Clutch/Brake fluid reservoir leak

[mtharrison]

Hi, I have a 2014 Mk7 Golf Match Tdi (30,000 miles).

It has been in local mechanic's this week after I first noticed the pedal was stuck to the floor one day. He recovered the vehicle to his garage and noticed the brake/clutch reservoir was empty so filled it, the pedal came back, and then asked me to run it for a week. After just 3 days the reservoir is half-empty again and it's visibly leaking from an area around the reservoir in the bonnet (I estimate this from location of puddle on tarmac). When the fluid is topped up the car drives fine and clutch feels ok (maybe a slightly low bite though).

I called back the garage and he recommends replacing the clutch and is getting me some prices.

I'm not at all knowledgable about cars, however after some basic reading and watching YouTube videos, I understand the clutch itself is activated by a hydraulic system that has several parts including master and slave cylinder connected by a line. As far as I can see there's no fluid involved with the actual clutch itself, so I don't understand why the symptoms I'm experiencing indicate a replacement of the clutch. Isn't it more likely that fluid is leaking from one of those other components?

To someone who knows about these things, does my problem indicate that the clutch that needs replacing? How would you approach getting this resolved if not?

Edited by mtharrison on Tuesday 22 September 11:04

[GreenV8S]

The term 'clutch' can mean different things depending on the context.

It's often used to refer to the mechanical friction plate assembly that is bolted to the engine. That's often expensive to replace and there's no reason to think there's any problem with it in your case.

Your problem seems to be associated with the reservoir, master cylinder, slave cylinder or plumbing between them. It will be obvious to the mechanic which of these is leaking and I expect the quote will be for that specific repair. If it isn't obvious from the quote what it covers, talk to the person who supplied it.

[mtharrison]

The quote was £795+VAT so I assume it is indeed the expensive parts you refer to that he is suggesting to replace. However I will ask for the exact parts, thanks for the suggestion

[Chris32345]

A new clutch will not solve the issue your is with a fluid leak

That being said I'm guessing it's a concentric slave cylinder inside the gearbox

So that means take the gearbox out so with be. ABIT stupid to not change the clutch while you are in there

[phumy]

It is possibly one of two small washers that form the seal between the reservoir and the master cylinder, what happens is the mastercylinder holes get a little rusty and they "burst" the seal between the master cylinder and the reservoir. The grommet/washer cost pence to buy and the job would take less than an hour to do. Its happened to me before. Easy job, as long as you know what youre doing and you keep everything clean around the master cylinder holes.

Other than that feel your carpet undet the driver side dash, if its wet then its the master cylider leaking into your car, this was/is a faily common fault on Audi/VW cars in the early days.

[Tony1963]

Chris32345 said:

A new clutch will not solve the issue your is with a fluid leak

That being said I'm guessing it's a concentric slave cylinder inside the gearbox

So that means take the gearbox out so with be. ABIT stupid to not change the clutch while you are in there

OP says he can see fluid leaking, so I doubt it’s hidden away in the gearbox.

[E-bmw]

Simple answer.

Never go back there again, take it somewhere else to get it sorted.

[stevieturbo]

So you can see it leak...and the garage want you to replace something else ?

Weird.

Fix the leak, and take things from there.

[mtharrison]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to get a 2nd opinion from another garage. I'm not sure if it's an internal or external slave which I suppose would make a difference as to whether they recommend replacing clutch. However it seems a bit too much to replace a part that isn't defective just because you have access?

I can't see the source of the leak directly but I can see where the fluid lands on the pavement and it's around the area directly below the clutch pedal/reservoir.

[stevieturbo]

mtharrison said:

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to get a 2nd opinion from another garage. I'm not sure if it's an internal or external slave which I suppose would make a difference as to whether they recommend replacing clutch. However it seems a bit too much to replace a part that isn't defective just because you have access?

I can't see the source of the leak directly but I can see where the fluid lands on the pavement and it's around the area directly below the clutch pedal/reservoir.

Which would make it completely irrelevant to the slave or clutch itself.

Find the leak, fix the leak.

[phumy]

mtharrison said:

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to get a 2nd opinion from another garage. I'm not sure if it's an internal or external slave which I suppose would make a difference as to whether they recommend replacing clutch. However it seems a bit too much to replace a part that isn't defective just because you have access?

I can't see the source of the leak directly but I can see where the fluid lands on the pavement and it's around the area directly below the clutch pedal/reservoir.

Did you actually read my post further back up the page?

[mtharrison]

phumy said:

Did you actually read my post further back up the page?

I certainly did, thanks for posting! Sounds like a good theory indeed. I really do not know what I'm doing though so I doubt I'd be able to troubleshoot or fix this myself but I will mention it to whoever I find to have a look at it and point them in that direction.

[mtharrison]

Here's what I can see:

[phumy]

Just wondering how you got on with this?

[mtharrison]

Thanks for the reminder, I meant to update.

I took it to another garage and he said the issue was the concentric slave cylinder inside the transmission. The fluid was leaking onto the tray under the car and then the pooling was coming out of the lowest point of the tray.

He also suggested while in there it was worth replacing the 3 part clutch and dual mass flywheel as it was already 6 years old. The guy was very detailed in his explanation of the work and seemed professional so I told him to go ahead.

The cost breakdown was:

dmf - 368
clutch - 255
bolts - 8
labour - 150
oil - 9

ttl (inc VAT) £949

Was more than I was expecting but happy the work was carried out quickly and I assume to a high standard. The car has been good since.

[InitialDave]

Yes, if it's the concentric slave cylinder leaking, doing the clutch itself while you're in there is often sensible, you have to do 99% of the work involved either way.