Hi guys,

I wanted to get some opinions on my current issue. I have an 02 w 74k miles on it, original clutch as far as I know (I've had the car for 40k miles anyway). I got in the car yesterday to go to work and noticed that the clutch pedal gives next to no resistance until you are about 50 percent down all of the sudden. No slippage is happening in any gear under any load. But there is definitely play in the pedal that was not there before. I really do not want to replace the clutch if its not necessary. If anyone has any ideas or potential solutions for me I would really appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

 

first things first, check the clutch fluid level. If its low, top it off and then determine if your master or slave is leaking. Look around the carpet by the pedal and by the firewall in the engine bay and see if the slave is wet with fluid.

 

sounds like the fluid is low

 

Also if the clutch fork isnt greased properly it will be smoother(less effort) for some part of the travel and then stiffer towards the bottom...I made the mistake of not using the honda urea grease and mine feels like this right now...Its okay though I have a build coming this winter

 

I'm also having an issue. I have an ACT clutch kit/flywheel combo. Yesterday on my way home it developed a ton of slack in the pedal. Checked the fluid today and it was at the top, but really dirty.

Could a flush help the pedal feel normal again? It's really the strangest thing. It's only engaging/disengaging at the bottom 3" or so of the pedal swing. The top half at least is all slack and does nothing to engage the clutch like it used to.

 

Try replacing the fluid and maybe messing with the pedals adjustment.

 

itlyn, I can almost be certain when I say you have a master cyl leaking!

 

Mine felt the same, but I just bought my car used. I just adjusted the shift rod that is under the dash / pedal area, lengthening the rod a bit at a time until it felt best for me, this will help with the pedal orientation on engagement and disengagement. Mine occurred over time or perhaps wasn't adjusted properly in the past, so it worked for me. But if yours just happened all at once then I would suggest what the posters above have mentioned about a fluid leak. I can see it happening slowly over time but if it happens suddenly then it is a mechanical issue.

 

1) clutch fluid level
2) check master cylinder and slave cylinder for leaks
3) i'd recommend changing the master cylinder because they are known to go bad
4) make sure you install the master cylinder with sufficient lithium grease or urea grease on the rod
5) bleed the system
6) adjust the rod on the master cylinder for the clutch engagement feel you like best

 

How can I tell if the master is leaking? There was some fluid coming out from where the rod went into firewall, but it was barely any at all. Could it just need a fluid change? My clutch fluid looks awful at the moment and is extremely murky.