My clutch was fine up untill about 2 days ago. I noticed a weakness in the pedal, and it has to be pressed in 80% before engaging. 2 days prior it was at 50% in before engaging. My clutch does not slip when i hit 9k rpms, and takes off fine. I CANNOT put the car in reverse while it is on. I have to turn it off to shift into reverse. It is VERY hard to get into any of the gears, especially 1st. I have almost no pressure from the clutch pedal. My car is a ap1 00' with 66k miles. No smells, leaks from the engine bay. It wasnt gradual, all this happend in about 1 day, with nor hard driving!

What the hell is going on?

 

Check the reservoir and take note of the fluid levels. If you can get under the car you can check the slave cylinder to see if its leaking. Pull the seal back and see if fluid comes out.. There can be a internal leak thats not visible because of the boot. Another thing that comes to mind is that there can be air in the system.. Either way it wouldnt hurt to bleed the system.

 

Milk Bubble...I love your handle.
And I agree with his assessment. I had the same issues.

 

Thanks for the compliment Courageoo7

The way I see it... The clutch not slipping is a indication that the pressure plate is in good shape and that the diaphragm spring is providing good tension. Since the problem effects the engagment height of the pedel and that it degraded so much in 2 days leads me to point the finger at the hydraulic system. You can put the car up on jackstands and have a assistant pump the clutch pedal while your under viewing the action (if any) of the slave cylinder and shift fork. While your at it you can also check your transmission fluids.

 

Your clutch engages when you press down on your clutch pedal 80%

 

I went to a buddies shop and he popped the cap open on the clutch fluid. IT was almost gone, and had none left, he said there is probably air in the lines. He fills the resoivoir (spelling) up and immediately the car is able to shift into any gear. The pedal is still loose, and he said it would work itself out over time, if there is a leak it will drain and i will have same symptoms again. I have to keep an eye on it now.

And yes....when it was low you had to press the pedal for the clutch down 80% 0f its 100% length to engage the drivetrain. I hate when jackasses nit pick my words when you know exactly what i mean.

 

1st off, play nice. second off if you press the pedal 80% in, thats to disengage the clutch.

my resevoir was leaking too. it is a warranty issue, and if your car is still under warranty, the dealer has to fix it. I just had my clutch and brake resevoir replaced 2 weeks ago.

good luck and hopefully your clutch will be back to normal

 

 

I wouldnt just fill up the master cylinder after discovering that the reservoir was empty. Thats not a acceptable solution IMO. It would be the time to investigate the source of the leak and repair it. The fluid had to go somewhere and it should be obvious considering how much was gone. Once you get the leak repaired, have the system bled and dont just add the fluid. Any air in the system gives you a spongy feel. Remember.. you can compress air but not DOT 3..
Heres how to bleed the system:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=118878

Good luck
CHad

 

first off let me appologize to racer, yesterday wasnt the best of days for me! My car did this, and on top of that i had 1 hour to get to class for a major exam :-)

We filled up the clutch fluid all the way, but kept the old fluid in there. Im gonna take it to honda to have it flushed. If my clutch was going out, would it disengage more towards the bottom, and engage more towards the top?

Currently my foot has to be pressed in a bit to disengage the clutch, and not far at all to engage it again? If my clutch was going i think the clutch pedal would be all the way out almost and not engaging right?