Clutch problem caused by the cold?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Clutch problem caused by the cold?
I was wondering if you guys/girls could give me a hand on figuring this out.
Middle of january here in MN, go to start my car(86 gxl), press in the clutch to start it and boom, car jerks forward, clutch wont disingage (keep it parked in 1st gear). So i figure, maybe its just being stuborn because of the cold.
So i go out when its warmer and mess around with it a bit, clutch drops to floor with no effort, and would come back up, tried it again, and clutch stayed on the floor.
Popped the hood, looked at the clutch fluid, it was a bit low, so i topped it off. Still nothing. (that was 2 weeks ago, and i just checked the fluid level and it hasn't lost any)
What are some possible things it could be?
Air in the line?
Master/slave cylinder need rebuilt?
My car is a pile and will make a nice paper weight after being crushed into a cube?
Any ideas or suggestions would be a great help!
Middle of january here in MN, go to start my car(86 gxl), press in the clutch to start it and boom, car jerks forward, clutch wont disingage (keep it parked in 1st gear). So i figure, maybe its just being stuborn because of the cold.
So i go out when its warmer and mess around with it a bit, clutch drops to floor with no effort, and would come back up, tried it again, and clutch stayed on the floor.
Popped the hood, looked at the clutch fluid, it was a bit low, so i topped it off. Still nothing. (that was 2 weeks ago, and i just checked the fluid level and it hasn't lost any)
What are some possible things it could be?
Air in the line?
Master/slave cylinder need rebuilt?
My car is a pile and will make a nice paper weight after being crushed into a cube?
Any ideas or suggestions would be a great help!
Last edited by Monroe; Apr 1, 2005 at 06:13 AM.
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 2
From: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
So - the master cylinder is not pumping.
Symptom 1) Low fluid. The Clutch hydraulics should not loose any fliud - ever, so you must have a small leak.
Symptom 2) No pump action. The piston cup is not sealing to the bore. The cold may be making it worse, but it will be doing it in warm conditions soon.
Another clue - the fliud (clutch & brake) should be clear as beer. If it has a dark tint - that's worn seal material or outside contamination.
The slam dunk fix - a new master cylinder and a new hose for < $100.
Many replace the slave cylinder also, in case the problem was caused my contamination.
To prevent this in the future:
Every time you service the brake pads, bleed both the brake & clutch fluid.
Symptom 1) Low fluid. The Clutch hydraulics should not loose any fliud - ever, so you must have a small leak.
Symptom 2) No pump action. The piston cup is not sealing to the bore. The cold may be making it worse, but it will be doing it in warm conditions soon.
Another clue - the fliud (clutch & brake) should be clear as beer. If it has a dark tint - that's worn seal material or outside contamination.
The slam dunk fix - a new master cylinder and a new hose for < $100.
Many replace the slave cylinder also, in case the problem was caused my contamination.
To prevent this in the future:
Every time you service the brake pads, bleed both the brake & clutch fluid.
Last edited by SureShot; Apr 1, 2005 at 07:22 AM.
Full Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
This just happened to my car. Turns out it was the slave. I just took it off (being careful of the pressure) and pulled off the boot and re-worked the hydraulics a bit until everything compressed right and put it back together and it worked just fine afterwards.
Brap Brap Brap
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
I had the same problem with my Fc.. The master cylinder was not sealing properly..
Chances are, during the cooler time of the year, the seals will contract more than usual, therefore not fully sealing, and creating an air or fluid leak.
I replaced both slave and clutch master cylinder, just to re-assure myself.
-Justin
Chances are, during the cooler time of the year, the seals will contract more than usual, therefore not fully sealing, and creating an air or fluid leak.
I replaced both slave and clutch master cylinder, just to re-assure myself.
-Justin
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