major clutch problem

[800_Speed]

Yesterday I went to my car to drop my girl back off, and when I went to put it in reverse it was grinding real bad and took 3 or 4 tries to get it in. The cluch seemed real loose most of the way, and would stick right when I put the pedal all the way down... the first 5 mins of the drive I just couldn't get it to go in gear without really pushing on the shifter. I caught a real bad whiff of somethin burning (smelled like the clutch), and after a while it went away and the car was shifting fine, but the clutch still seemed pretty loose. It drove fine the rest of the night, and when I went to go to work this morning, the problem repeated. If I pump the clutch a bunch of times before I start driving anywhere it seems to alleviate it a bit... my supervisor says my clutch is probably slipping. Anyone else think this is the problem, or is it something else? I'm thinking about upgrading to an ACT 2100 if this clutch is shot, how much do you all think an install would cost for that? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

Check the fluid level in the reservoir (smaller one next to the brake reservoir).

If it's low (which I suspect it is), then check the clutch slave cylinder on the front of the tranny.......pull the boot back and if you see fluid, it's bad. Also check the clutch master cylinder.......look inside behind the pedals, you might need to pull the carpet back, if you see fluid dripping/draining in that area, it's bad.

Generally if one cylinder is bad, it's a good idea to replace both as the second one is not going to be far behind.


Let us know what you find.

 

[800_Speed]

Alright, I won't get to be able to check it until tomorrow afternoon... I'm stuck working a 36 hour shift I'll let you know what I find tomorrow. Thanks for the checklist.

 

[800_Speed]

Yeah, that was definitely the problem... I filled the fluid reservoir back up and its driving fine, getting the cylinders replaced on Tuesday. Thanks for the accurate and prompt diagnosis!

 

[robs90tsi]

Yeah, that was definitely the problem... I filled the fluid reservoir back up and its driving fine, getting the cylinders replaced on Tuesday. Thanks for the accurate and prompt diagnosis!

The system will need to be bled properly, from the sounds of it you are having someone else do it?

 

[800_Speed]

Yes indeed, they are gonna bleed it too.