Well something new started happening today. I push down on the clutch pedal and it has a hard time coming back up when I remove my foot. I tried pressing it in and out repeatedly and it helped a little, but still noticeable when driving that it doesn't "spring" back like it normally does when I take my foot of the clutch pedal. Also, shifting between gears is difficult. When I push in the clutch and try to shift, it is kind of hard to push it into gear. Like, for instance, if I was just sitting with the car turned off and parked, if I tried to put it into gear without the clutch pressed in, it is hard to do, this is how it feels when I am driving, especially at lower speeds, only with the clutch pedal pushed in. Even stalled out at a red light for some reason and it just wouldn't go into first gear. Don't know what is wrong, but I don't like it at all, and not something that can wait. I bought the car about 5 months ago. Already had a clutchmasters stage 3 (I believe) put in. I am use to the feel of the car, clutch, and gearing by now and something is definitely off. Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

It sounds like low clutch fluid or air if the lines. Bleed your clutch.

If that doesn't do it, then you can worry about more serious stuff like a bad clutch master cylinder.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JimBlake &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It sounds like low clutch fluid or air if the lines. Bleed your clutch.

If that doesn't do it, then you can worry about more serious stuff like a bad clutch master cylinder.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JimBlake &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It sounds like low clutch fluid or air if the lines. Bleed your clutch.

If that doesn't do it, then you can worry about more serious stuff like a bad clutch master cylinder.</TD></TR></TABLE>

what he said

 

look next to the brake master cylinder, there is a smaller one there for the clutch. make sure that has fluid, and is not leaking anywhere.

check for leaks under steering wheel where the clutch pedal is.

the system is closed, there is really no way to get air into it other than it getting extremely low and sucking in air from reservoir.

 

i am about to go outside to check it now before i go to work. if it appears low, is it as easy as buying clutch fluid and adding it to the reservoir? also, is it okay just to drive to work for now like it is, or bad idea
thanks for the help

 

Bleeding it means pumping fluid from the reservoir thru the lines & out the slave cylinder (down by the radiator). That flushes any air bubbles out from the system. It's a lot like bleeding brakes, but there's only one slave cylinder.

 

i can't seem to find the clutch reservoir. i am looking near te brake fluid reservoir, but don't see anyting for the clutch. where is it in the engine bay, any pics?

 

It looks like another (smaller) brake fluid reservoir, closer to the left fender. Actually it's mounted to the shock tower, with a short hose down to the clutch master cylinder. How can you miss it??

It's a '94 GSR, right? Any chance somebody installed an older tranny with a cable clutch??

 

its the lil cap right there on the right.

 

yah.. my problem was air int he clutch line. i ran out of clutch fulid and air just got in. bleed ur clutch line and it should be fine

 

i thought that was it, but when i read the cap (to the smaller reservoir) it said to use only dot3 or higher brake fluid and this threw me off, because it looked like the correct reservoir because it did have the braided line to the clutch master cylinder, but i don't know why the cap is talking about brake fluid then.

 

its a hydraulic system
brake fluid is basically hydraulic fluid.

 

yes, i just didn't realize that brake fluid was used, i thought there was specific fluid for the clutch master cylinder

 

well, it's below the min level - i can't even see any fluid in the reservoir at all. i will attempt to bleed the system and add more fluid. i guess i will do this just like bleeding the brakes, except there is no fluid in the reservoir at all, so should i add some initially before i start bleeding (otherwise i might just be pushing air through the system)? also, is it correct that the bleeder valve is shown, below, i bet my turbo will get in the way

 

That it! Get some clear tubing that fits tight on the bleeder, just like your brakes. Actually it looks like there's enough room. Add fluid to the reservoir, don't let it go empty. That's tough because the reservoir is so small. Loop some string behind the clutch pedal, because it won't spring back up from the floor.

Helper pumps the pedal, then holds it down. Then you open the bleed valve a bit, to let fluid out. When fluid stops, close the valve. Then helper pulls the pedal up smoothly with string and foot. Don't let the pedal snap suddenly up.

Repeat lots of times, but don't let the reservoir go empty.

 

its a pain in the ***

good luck

 

well, i got the clutch fluid flushed and refilled. the clutch is acting normally again, and shifting is not a problem. only problem is that now the clutch is catching a LOT higher than it used to. before, it would engage just as i began letting off the pedal, now it engages towards the very top, almost until my foot is off the pedal. how can I change this. it is very difficult to drive this way, throwing be off like crazy. I'm use the the clutch engaging very quickly and is throwing off my whole rhythm whily shifting, etc. can this be adjusted? thanks again

 

that happened to me to. make sure u get all the air out or less it will be messed up. right when it the pedal depressed close the valve when ur bleeding it.

 

as long as u have most of the air out of the line the brake fluid will absorbe any little bit that is left in there and the clutch will eventually go back to normal

 

yes, but how do I fix my new problem?

 

Maybe you adjust the pedal height & free play. There's an adjustment nut on the piston shaft, at the clutch pedal. But don't set it too low just because you're used to it being wrong...