no clutch fluid

[Ragincajun]

Still having the grind from 1-2. I replaced the tranny fluid with synchromesh. I had no go. I noticed that there was no fluid in the slave cylinder (at least not that I could see or feel [depth of fingers]) So I filled it up to max level. I did not think to check my clutch bolt or anything. Could this be the culprit for the grinding from 1-2. I would think that it would grind in all gears if the clutch was bad/leaky.

90 laser FWD

 

[Splitpi]

I am confused on what you mean.

Clutchs (part internal to the transmission) does not have fluid.

The Master Cylinder and Slave Cylinder and the multitude of lines inbetween them does. When you press the clutch pedal you impart a mechanical force via the Master Cylinder into a hydraulic force. The hydraulic force from the Master Cylinder pushes the slave cylinder. The slave Cylinder increases the force from the Master and retranslates it into increased mechanical force and pushes the clutch fulcrum. The fulcrum engages/disengages the clutch.

I would bleed your clutch line. There is a bleed valve on the slave cylinder. Bleed it till you see no air bubbles. Always check the clutch fluid resevoir ontop of the Master cylinder while bleeding to ensure it doesn't run empty.

 

[Ragincajun]

Sorry, the Master cylinder on the firewall {next to the brake Master cylinder} had no fluid in it.

 

[Mr2god]

If you are empty of fluid check the back master cylinder where it mates to the firewall for any wetness, seems to settle there if thats where you leak is. Also check all of you lines. And finally check you slave cylinder, clean it up really nice and then pump the clutch and see if the boot gets wet and leaks out there.

oh yeah when you said you just added fluid because it was empty, did you bleed it. You do it just like you do brakes. Crack open the bleeder, connect a clear hose to it and put it in some brake fluid in a clear container and watch for the bubbles to stop.

 

[jw_55_55]

Also check anywhere for leaks on the metal line....had this happen to me over summer and it was my slave cylinder!!! You can normally tell if the slave cylinder is leaking by looking at it. (should be pretty wet somewhere around it!

- And yes this could be a reason why you are grinding gears...no clucth fluid...and not bleeding the clutch after adding leaving a lot of air in the line will kill a clutch/trans!!!

 

[96_charcoal_tsi]

I was just having similar problems. I was driving and lost all of my peddle pressure. Looked at the clutch master and it was empty. Refilled it and it was empty within a couple of hours. Got to looking around and it was leaking out the back of the master into the interior. So i ordered a master cylinder rebuild kit from autoone (since i work there) for $20. Was very easy to change out , just a couple of bolts and it was all done. I am going to be sticking it back on tomorrow and see it it takes care of the problem. Hope this will help you out if your having the same problem i'm having.

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

If you are only grinding from 1/2 I would suspicion the synchronizers. This is not uncommon. And yes, when your clutch master cylinder is low on fluid that too can cause problems. You might look around the slave cylinder to see if it's leaking and look at the slave rod under the dash to see if it's wet. The fluid went somewhere and did not disappear by osmosis. You have a leak that needs to be addressed. The grinding problem won't go away by itself. Probably worn synchro rings. Unless you can remove and tear down the trans you will have to take it to a trans shop. Or, you could just replace it with a rebuilt one and do away with the wait.

Good Luck

 

[alice]

Like all the others have said, if your master cylinder reservoir has gone empty, there is a big chance you got tons of air in there. Bleed it and check for leaks. My slave cylinder was spraying fluid all over the place so I replaced that and I am now just waiting for my master cylinder to explode!!

 

[Splitpi]

Since owning my car, I have had the clutch line burst and the master cylinder weep all over the carpet.

I replaced the rubber line with SS line (most of the clutch line on the 2g is steel tubing, but there is a 1.25' section of rubber where it connects to the transmission), while doing this I removed the delay resivoir (which is a pain to bleed) and a plethora of line. I then later noticed my master was leaking. I would consider it good advice that if you are redoing the master, to redo the slave aswell.

After you do this, then you need to readjust your pedal play. After changing my master it took a while to set the peddle so that I wasn't "pump'ing up the clutch". i.e. the pressure wasn't fully releaseing when you left off the clutch and thus over a few clutchings it would remain partially engaged... and slip.