Clutch Fluid Leak [Merged 4-9] leaking master slave

[jesterbot]

Hey guys, I just bought my first DSM and have a little problem...

I drove it back from Denver to Houston this weekend and at the end of our trip, we noticed the clutch was sticking. You could pull it back up manually and it would work, but it would stick again soon after.

We checked the clutch/tranny fluid and found the reservoir empty. We filled it up, pumped the clutch and the reservoir level did not drop. Noticed a slow leak on the underbody. After driving it for a few minutes, the same thing happened again... clutch stuck, checked levels, and found the reservoir low (but not empty). Refilled. Same thing again.

I am a total novice here, and a good friend who races DSM's offered to work on it with me this weekend, but I was curious if there was something I could do to it myself with only standard tools and a minimal of work (not because I'm lazy, but I want to avoid breaking things).

Any ideas, help?

Thanks!!

 

[Auto RS T]

If the slave clyinder (on tranny) was leaking there would be fluid inside the rubber boot.

If the master cylinder (on firewall) were leaking it would leak inside the firewall where the rod goes into the cylinder.

Wipe the master dry and see if it gets wet again after you drive it some, since you are not sure if you made the stains or not.

You can also check the clamp that holds the fluid reservoir on the master. It could have come loose and may be leaking fluid from there too.

Other than that trace the line from the master to the slave and look for any other leaks.

 

[96TalonAWD]

When I took the SC out I remove the boot and it was pretty dry on the inside. I think the SC was working good and I just screw it up.

 

[Defiant]

I check under the pedal but only saw damp spots

There's your leak. Pull back the dust cover and see.

 

[silverbullett]

So I've been having some issues with my clutch fluid disappearing and wasn't able to put the car in gear. This has happened twice in the past but I was able to fix it by adding fluid. Yesterday while I was driving, I pressed the clutch to go into 1st and I felt a slight pop then the pedal went dead and straight to the bottom of its travel. Pushed the car to a safe spot and checked the fluid. It did a Houdini act on me again. I tried filling it again and pumping the clutch pedal to no avail. I've been searching for a leak but haven't come up with anything. I read that you have to check behind the dash? How do you go about doing this?
Any help you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated. I'd rather not throw parts at the car to solve this problem.

 

[turbosax2]

Check underneath the clutch pedal on the inside of the car. If there is fluid there, your master cylinder is leaking.

Pull back the rubber boot on the slave cylinder (front of transmission) and check for fluid inside the boot. If there is fluid, your slave cylinder is leaking.

Trace the hard clutch line all the way from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder and feel for fluid. There could be a pinhole leak in the hard line.

 

[Flash]

It may be leaking inside. If you are going to look under the dash, here is where to look. I drew a little arrow too.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[silverbullett]

Little arrow huh? Thanks for the quick responses gentlemen. Turbosax2 thanks again bro.

Not to bump this thread but, I'm building a SS clutch hose for myself. I have the fittings but I need to know
what length to cut this teflon line. I've been searching for 2 hours and all I came up with was 6 feet which seemed a little excessive. Thanks again guys.

 

[turbosax2]

Are you replacing the entire line from the master to the slave or are you just replacing the soft line/accumulator?

 

[silverbullett]

Master to the slave.

 

[turbosax2]

Talk to Spoolin98 - he's the only guy I can recall off hand that has a full ss line. He might have a length for you. Or you can just take a piece of string or whatever and hold it up where you're going to route the line, then measure it. Shouldn't be too hard to do.

Here are Mike's pictures of his line:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/cyl.../260127-my-2g-6-bolt-build.html#post151184478

 

[silverbullett]

Thanks for the help again. I sent him a message.

 

[silverbullett]

UPDATE...So as it turns out, I was leaking fluid from the master cylinder. I ended up replacing the Master and Slave ( the slave also showed signs of being leaky) and installed a ss clutch line. I've bled the system using STRM TRPR's tech article and the Haynes manual as a guide. Now I have a new problem. I have decent pedal pressure but not like before. I still wasn't able to shift into gear. I did manage to get into 1st, released the clutch slowly while rolling into the throttle. Nothing happened.WTF Tried it again. Nothing. I can feel it go into gear. I can feel a weird vibration when I put it gear and release the clutch. Do you guys think my clutch went out on me? Any other theories? Thanks for the help gents.

 

[silverbullett]

Any ideas? Sorry to bump the thread but, I'm truly stumped. Thanks again.

 

[turbosax2]

Bleed, bleed, bleed, and then bleed the clutch again. Make SURE you have all of the air out of there.

Try adjusting the clutch too - scroll to the bottom and look for "Clutch Adjustment".
RRE's Clutch And Flywheel Tech Info

 

[red4101]

i have to keep filling the clutch reserivior with brake fluid but its not leaking on the ground and every week i have to fill it. i dont know what the problem is it has to be going somwhere?????

 

[Lofty]

Check near the clutch pedal under the dash, your master is probably bad.

 

[nightracer91]

Check to see if the fluid is running out of the back of clutch master cylinder, down the firewall, and under your carpet. Thats what my old FWD was doing for a while until I figured that one out.

 

[Chuck_3]

I noticed my clutch fluid low the other day and upon inspection I found that the boot inside the cabin on the firewall is almost ripped in half and missing (lower half). Looks like a clean rip too so I'm not sure how that even happened. Anyways, all the fluid is leaking down the firewall all over the carpet. If the boot on the clutch rod (?) is torn can I just replace the boot to stop the leaking? Also what is the proper name of the boot?

The arrow shows what boot I am referring to. Thanks in advance.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[nyTalonTsi]

My clutch sinks to the ground once in a while and at most times after driving the car when i try to put it in reverse theres a rough grind. Only happens grinds when the car is warmed up.

The clutch master cylinder has been replaced. I have a new slave cylinder when i get the time i will swap in, even though neither cylinder is leaking. I don't have to ever top up the clutch fluid.

After talking to my friend who runs a shop, his partner who worked at the dealership when the
2g's were released. Hes telling me putting in the new slave won't solve my problem and will only make things worse. Unless i replace my clutch master again, cause he believes the problem is actually there. Im like ????.