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VEHICLES => PROJECT CARS/TRUCKS => Topic started by: m_fumich on February 20, 2019, 01:30:35 PM

Title: Hydraulic clutch problem
Post by: m_fumich on February 20, 2019, 01:30:35 PM: Due to a little change in plans, I don’t need to cannibalize my blue Mazda for my planned 323 build. It doesn’t need much to be drivable again. It has developed one problem since it was last driven. The clutch peddle goes straight to the floor. It’s not one of those systems that integrates the slave cylinder with the throwout bearing, thank goodness. There’s no fluid loss from the reservoir so no leak. I know it’s the clutch master cylinder or the slave cylinder. Before I start turning wrenches on this thing, I wanted to contemplate how to proceed with trouble shooting.

Here’s my idea....

Disconnect the line from the clutch master cylinder and put in a threaded plug. If the clutch peddle goes to the floor, the master cylinder is bad. If the master cylinder is good, I’ll have a stiff peddle and the slave cylinder must be bad.

Is that reasonable? Should I take a different approach?

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Title: Re: Hydraulic clutch problem
Post by: slip knot on February 20, 2019, 04:18:39 PM: you gotta get the air out first. I would just fill It back up with fluid and bleed the air out. If the slaves bad it will leak fluid out. if the master is bad it will bypass internally.
Title: Re: Hydraulic clutch problem
Post by: m_fumich on February 20, 2019, 04:42:36 PM: No fluid has leaked out. The reservoir was still full when I first noticed the problem. I suspected it was the master cylinder. This car has sat for so long, I might just replace the master, slave, and the hydraulic line between them.

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Title: Re: Hydraulic clutch problem
Post by: Matt_T on February 20, 2019, 05:21:27 PM: Quote from: slip knot on February 20, 2019, 04:18:39 PM
If the slaves bad it will leak fluid out. if the master is bad it will bypass internally.

Exactly. It's either the master cylinder or something mechanical. Get an assistant to work the pedal so you can see what is and isn't moving.
Title: Re: Hydraulic clutch problem
Post by: m_fumich on February 20, 2019, 05:29:22 PM: Quote from: Matt_T
Get an assistant to work the pedal so you can see what is and isn't moving.

Easier said than done. I have NO HELP.

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Title: Re: Hydraulic clutch problem
Post by: stokester on February 20, 2019, 05:53:04 PM: There should be some evidence of leaking either at the master or slave cylinder.

If not you'll have to disconnect one and push the pedal and look for the fluid.
Title: Re: Hydraulic clutch problem
Post by: m_fumich on February 20, 2019, 06:45:30 PM: If there were a leak, there should be fluid loss. There was no fluid loss when I first discovered the problem. Since the master cylinder is $25 and the slave cylinder is $20, I’ll probably just replace them both.

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Title: Re: Hydraulic clutch problem
Post by: stokester on February 20, 2019, 07:04:45 PM: Quote from: m_fumich on February 20, 2019, 06:45:30 PM
If there were a leak, there should be fluid loss. There was no fluid loss when I first discovered the problem. Since the master cylinder is $25 and the slave cylinder is $20, I’ll probably just replace them both.

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That's what I would do without evidence of cylinder failure, price is right.
Title: Re: Hydraulic clutch problem
Post by: Matt_T on February 20, 2019, 08:24:58 PM: Quote from: m_fumich on February 20, 2019, 05:29:22 PM
Easier said than done. I have NO HELP.

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You have a phone that'll record video ;)
Title: Re: Hydraulic clutch problem
Post by: m_fumich on February 20, 2019, 08:25:53 PM: Quote from: Matt_T on February 20, 2019, 08:24:58 PM

You have a phone that'll record video ;)

I do.

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