Cjlarson14

So I've got a 1994 Honda Del Sol Si (D16z6) that is all stock. Drove around yesterday (4th of July) and had no issues whatsoever. Started it up this morning and went to pull out of my driveway when I noticed that the clutch did not engage until the pedal was about 90% the way down. Was on my way to work and had no other means to get there so I drove to work like this. On the way home it got worse, about 95% the way down, until I was about a mile from home and I had the pedal all the way down and the car was acting as if the clutch was engaging/disengaging consistently. On the 4th, when I was driving around, the pedal would engage the clutch about 50% the way down as it normally would and had been. The clutch is maybe a year old and was installed by Honda (OEM Clutch). I practically had to force into first gear to get home, although, when I did get home and turned the vehicle off, I could engage the clutch, about 80% the pedal down, and shift into any gear with no problems. Just got home a bit ago, have work in the morning, and no time to look at it until Monday. Thought I'd post this for input. Still looking for answers, but its late. Thanks in advance.

Burningrambo

I'd start by bleeding the Slave. I had my slowly go out until it wouldn't engage. That was a fun New Years at 3am. Thought I was going to kick through the firewall with how much I had to force the pedal.

SpokaneSpeed

^ Agreed. Sounds like you have an issue with either the slave cylinder or clutch master cylinder.

gzes

Yea it's gonna need the clutch to be bled. It's easy tho. You might have barely any fluid I the slave cylinder causing it to be hard or not want to go into gear

Cjlarson14

Yeah definitely first thing on my list. Clutch fluid is topped off. Not low or anything. Going to bleed it after work. I guess I don't get why it would shift with no problems while the car is off but then, not while the car is on. Any input?

instrument

No vacuum pressure when cars off....soooooooo

solblu

Sounds like you will need a new slave or clutch mc. It's usually the slave. Is your clutch fluid clear? It was when it came out of the bottle...

romansevo8

Also a good way to tell if its your clutch master cylinder, is by looking for leaks on or under the carpet by the clutch pedal.

SpokaneSpeed

Leaking clutch master cylinders don't typically leak INSIDE the car.... in my experience they bypass before they leak, but when they do leak its typically near the reservoir (on firewall of engine bay).

CO671

iTrader: (1)

Last time I checked, clutch masters don't have a booster, a vacuum hose, or any need for vacuum pressure.

Problems boil down to:
Clutch pedal
Master & Slave as well as the hoses connecting them + fluid
Clutch kit itself
Fork.... kinda unlikely, it doesn't get worn and torn like the others.


I'd start with a bleed like everybody else is mentioning.

Former User

Not true. Fluid leaking inside on the carpet from the master cylinder is very common for our Civics/Del Sols.

OP - my recommendation is that you replace both the master and slave cylinders and then bleed the system.

Former User

Exactly^. And if the clutch pedal did have a vacuum assist and it failed, then the symptom would be a hard pedal not a soft pedal.

Cjlarson14

Ok, so I've bled the crap out of my system, as stated. The pedal gives a bit and then just dies when the car is on. Meaning I push the pedal down and it has some some pressure push against my foot, and then just goes limp all the way to the floor. Shifting is still an issue. Clutch slave cylinder was replaced just a couple months ago by Honda. At the time, they stated that the whole system looked alright. Might go purchase a master cylinder then, just to be sure, and see if it solves my problem. As for fluid leaking on the carpet, this is not happening. Pulled the entire interior, including the dash out to be sure, and I was doing some wiring. Nothing there.

Former User

Yeah, just replace the MC and go from there. I suspect that, after the MC replacement, the soft pedal problem will be solved.

CO671

iTrader: (1)

YES^ I didn't catch that, leaking in the seal around the MC is very common. I had this issue with my 99 Civic and just ordered a new MC on RockAuto. Very easy install.