Hi all just need a bit of advice whilst im waiting for a call back.

I broke down a little earlier when I noticed that my clutch pedal was engaging close to the floor, mile or so later couldn’t get it into gear so just rolled to the side of the road.

Knowing that the clutch is almost new (just over 18 months old with 4 month xmas off road break) I checked the fluid straight away, its low and very dark.

I can only assume at this point the master or slave cylinder has failed, but I’m hoping a bleed through with fresh fluid may help. I have some 5.1 in the boot following a stainless line brake upgrade the other week. I have topped up the reservoir without thinking about the mixture just to get me home, it looks like it’s done the trick albeit only just and I’m home.

my mechanic is now away for the weekend racing so was thinking about just trying to bleed it at home with fresh fluid.

Will this be a wasted effort based on the manky fluid that was already in there, I’m sure I spotted a couple of bits floating (seals)....

 

Check for any leaks, if ok then just flush through and off you go.

 

A bleed through has got to be worth a try. I'd put money on it being a fluid loss/air lock in the system. I had the same problem out of the blue on another car a few years back. Got in it to leave work and no clutch at all despite it being absolutely fine until then.

Is there evidence of fluid loss from the master or slave?

 

When did you last check your fluid? Months or years ago? There's not much in there but it shouldn't have lost a lot quickly, unless there's a leak?

Check for a weep in the master cylinder (footwell, behind the pedals - need to get your head right in there) a lot of them weep and after many months or years you could have emptied the reservoir?

Alternatively, underneath your car the slave could be leaking - Should be quick and easy to diagnose.

Bits floating in the reservoir wont necessary be seals - can be black stuff that comes in from the clutch.

 

Sounds like Master Cylinder failure.

Same thing happened to me about 4 months (5-6k miles) after a new clutch. I found Topping up and pumping the clutch would get it back for a little bit (enough to limp it to a garage).

 

Thanks for the replies. To be fair the last check would have been almost a year ago

I'll give it a thorough check for leaks ( I recall nipping the flexi on the gear box when u changed the clutch) so I will check the entire line

It's in limp mode now so can just about get about to get some fluid for a bleed up tomorrow night

If that fails tegiwa is only a few miles away and they beat the stealer on price for a master and slave cylinder (if req)

 

Oh now for the debate will sit 5.1 be ok or will that be bad for the seals. Lots of conflicting advise on the forum

 

As long as it's a mineral based fluid then it will be ok. I've heard reports of silicone based fluids killing seals.

A high DOT rating isn't essential for a clutch, If you're in any doubt put dot 4 in it

 

Cool thanks

 

Got 5.1 in mine and thinking of replace and flush it absorbs water moisture much faster than 4.
its in my clutch only..had it in 12 months now and time to do..5.1 is very thin out of the bottle.