clutch pressure

[myfntc]

I have a 1995, 6 speed with 11,000 miles. Two years ago the clutch pressure began to drop to a point where shifting became almost impossible until the car warmed up. Took the car to a Chevy dealer who simply said it was low on clutch fluid. (No fluid leaks on the garage floor.) When putting the car in storage last fall (2002) I noticed the symptoms returning again. What is the problem? How do I avoid the same situation 2 years down the road again if I take the car back to the dealer who fixed it the last time?

 

[BigRed]

It sounds like either a REAL small leak that only leaks when the clutch is depressed or the return spring in the master cylinder is bust but adding clutch fluid would'nt help that.

Im shooting for a leak in the connecting line or more probably a seal leaking in either the slave cylinder or the master.

I just did the works on my 85 and it cost me about 200 bucks to buy a new master and a new slave.

 

[Ken]

It is not uncommon for either the slave or the master cylinder for the hydraulic clutches to wear out one at a time, but if one goes out the other is soon to follow. It's always best to replace both at the same time when one or the other goes bad, and I wouldn't doubt that is the case in your situation.

Mileage itself is not an actual factor; the seals in either the master or the slave cylinders have a tendency to dry out for lack of use. If you replace both cylinders and drive the car on a semi-routine basis (it doesn't take much), you shouldn't have a problem for many years.

I understand that collectors want to keep the mileage low on their prize possesions, but the machinery must be exercised in order to survive. A gorgeous trailer queen may be fine, but if it won't hold liquid, what's the point? :L

 

[myfntc]

Thanks for the insight. I will discuss with the chevy dealer once spring arrives.