Some hydraulic clutch system problems Options

[Coomer]

My car has been driving me nuts lately. For a long time, I've had some troubles shifting into first gear when I'm stopped. Sometimes I'd have to let the clutch pedal out and then push it in again to get into first when stopped. I replaced the slave cylinder, and it made things slightly better.

Now though, the problem is worse. I can't get into first very easily again, most often after the car has warmed up. Also, gear shifts are much more notchy, and I have to pause when shifting from first to second because it's so bad.

Today I adjusted the rod on the master cylinder so that it's pushing the piston as far as it can, but it didn't really make a difference. I also bled the clutch system and it made no difference.

I figure it's probably my master cylinder. I have no leaks anywhere in the system.

My question is, how exactly does a master cylinder fail? Do the rubber seals deteriorate so that fluid can get by the piston as it's pushed in? Does water/contamination get into the system over the time, rusting the cylinder walls so that there's a small gap where fluid can get through? Keep in mind that I have absolutely no leaks anywhere in the sytem.

And if my master cylinder is bad, should I get a cheaper replacement unit from somewhere like Autozone, or should I go for an OEM Toyota one?

Also, my problems get worse as the car warms up. Could the fluid be boiling from slave cylinder or the hard line being close to the header?

Also, do you think a braided stainless steel clutch line would help? Does anyone know if a MR2 or Supra clutch line could fit our cars?

[Coomer]

I tried changing the fluid to Pennzoil Synchromesh this weekend...didn't do a thing except waste $23. Looks like I'll be pulling the tranny in the spring when I finally have time.

[Rayme]

I tried changing the fluid to Pennzoil Synchromesh this weekend...didn't do a thing except waste $23. Looks like I'll be pulling the tranny in the spring when I finally have time.

When I switched to GM synchromesh fluid(which I think is same as penzoil), it took litteraly 1-2 weeks of daily driving to really improve. Don't ask me why..but after it was impossible to grind 2nd gear, that really amazed me...and 100 000 KM later it was still not grinding!

[Coomer]

I tried changing the fluid to Pennzoil Synchromesh this weekend...didn't do a thing except waste $23. Looks like I'll be pulling the tranny in the spring when I finally have time.

When I switched to GM synchromesh fluid(which I think is same as penzoil), it took litteraly 1-2 weeks of daily driving to really improve. Don't ask me why..but after it was impossible to grind 2nd gear, that really amazed me...and 100 000 KM later it was still not grinding!

I came home for the weekend to pull the tranny out of the Celica and put in one that's in better shape. I was ready to start pulling the tranny, so I started the car up and figured I'd take it for one last drive around the area. Interestingly enough, the shifts were much smoother. So I took the car out to the canyon roads and actually enjoyed it for the first time in a while, since the shifts were smoother. Apparently the Pennzoil Synchromesh does work; It just takes it a while in my case (and yours Rayme.)

So for now, I'll hold off on swapping trannies until I pull the motor to do some work, hopefully over Christmas break.