Have I gotten off lightly? Clutch "issues"

[996TT02]

Noticed overflow at the front Pentosin reservoir (PAS).

Thought it may have been overfilled, but reading up, I realise that this is a symptom of clutch slave failure, that there is another reservoir at the rear for the clutch proper (clutch and PAS on Turbo share same assistance, for all you NA guys) and that when the clutch slave starts playing up fluid migrates to the front PAS reservoir causing it to overflow.

Anyway I checked the rear res at it was overfilled too, rather than underfilled as would have happened. After following the procedure (starting from cold and running for 20s) I again took a measurement and the level was still far too high, the mini-dipstick was all wet.

Removed around 150cc nominal from the rear to get the level down to the "cold" marker on the dipper.

Anyone reckon that's the end of it? That the reason for the spill at the front was the ridiculous overfill at the rear? Or is this just incidental, and I still need to check the slave?

Accumulator OK, it takes 17 pumps of the clutch for it to lose pressure and the pedal to go hard (OK ranges from 10 - 35 pumps)

Thoughts?

Thanks guys.

[Rockster]

996TT02 said:

Noticed overflow at the front Pentosin reservoir (PAS).

Thought it may have been overfilled, but reading up, I realise that this is a symptom of clutch slave failure, that there is another reservoir at the rear for the clutch proper (clutch and PAS on Turbo share same assistance, for all you NA guys) and that when the clutch slave starts playing up fluid migrates to the front PAS reservoir causing it to overflow.

Anyway I checked the rear res at it was overfilled too, rather than underfilled as would have happened. After following the procedure (starting from cold and running for 20s) I again took a measurement and the level was still far too high, the mini-dipstick was all wet.

Removed around 150cc nominal from the rear to get the level down to the "cold" marker on the dipper.

Anyone reckon that's the end of it? That the reason for the spill at the front was the ridiculous overfill at the rear? Or is this just incidental, and I still need to check the slave?

Accumulator OK, it takes 17 pumps of the clutch for it to lose pressure and the pedal to go hard (OK ranges from 10 - 35 pumps)

Thoughts?

Thanks guys.

First if any Pentosin fluid gets on anything remove it/wash it away immediately.

Next with the engine off turning the steering wheel or using the clutch will cause the level in the rear (engine compartment) tank to rise.

So, you have to be sure the fluid levels are ok.

Avoid turning the steering wheel or using the clutch with the engine off. My technique would be to be sure the wheel is straight ahead and then start and run the cold (approx. 20C) engine 20 seconds. Turn off the engine.

At the rear reservoir carefully remove the cap and wipe off the dipstick. Close then reopen the cap. The fluid level should be in the "cold range" (min/max) at 20C. Top up if not. Do not add too much Pentosin. In the warmed up condition the fluid should not exceed the "Hot max" mark.

Be sure you have the *right* reservoir when checking the clutch fluid level in the front of the car. My info is the brake fluid reservoir cap is yellow, the clutch fluid reservoir cap is green and the washer reservoir cap is blue.

But be sure you have it correct for your car!

The level in the front reservoir should be between the Min and Max marks.

There is no need to add fluid unless or until the fluid level is at the low mark.

If the level is low hold the reservoir as you remove the cap then add Pentosin up to the Max mark. Hold the reservoir as you install and secure the cap.

If the fluid level in the front reservoir rises the clutch slave cylinder is going bad. Eventually the level will rise far enough that fluid will be forced out and stain the top of the plastic panel over the reservoir.

I have no experience with any variability for the number of times of depressing the clutch pedal for the clutch pedal action to get hard. My experience was after the car had sat overnight the pedal was hard to depress. It was easy to depress once the engine started and had run a few seconds. (The power circuit test calls out for a 20 second engine run time.)

Also, while the engine was idling with some pressure on the clutch pedal I could feel light pulsing which was from the pump.

I suspect the clutch slave cylinder is going out.

Check with your favorite tech to get a professonal's diagnosis. Also, ask him what he recommends you do about the accumulator. What is the extra cost (and any savings) of replacing it while doing the slave cylinder vs. the cost of doing the accumulator at some later date when it manifests clear sign of being bad.