap option of replacing the slave, flexi and master then see what happens.

Beyond that, it's a gearbox or engine out job.

tottot · Feb 29, 2016

If you cant see a leak it may be you have a slow weap of fluid in the system somewhere and a top up and bleed may sort it in the short term.Recommend the gravity method, just open bleed nipple and watch for air bubble free fluid coming out.

Brown · Mar 1, 2016

It's sounding to me a bit like one of the seals has gone in the master or slave cylinder or both.

Turboman · Mar 1, 2016

gallaghb said:
Hi...
So was out laning the other day and on way home as I came off motorway and onto roundabout I noticed the clutch felt really low. Since then has been difficult to engage gear, sometimes worse than others. So bad at 1 point the day after that I stuck it in reverse and it started moving before I even lifted off the clutch had to brake and stall it! Got it home and it improved on the way back...

I know its symptoms of clutch going but never had it get better / worse like this so quickly, normally just slowly gets worse. Makes me wonder if its the slave cylinder or something like that - I don't know enough about it!

I had a look in fluid reservoir and could barely see fluid so topped it up but didn't made a difference. Would it need to be bled if its leaked or should it not even leak?

Thanks

Any fluid in the footwell, or on the road under your motor?

gallaghb · Mar 1, 2016

No fluid under it... not clutch fluid anyway!
Is there a bleed nipple on the slave and master then? Did look under it Sunday for any signs of fluid.. but was just mud! But don't really know what I am looking at other than xfer box and gearbox. Think the slave is 1 side of gearbox right?

Turboman · Mar 1, 2016

gallaghb said:
No fluid under it... not clutch fluid anyway!
Is there a bleed nipple on the slave and master then? Did look under it Sunday for any signs of fluid.. but was just mud! But don't really know what I am looking at other than xfer box and gearbox. Think the slave is 1 side of gearbox right?

.Slave is down beside bell housing, and has a bleed nipple. Follow the pipe down from the master, you can check the pipe at the same time.
Master cylinder leak often shows as a small stain of fluid under or in front of pedal.

As with all leak finding, getting the vehicle pressure washed as clean as possible first will help.

gallaghb · Mar 1, 2016

Ok thanks, will have a look when I am home. Liking the possibility that it is the cylinder and not the clutch though as don't fancy doing that as a DIY on my drive.

Turboman · Mar 1, 2016

gallaghb said:
Ok thanks, will have a look when I am home. Liking the possibility that it is the cylinder and not the clutch though as don't fancy doing that as a DIY on my drive.

If you are losing fluid, there is a good chance it is hydraulic fault. And in any case, the clutch hydraulics are fairly cheap and quick, especially if you can isolate the failed component and replace.
When you have done it, try changing your clutch and brake fluid every year, that prevents a lot of hydraulic problems, and stops the nipples seizing solid.

Changing the clutch isnt a desperate job either, but it is quite a lot of unbolting stuff. You really want some kind of lifting gear to do it, gearbox is quite heavy when removed, so is the engine.

Shanec · Mar 1, 2016

Mine was clutch fork. If no ramp take engine out front .

Turboman · Mar 1, 2016

Shanec said:
Mine was clutch fork. If no ramp take engine out front .

Quite common for the rod to go through the arm. Hope you fitted a reinforced one.

blue beasty · Mar 1, 2016

Definitely sound hydraulic to me.

If the fluid was so low you could hardly see it it will definitely need bleeding. After topping up it might improve slightly with frequent use in the same way pumping the brakes does.

Is your wading plug fitted in the bottom of the bellhousing? If the slave is leaking that's where the fluid will come out.

Clutch or cylinder?

gallaghb

Active Member

sp00k

Well-Known Member

tottot

Well-Known Member

Brown

Well-Known Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

gallaghb

Active Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

gallaghb

Active Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

Shanec

Active Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

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