I've been having an issue over the last week where when I turn the car on all is fine while with shifting through all gears. Clutch bite point is about halfway up the throw of the pedal, and all feels good. While I'm driving, though, the bite point gets lower and lower until I can no longer disengage the clutch because the release point is below the floor. I'm at a loss. I think if it were a problem with the clutch/pressure plate it should be consistent. I replaced the fluid and bled the system, and again, it felt good until I drove it around a bit, and it did the exact same thing. The pedal felt good, and slowly got worse and worse. By the end of a short drive it is extremely hard to get the car out of gear, and to shift into any other gear. Has anyone had this issue before? Any idea what it could be? Thanks!

 

Would a change in the crankshaft thrust cause this? Maybe as it heats up?

 

Is your clutch hydraulic fluid disappearing?

 

Bingo

 

Not a drop. Completely full every time I check it.

 

Your master or slave cylinder(s) may have an internal sealing issue. Maybe the problem shows itself as the fluid becomes hotter and less viscous.

It may be worth it to:

-get underneath the car and measure/observe the amount of clutch fork movement when the car is cold.

-get the car warmed up so that the problem shows itself.

-then get underneath the car and check how far the clutch fork is moving again.

What type of fluid are you using?

 

From what I am understanding, the problem happens after driving a while. If the car is let to sit, the problem goes away? Or do you actually have to re-bleed the fluid for the issue to go away?

When the engagement point goes too low...does pumping the clutch help the situation?

 

The problem quickly goes away after even 10 minutes of sitting. Stays "better" for a couple of shifts, then right back to being bad again.

 

Ok. After the engagement point goes too low...you can turn the car off to let the car sit, and the engagement point is back to normal on its own.

Then it goes to shit again after a little bit of driving.

Is that correct?

 

It's either your clutch master cylinder or your slave cylinder. My bet would be your CMC. Did you drain it completely and wipe the gunk out of the bottom of the reservoir the last time you bled it? You might have an obstruction that isn't letting the fluid flow.