(I searched and checked about 15 threads first of all.)
Having a weird clutch problem that I'm assuming is hydraulics but would like some
affirmation before I start spending money that I don't have.

Car is a 1981 GSL M/T with 118,000 miles on it, new clutch in 09'.
Drove home one night, the next morning before my commute to college the clutch felt
like it was engaging really close to the floor. Never having a clutch problem in any of my cars,
I chocked it up to the 20 degree weather.
Stopped at a gas station, and was on my way about 1/4mi later when I realized that
I didn't have a clutch at all. Slip shifted until I was home, parked it. Fluid was is low
but not empty, filling didn't affect it (was fine about a week before). Not seeing/feeling any fluid leak on the master,
line, or slave. Clutch worked until the car warmed up today, pointing twords hydr. again.
All that concerns me, is that it broke seemingly overnight, with no hard shifting or
low engagement before that. No harsh driving or clutch kicking while I've owned it.

TL: DR ; Can a master cylinder fail overnight while the car is parked? Have one coming in tomorrow. Will report if this helps.
Otherwise, try bleeding the clutch?

 

It could've been due to changes in the weather combined with a MC that was already on its last legs. You should also consider replacing the slave cylinder and the flex line at the same time. If the MC died of age, then those other two components will be close behind.

Once installed, you will need to bleed the system. Good luck...



.

 

Thanks. I'm leaving to pick up the MC right about now, if that fixes the problem then I'll bleed it and when I get a chance/garage the car I'll do the SC and line. Which will be soon here.

 

might i add it is a pain in the butt to get the old master cylinder out and put the new one in
hahaha just did mine like a month ago and i dont think ive ever swore so much and was so frustrated,
just also a tip make sure the metal rod going into the master cylinder is properly adjusted cause i couldnt bleed my system really until that was adjusted correctly

good luck on the install

 

Many times when the master fails, it's leaking inside the cabin around the pushrod... and the fluid is vanishing into the carpet padding.

Or, if it aspirates a largeish bubble of air through a piston seal (sucking air on release instead of being returned by fluid pressure), it won't leak but it won't build any pressure against the clutch fork; you're just squeezing the bubble.

 

Yeah ive had multiple Slave cylinders fail on me.. And when i say multiple im taking 9-10 in the past 2 years.. something about shitty autozone slave cyls. Last time it happened i said eff it bought the mazdatrix SS line as well as new hard line. new slave from NAPA new master from autozone and have yet to encounter a problem almost 4 months later so im happy. If u have a ratchet wrench the master wasnt that bad (took me liek 15 mins =/) Look up self bleeding clutch/brake tequniques on youtube the tube/jar trick is way easier than the 2 person pump up release fluid method just my .02$

 

Got it done, took about 1.5 hours. The top bolt was a bitch with my bad shoulder, but it wasn't too tight. Also, got my part from O'reilly's (cheapest in town, 25$ with lifetime warranty). Studs didn't have threads close enough to the firewall, so I put it in and pulled it about 3 times before i realized that the only way to fix that was washers. Put it in, all is well. And when I say the old MC didn't leak, it didn't leak at all. Which was weird. Thanks again everyone.