Road Trip Clutch Troubles

[PHeller]

So in Valentines spirit I drove 5.5 hours to Erie, PA to visit a lovely lady friend of mine.

About half way through the trip, I started noticing that my car was not going in and out of gear correctly. Upon further inspection (and another 2 hours of driving) I found that the clutch pedal was losing pressure.

Now that I made it to Erie and the car has sat for a few hours and sufficiently cooled down, it seems as though its back to normal, but that's only at first non-running glance.

Lets say that this has something to do with heat, and the long drive at sustained high speeds (75-80) is messing with the clutch system...is this a likely possibility?

If its not heat related, what else does it sound like?

[n240sxfnatic]

Same think happened to me, replaced the slave cylinder and everything went back to normal.

[tyrodtom]

If it's been a long time since you've changed you clutch fluid, it could be the heat, but I wouldn't think you'd be getting that much heat this time of year.

The fluid takes on moisture over time, when the fluid get hot the water in it boils, resulting in steam pockets in your line, usually in the line on the firewall where it crosses behind the head. When you step on the pedal you just compress the steam, and get little or no slave cylinder movement. I had the same problem on a circle track 240, I change the fluid every year, plus wraped the line on the firewall with insulation. No more problems, even in July and August.

[PHeller]

Unfortunately after trying to drive the car today its apparent that whatever the problem is its still doing it when below freezing.

[boost240]

i def. recommend checking fluid. Had same problem and has a slave cylinder leak. good luck

[PHeller]

Fluid reservoir is full.

[sx moneypit]

Your clutch master cylinder could be going out.Check inside the car and see if there is any signs of seepage.

[PHeller]

Correction. The black residue of the fluid in the reservoir made me think it was full, but when I popped the top it wasn't...instead it was pretty damn empty.

I put some fluid in it and pumped the clutch a few times. We'll see if that works. Heading to a local (in Erie) garage to see if they can't put it on a lift to check out the clutch slave cylinder.

I'm hoping it isn't the Master Cylinder, but it doesn't appear to be leaking anywhere on the firewall or footwell so I think I'm safe there.

[sx moneypit]

Be sure and flush the system!