Clutch Pedal In..No Clutching!!

[Redcoupe864+3]

Just went out to start my '86 4+3..Clutch pedal to the floor..feels funny, like it's not really doing anything..sure enough, no clutch action! And I just noticed: fluid level's down below "add" in the reservoir. Could it be that simple?! Please advise, as it'll be awhile before I can get to the parts store anyway. Thanks much!

 

[Hib Halverson]

No clutch action in a hyd. system often means low fluid level, as you have found.

I'd fill the systemand bleed per the service manual. In fact, on a car that old, you ought to bleed it enough to flush the system. Then check the system for leaks. If you don't find any leaks, I'd road test for proper clutch action. If the clutch works ok, you're set.

If it doesn't then I'd start looking for problems with either the clucth master or slave or mechanical problems with the clutch itself.

 

[Redcoupe864+3]

Thanks, Hib. When I get the fluid back up to proper level we'll see whether the clutch comes back online. Assuming it does, we'll follow up per your advice on bleeding and flushing out the system, checking for leaks, etc. Thanks again!

 

[larry bud]

There MUST be a leak, as the hydraulic clutch is a closed system. It's tough to find the leaks from the master cylinder, as it leaks through the back side, into your dash pad, down the pedal.... IOW, it may take a couple of refills before the fluid gets to a point where you actually see it.

Take off your panel under your driver's side dash NOW before you get stranded. If you find a leak in either the master or slave cylinder, replace both while you're at it.

 

[Redcoupe864+3]

Hey, Larry Bud--

Good point. As of right now, the Vette's been flatbedded off to service(at a first-rate facility, by the way), where diagnosis is underway.Kinda hope it's as simple as a leak, which as you note seems as though it has to be the case, given the nature of the system. Will cross several fingers, break out my debit card, and report back as updates warrant. Thanks very much.

 

[Ken]

How many miles has the car got on it? It's not uncommon for either the master or the slave cylinders, to give out at anywhere around 75000 miles or so. If you replace one it's always a good bet to replace both because the other will fail just as sure anything. It usually happens that as soon as you replace one or the other, the remaining one will fail.

 

[Redcoupe864+3]

Pretty much spot on, Ken; just shy of 69000 miles. So if master/slave cylinder failure is indeed the problem, we're looking at..what, several hundred to replace both w/labor?

 

[Ken]

Yeah, depending on who you have do the work; it's not unusual to see mechanics rates around $75-hour. The parts themselves aren't really that expensive.

 

[WhalePirot]

bleeding, too

As Hib said, ensure that the slave is bled properly. It involves tilting the slave a bit to get all the air out. It CANNOT be bled while mounted. Not all repair facilities know this and the result is a spongy, not fully releasing, clutch.