Subject:
1994 Honda Civic DX
174k miles
Bone Stock

Problems:
Hard time putting into all gears once car sits for a while.
Clutch engaging very low.
Alomst no pressure in clutch pedal.


What could be the problem? Could it be low on tranny fluid and causing the clutch to engage very low and no pressure in the pedal, or is it just a bad worn out clutch.

How do I check the fluid level?

 

you either have:

improper pedal adjustment

or

leaking clutch lines/master cylinder.

See how low on clutch fluid you are....resevoir next to brake master cylinder resevoir. If you are low, you have a leak somewhere. First look at the soft lines off the resevoir for leaks. Then look under the dash at the master cylinder. It may be a leaky slave cylinder also, down on the tranny.

Find the leak, replace the part/tighten a hose, etc, and then fill with brake fluid and bleed the system

 

Well just check the clutch fluid and the reservoir is bone dry No visable leaks though.

What is the best oil to use to fill it up?

 

DOT3 brake fluid is fine.

No visible leaks...thats strange. The fluid has nowhere to go but out. Pull back the dust boot over the slave cylinder on the tranny and see if it has leaked inside the tranny. Follow the clutch lines from under the dash of the master cylinder, down to the slave cylinder looking for anything. Or, fill it up, bleed it, and then look for leaks again

 

Well for one I did detail the motor and wash off most of the grim in the engine bay so it's kinda hard to tell, so if it was already low I doubt that any more could have leaked out if anything is left in there, there is a good amount of built up on the tranny case towards the firewall .

I did try to look for "fresh fluid" but did not see anything.



Modified by futuresi at 12:15 AM 4/24/2004

 

OK I added some fluid and seems to be alot better!

Is there a write up on flushing the whole system and bleeding it?

 

I doubt it, but it's a 2 person job.

Fill it up with fluid....pump a few times, and then bleed like you do the brakes. I usually spend a few minutes bleeding the clutch to get it feeling as good as possible.

You have a leak somewhere...but where it is is the question

 

I will be keeping my eye out for a leak this week, is there a common spot at all?

Thanks for the help Emerika, I owe you a cold one

 

I've seen a few leak at the hose that connects the resevoir to the master cylinder.

I've also had a few slave cylinder seals go bad also.

And I've seen a few master cylinder piston seals go bad

Just gotta be on the lookout

 

Ok well just need an hour to find out where its coming from. It leaks from either the line out from the reservoir or the reservoir it self. Looks like some leaked down from the cap, do I need to replace the cap?

 

there's no pressure inside the cap to begin with....but it may still not seal well....

 

so is it more likely the line that is leaking or just the cap not sealing well?

 

line leaking somewhere....

 

Ok it's not the lines, wehn I looked inside the car it is where the clutch pedal is at, what is that part called?

When I push down on the clutch pedal a little fluid comes out where the rod enters. So what do I need to replace?

 

sounds like the master cylinder is shot. Simple repair....I'd just buy a used one, as a new one could be pretty expensive

 

I will get that replaced

 

I just ran into the same problem. stock 96 DX. After sitting parked for a little bit it won't come out of first. Have to pump the clutch pedal to get it working. Then after driving for a distance in one gear, it won't pull out of that gear. Guess I have some leak finding to do.

 

glad the post could help

 

Added fluid and looked for leak, couldn't find anything yet. Still does it after it sits but not anymore while driving.