Softened Clutch Paddle Options

[tomazws]

So, after an hour drive on the freeway today (normal 75~), the clutch paddle became soft (like no resistance when stepping on it).. when the paddle is depressed, the clutch separates with the fly wheel with no problem and i was able to put gear in neutral coming to a light.

When the light turns green, paddle down (again feeling no resistance from the paddle), gear to first, clutch paddle slowly up gas paddle slowly down, clunk clunk clunk... something up front choking, chattering, feeling like the clutch just smacked into the fly wheel or something (the same feeling when u just let go of the clutch completely), immediately I stomped on the clutch to prevent a stall... and shift back to neutral.

Thing's back to normal again during the next cold start.


What's happening? I read somewhere online mentioned soft clutch paddle related to brake fluid leak??!!?!? How's that even related?


Please help!

[Blurr05]

Check the reservoir tank under the hood to see if you are running low.
You may need to bleed your clutch hydraulic system, which could be due to a leak. Both Clutch fluid and brake fluid are dot 3 hence why people say “brake fluid leak” since it's interchangeable.

[tomazws]

Check the reservoir tank under the hood to see if you are running low.
You may need to bleed your clutch hydraulic system, which could be due to a leak. Both Clutch fluid and brake fluid are dot 3 hence why people say “brake fluid leak” since it's interchangeable.

So the brake and the clutch uses the same tank of fluid? Or they use separate set of the same fluid?

[GriffGirl]

Check the reservoir tank under the hood to see if you are running low.
You may need to bleed your clutch hydraulic system, which could be due to a leak. Both Clutch fluid and brake fluid are dot 3 hence why people say “brake fluid leak” since it's interchangeable.

So the brake and the clutch uses the same tank of fluid? Or they use separate set of the same fluid?

They use the same fluid but are not on the same system. The clutch master cylinder is located directly on the firewall, kind of behind your brake master cylinder. It's smaller and narrower, more cylindrical shaped. It's actually EXACTLY on the other side of where your clutch pedal is (it's not as low on the firewall as you'd think though - it's about halfway down, very easy to locate and reach).

If your pedal is soft it is most definitely related to the hydraulic system. It is more likely that your slave cylinder has gone out. The slave cylinder is located directly on the transmission. It's on the top, and faces your radiator.

808 - you probably need to bleed your clutch. There's a bleed screw on the slave cylinder to do this - you'll need an 8mm line wrench and a friend to help; if you try to do it yourself you could suck air into the system, which would supremely SUCK.

Oh hell, give me a few minutes and I'll go out and take pictures.