CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER...

[creekman]

On my 2003 C4S the clutch has been slowly engaging closer and closer to the floor.  Now I can't always shift it.  The brake reservoir is full.  I guess the first thing I would do is to bleed the slave cylinder. If that doesn't help would you next replace the slave cylinder, it was new 20,000 miles ago.

 

Am I correct if the clutch goes south the pedal engages high on the pedal travel, correct?  I did a search but came up dry...

 

Thanks, 

[DBJoe996]

Bleeding the clutch system might help, but if the deterioration has been over some time and simply now is worse, my guess would be the clutch master cylinder seals and not the slave cylinder.

[Loren]

Check for leaks and if you have not changed the clutch/brake fluid in the last two years you should.

[creekman]

Loren,  I haven't changed the brake fluid in longer than that.  Shame on me... There doesn't appear to be any leaks.  I wasn't aware there was a clutch master cylinder, is it a part of the brake master cylinder?  Brakes work fine...

[Loren]

Yup, here it is with the clutch slave cylinder (22). I would start with clean fresh DOT4 brake fluid. Bleed both the brakes and clutch. See the DIY here:

[creekman]

Thanks for everyone's input...  I agree with DBJoe996  while I've been neglect on changing out the brake fluid I don't think it would lead to near total clutch failure.  I've ordered both the master and slave cylinder thinking I would review both for leaks, then replace the master cylinder first...

 

My question, could the master cylinder be bad and not leak any fluid, but bypassing the brake fluid internally?

 

Thanks,

[Loren]

Yes.

[creekman]

Turns out a piece of metal got trapped in the pressure plate... Even though this piece of metal relatively small the clearances between the pressure plate and disc are also very small.  This small piece of metal kept the clutch from engaging...

 

 

[Ahsai]

May as well replace the pressure plate. Where did that piece of metal come from?

[creekman]

We replaced the pressure plate, disc and throw out bearing while we were there.  No idea where the metal came from...