Clutch woes

[TakeNotes]

About this time last year I moved from Michigan to Orlando, FL. Since then, my car has been experiencing additional problems from what I assume is the higher, more intense heat. For example, I had to replace my fuel system because it die when the car heated up.

Anyway, I left my car at my girlfriend's apartment last week for a few days and when I got back in, the clutch fell to the floor when I pushed on it and it wouldn't return. I could still push it in with 1cm travel/catch point directly on the floor. The clutch itself still feels like it's fine, even if it is at the point where it is starting to slip a little bit. I purchased some DOT 3 brake fluid, I'm told that is the fluid used for the clutch.

My question is, would it be a fluid issue? Where is the most common place that it would leak assuming there is one. Any light on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I need to replace my headlights but the screws on the headlight shroud are rusted in, so I figure I need to drill them out. Where would I go to order or purchase new ones?

[zanilth]

First off, check your bleeder valves on your slave cylinder, make sure they are tight. Then, trace the hoses back til you get to the master cylinder and wherever the leak is, there ya go. (Could be the increase in heat and humidity helped some dry rot on your line, and when you hit the clutch, it burst, or someone could have sliced it, or could be a bad master cylinder, or many things.)

[seanman]

yeah you might have some air in the system, or a leak because it is hydraulic. its a dual master cylinder so the brake fluid goes both to the brakes and to the clutch. i had that problem with my mx6, it turns out there was a rubber hose about 8 inches long that had sprung a leak. i had my friend step on the clutch a couple times and i could see it fire jets of hydraulic fluid :p

[corn322]

its a dual master cylinder so the brake fluid goes both to the brakes and to the clutch.

I don't know where you got that information, 240's have seperate brake and clutch systems.

[Moto Man]

It's also possible for the master cylinder to leak internally. Basically, the fluid just leaks around the piston in the master cylinder so it doesn't build up any pressure.

You can get a rebuild kit, but a new master cylinder doesn't cost that much.

[ddgsxr504]

or a leak because it is hydraulic. its a dual master cylinder so the brake fluid goes both to the brakes and to the clutch.

If in any car the brake cylinder was tandem with the clutch you would wind up slamming on the brakes every time you pushed the clutch in.

[TakeNotes]

Thanks for the help. It turns out there was no leak, but a box that Nissan claims makes the clutch feel better; which let some air into the line.

We disconnected the hose from that box and just put it directly into the slave cylinder and bleed the system. Works just fine now.

[S13FASTBACKSR]

yes i know what piece you are talking about..its dampener actually made for women drivers to make it easier and what not for them to engage the clutch pedal...your pedal should feel stiffer now