Clutch (again)

[WorAl]

Went to take the car out this morning and when i pressed the clutch there was no feedback untill it hit half way. Car just wouldnt go into gear at all.

I had the slave cylinder replaced last summer with the upgraded cylinder so not sure its that again. However, i've not written that off as a possibility.

Could it be the Master Cylinder? where is it? how do i check the level? and how do i repair any leaks?.

[Storer]

Sounds like air in the system. The master cylinder is under a black glass fiber cover on the drivers inner wing. You need to remove the plenum on that side, remove the 2 screws that hold the cover, cut through the sealant with a knife then gently prise up the cover (it will crack easily if you are not careful).

The clutch bleed nipple is under the front cover (which you remove) between windscreen and back of engine. It's on a long pipe and should be right in front of you.

This is a common problem. The pain is the mastic on the cover. You will need to replace it too.

[neilus]

If you have some pressure in the pedal it may just be the clutch fluid is a bit low. (This appears to have been the case with mine).

The reservoir is in the drivers side wing, you'll have to remove the cover that runs round the back of the engine bay and you should see a black cover which is sealed in. This is just below the brake fluid reservoir, you have to carefully cut away the mastic and undo a couple of screws to get it off. You'll probably have to remove the air box to do this. The reservoir is in there.

Good luck.

Neil.

Edited to say: Beaten to it

Edited by neilus on Friday 29th May 08:50

[WorAl]

is it easy to read the reservoir, i.e. will it be obvious the level is low? (if it is the fluid)

[high52kojak]

Yeah its easy to see if its empty, its basically just a small cylinder reservoir, if you cant see any fluid once the cap is off then its too low, fill it up to almost the top, on mine there was a little lip on the inside just below the surface to indicate the max level, its also printed on the outside.

[WorAl]

Excellent, thank you....now just one more question.....what causes the level to drop and how do i stop it (if this is the problem).

oh and what is the mastic? and where you get it from?

Ok, i lied, that was 4 questions.

[southendpier]

WorAl said:

Excellent, thank you....now just one more question.....what causes the level to drop and how do i stop it (if this is the problem).

oh and what is the mastic? and where you get it from?

Ok, i lied, that was 4 questions.

Mastic = bath sealant if you have any - although I think halfrauds sell proper car mastic. Get it in the in the right colour. Don't reseal until you are sure it isn't leaking, otherwise you will simply have to cut it out again. It's not that difficult just messy and annoying.

If you have a leak then the footwell is the place it usually shows IIRC. I had the master go on me and the clutch fingers (twice). but since all fixed I've had no troubles at all.

[high52kojak]

The level will drop if you have a worn/faulty master or slave cylinder or both maybe. Get in the footwell and look for any signs of fluid on the clutch pedal and shaft and carpet if its bad, pretty easy to spot. If alls dry there then its probably the slave cylinder in gearbox/bellhousing, look for drips of fluid on the floor under that area. Master clylinder is a fairly easy and cheap fix, slave a bigger more expensive job.
Yeah just some black silicon sealant for the cover.

WorAl said:

Excellent, thank you....now just one more question.....what causes the level to drop and how do i stop it (if this is the problem).

oh and what is the mastic? and where you get it from?

Ok, i lied, that was 4 questions.