Here's the deal. Yesterday I noticed the clutch pedal was feeling softer, engaging lower, and the first 1/3 of the clutch travel was almost resistance free. It's not slipping and shifting is still good. I looked at the clutch fluid reservoir, and it was pretty empty: level was low enough that you could see 2 separate paths for the fluid to go - if you know what I mean.

I searched around and didn't find any leaks along the whole path of the clutch line. The reservoir was always full (I check fluids regularly) and last time I checked was about 1.5 months ago - it was full. What this tells me is that the leak is fresh, and I should be able to spot where it is...but I didn't find anything convincing enough.

Two things I found:

1 - the clutch pedal piston has what looks like a small leak, but it looks like grease, not clutch fluid. Either way, it is a very small amount, much less than the amount of clutch fluid missing.

2 - there is a very very slow leak causing the boot on the shift linkage (where it meets the tranny) to be wet. This has been happening for all 3 years I've had the car, and I always assumed it was trans fluid. Again, this is very slow, it doesn't even drip just stays wet.









What I want to know: where is the fluid going?

Could it be leaking inside the tranny case where I can't see it? Other than the above- mentioned, there are no leaks on the tranny side.




Also, the fluid itself is very dark and murky...almost like grease. (Could it be mixing with the grease?) The picture was taken after I added some brake fluid to get the level up.



So, what do you say H-T...where is this mysterious clutch fluid going?

 

mine looked like that also. Flush the system and clean up those parts (or buy a new clutch) then monitor it and see if it gets dark again. Also check the clutch slave for leaks.

 

The leakage in the driver's footwell at the clutch piston rod means your master cylinder has failed. The filthy color of the fluid means your system needs to be drained, flushed a bit, both cylinders replaced, re-filled, and bled. Because the fluid is so old, its debris is causing seals in the two cylinders to fail. Hence it is customary to replace both the clutch master cylinder and the clutch slave cylinder at the same time. I did this job a month ago on my 93 Civic DX. A new CMC and new CSC cost a total of about $70 at NAPA. Bleeding is a little tricky. Post back for hints.

Given how low the fluid got in the reservoir, I would be concerned that the clutch hydraulic system is full of air. Use your own judgment, but without knowing more, I do not think I would drive the car, for fear I would suddenly lose clutch operation.

Check on and around the carpet in the driver's footwell and see if more clutch fluid is there.

What have you been using for tranny fluid? Honda OEM tranny fluid has a very distinct smell. So you might be able to narrow down what is leaking at the shift linkage boot via smell.

 

Thanks lioness, that helps a lot.

Do you think that the leak on the shift linkage could be related to the slave cylinder, or is it just a trans fluid seal leak?

 

If you are going to do the master and slave cyl check into a rebuild kits. They are usually cheaper.

 

The slave cylinder is pretty far from that boot, as I am sure you saw. I guess it is possible the slave cylinder is leaking and the leaked fluid makes its way along the chassis yada to a lower point where it then drips on the shift linkage boot. I would suspect first that you have leakage elsewhere in the car and yes maybe somehow from the tranny housing, given how low the fluid is in the clutch reservoir. Did you use new washers on the drain and fill bolts when you last changed the tranny fluid, say? That boot can get greasy from even a not too careful oil filter changeout, if memory serves.

Maybe go ahead and replace the CMC and CSC, clean everything off as best you can with some Simple Green cleaner (walmart), add fluid to the reservoir, bleed etc., and get a good firm clutch pedal. Then put cardboard underneath the car, monitor the reservoir level and watch for drips.

NAPA does not sell rebuilt CMCs or CSCs; it only sells new ones. I do not see much promise for finding a rebuilt kit, either, but maybe whirlybird can post a link.

 

^^Quoted for truth!

And the leaking on the linkage is going to require changing out the trans shift linkage seal...not exactly a fun one to do, but can be done.