Clutch fluid level?

[lear60man]

Here is an easy one for you guys. How do you check the fluid for the clutch? I found the res. and looked inside. The fluid was at the bottom. Is there a Min/Max level line inside?
Thanks,
95 S4

[lotusguy]

Hi,

There is both a minimum fill and a maximum fill line cast on the outside of the clutch master cylinder. You want to keep the fluid level between these two marks, but must judge the level against these outside marks.

If your level is at the bottom of the master, as you state, you are low. But more importantly, you probably have introduced air into the system by letting it get that low. The only way to be sure the system is air-free is to bleed the system. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[mikelr]

You also might want to find out where the fluid that is missing went!

[lotusguy]

mikelr said:

You also might want to find out where the fluid that is missing went!

Mike,

You make an excellent point, but, there isn't necessarily a need for alarm, I do agree the need exists to verify that point.

Low fluid can be caused by many factors, including a leak as you allude to. But, it also can be the product of air being pushed out of a system which was not properly bled, or even evaporation.

Brake fluid will/does evaporate. And if not checked and topped up occaisionally, over time a sufficient amount will evaoprate through the weep hole in the Master Cylinder's top. But to have done so indicates that the level has not been checked for a very long time.

It's a very good practice to remove the top of the Master and check the fluid level every month. This will also alert you to any leaks which may develop. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[sanj]

lotusguy said:

Brake fluid will/does evaporate. And if not checked and topped up occaisionally, over time a sufficient amount will evaoprate through the weep hole in the Master Cylinder's top. But to have done so indicates that the level has not been checked for a very long time.

Hi Jim,

I'm really glad to hear this, as I recently discovered that my clutch master was very low on fluid, with no indication of a leak anywhere. I'm ashamed to admit I hadn't checked it in quite some time. I'll be more diligent in the future...

Cheers,
Sanj

[lear60man]

Thanks for help. I didn't think it was a leak because the car sits in a garage with a spotless floor. It has never dripped anything ever. But the last service was over a year ago thus, that was the last time it was checked. I had noticed that over the last couple of months or so that more and more pedal travel was required to engage the clutch. So it was a gradual thing. Anyway filled the res to the full mark, bled the system and problem sorted!