I have already searched this numerous times and havent exactly been able to pinpoint the problem. Over the past week my clutch has had a lot more free-play to it before it engages. Usually it has only about half an inch or so but now it goes about half way down before it engages making it hard to shift. I have checked the fluid levels and my clutch resevoir is below minimum. Im going to refill that tommorow but checking the master cylinder it seems to be wet and im wondering if thats the issue that there is a leak. Any one else have this happen? Would bleeding it be a possible solution.

b.t.w. I dont think its the release spring since it does not get stuck after pushing down.

 

"Usually it has only about half an inch or so but now it goes about half way down before it engages making it hard to shift."

did you mean the clutch engages half way up?

 

no pushing down, it goes half way down with no pressure before it engages

 

Your master or slave cylinder is bad. Find out which one is leaking and replace it. If your master cylinder is wet... then I'd bet that's your problem. BTW- I'd replace that ASAP cause they generally seem to die quickly and at the worest time... (In the middle of rush hour traffic in the case of our old Datsun 280Z)

 

yea it happened out of nowhere, actually on the way home from mcdonalds, went from a little free-play on the clutch to a lot...couldnt finish my big-mac! o well im going to have it looked at tom. will let you know what it was

 

Same problem happened to me and I found out my slave cylinder is leaking. I have since then replaced it but it still has freeplay. So much freeplay that I can not even shift.
Any other suggestions? I have watched the fluid level closely and it has not dropped since I have changed the slave so there should not be a leak.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kupras &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no pushing down, it goes half way down with no pressure before it engages</TD></TR></TABLE>You press the pedal down to DISengage the clutch. So does it actually disengage about halfway down (about normal)?

Or does it only begin to have any resistance to the pedal halfway down? Then the clutch actually disengages a lot closer to the floor (not normal).

 

Jim, it only has resistance halfway down...it sucks this morning I tried to move the car, couldnt even get it into gear without grinding. It appears to be the master clutch cylinder. Am going to order both master and slave cylinder today. Is it hard to do yourself?

 

First, bleed the clutch - it might be just air in the lines. If that fixes it, you still have to find out where & why it leaked out in the first place. The slave is easy to replace - it's right there between the radiator fan & the engine. The master looks like a PITA only because there's not much room to work. (I haven't done one yet...)

Otherwise, after bleeding, check that the throw-out fork moves an inch when someone pushes the pedal down. If the fork actually moves properly, your problem MIGHT be something broken in the pressure plate or clutch disk. Don't replace the hydraulic system until you convince yourself that's where the problem really is.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EXspeedyaDOTCOM &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Same problem happened to me and I found out my slave cylinder is leaking. I have since then replaced it but it still has freeplay. So much freeplay that I can not even shift.
Any other suggestions? I have watched the fluid level closely and it has not dropped since I have changed the slave so there should not be a leak.</TD></TR></TABLE>There's adjustments on pedal height & free-play. Check the Helm book... I don't remember the details.

 

alright just a little update before i get the parts, I was able to pump the clutch to get some of the air out and put the car back in gear. Is this ok for the mean time to ride like this? I also added the brake fluid to the reserve but by mistake spilt some of that oopss..i washed it off so hopefully it doesnt crack the paint inside. anyhow does 117 seem alright for the two cylinder parts?

 

$117 seems fair for both as long as they are OEM. Job is easy to do yourself and it shouldn't take you a TON of time to do. IMHO I wouldn't drive it like it is... you're just asking for a tow....