Clutch fluid - where's it coming from?

[davidn]

Had the car a few weeks, took out the drivers carpet mat and the foam backing was full of clutch fluid. Had a good look and a feel all around pedal box area but all dry.
Checked the master cylinder reservoir paractically empty with some black specs in the fluid. I've topped it up and checked it every day since, the fluid level hasn't dropped (over a week and 400 miles)but I'm still getting fresh clutch fluid in the footwell.
It's going back to the dealers on Tuesday for potential slave and master but I'm confused as to why the level in the reservoir isn't dropping but it's definitely leaking.
Checked the brake master too but level hasn't dropped.
Any ideas?

David

[GreenV8S]

I don't see how that can be anything other than a failed seal on either the clutch or brake master cylinder. Watch out by the way if you get any of this stuff on your hands or clothes - it's nasty stuff, it'll take paint off and rot clothing.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Its the seals in the master cylinder. Have they been changed before you got your car? If so it could be some left over fluid, if not its the master cylinder seals on their way out.

PM me if you want to do the job yourself. I did this a few weeks back.

[Davidn]

Thanks for the replies,
Slave rebuilt couple of years ago so probably on it's way out, don't know about master. Thought it might be fluid from previous failure but mopped it up and still getting fresh fluid.
Extra 300: It's going back to the dealer tomorrow but thanks for the info, I did read your posts on changing the seals - very useful. Hopefully it should get sorted under warranty.
Cheers
David

[Extra 300 Driver]

Davidn said:

Thanks for the replies, Slave rebuilt couple of years ago so probably on it's way out, don't know about master. Thought it might be fluid from previous failure but mopped it up and still getting fresh fluid. Extra 300: It's going back to the dealer tomorrow but thanks for the info, I did read your posts on changing the seals - very useful. Hopefully it should get sorted under warranty. Cheers David

Warranty for sure.

If its around the footwell, then its the master. Have you also checked the brake fluid?

[davidn]

Yep, checked brake fluid level over the period of a week, no change in level or feel in pedal.
Did a couple of hundred miles over the weekend, more fluid on the floor but still the level in the master hasn't dropped.
Oh well taking it in today.
Thanks
David

[Jasper Gilder]

Don't wish to be the voice of doom, but slave and master cylider problems often presages the deimse of the clutch - should have a nice light feel, if you need super muscles to get the pedal down it's on its way out and the seals have gone in sympathy....