Yesterday and today my clutch is been giving me hell. Today and yesterday we have had a really strong cold front come in ( 20 degrees) or so and thats when the problem started.

When I start the truck the clutch is really soft and dosent want to engage. The clutch has a lot of play in it and the last 2 inches are the only one that work. To get it in gear I have to pump or prime the clutch. It has no pressure or resistence to it. When I am driving I have to pump the clutch so I can put it in a gear.

What could be causing this. It only started when it got really cold out. Could I be out of fluid?

Please help!!!

Thanks Jake

 

Jake, its the slave cylinder. It maybe bad or low on fluid. My clutch is the same way here in Michigan (cold lately). The only way I see fixing it is replacing the slave and bleeding the system...

 

I agree its probably the slave. A new slave and a system bleed would probably do wonders.

 

Whats a new slave cost and does it require droping the tranny?

 

The tranny must be dropped. The slave costs about 65-80 dollars.

 

So I am looking at like 500 of it to be dropped and the work to be done? F***!


Also to add fluid were would I check to see if it was low?

 

Open the bleed valve on the slave under the truck, keep pouring fluid in the master cylinder and let it drain out the bottom. Then pump the clutch pedal 4-50 times or so. I know that helped me a lot!

Tip: If you are going to drop the trans yourself, change the slave and leave the clutch (if its fine) but it you are going to have it done, you might as well have the clutch changed too since the trans will already be out of it...

 

user error.

































jk

 

I wouldn't even know were to start if I was to drop my tranny. This sucks. My trucks only got 64k on it.

Were is the master cylinder located for my clutch, also were is the bleed valve?

 

The bleed valve sticks out the side of the trans on the driver side. You will see that it has a rubber cover over it, pull the cover open the valve, let the fluid drain and make sure the master doesn't go dry. The master is located near the brake master cylinder. I know doing this made a world of difference. If it doesn't give you a noticeable improvement, you need a new slave, and possibly a new clutch...

 

Ok... So worst case senerio what would labor and parts cost for a new clutch?

 

drivers side almost up against the fender more so closer to the fuse box and brake master cylinder. its the only other fill cap on that side that looks anything like the brake fluid setup. should have a visible fill line that says COLD. fill it to there when cold and it should help. if its still not fixed. places usually drop trannies for anywhere between 350-600 dollars and than 60-80 an hour to find the problem. slave setup is 50-60 master is close to that too. new clutch? might as well go for a centerforce stage 1. Stock replacement but 30% more grip and its about the same price as a stock replacement.

 

Well after thinking about this I think I might be low on fluid. Since I can pump the clutch and it does get firmer once I pump it, I think if I ad some fluid I will be ok.

I am crossing my fingers.

 

So to bleed the whole system just unplug the bleed valve and poor in new fluid at the same time. Being careful not to let the master cylinder go dry?

The fluid that I need is it just called "clutch fluid"?

EDIT: anyone have a pick of the bleed value? I just went out and checked my fluid and its pretty dirty and its only about half full. Just to make sure the clutch master cylinder is the bigger of the two near the fuse box right?

 

Its the tiny resivoir, about the size of a small shot glass

 

On my truck I read the cap of the small one and it said something about brake fluid on it. WTF? lol.

EDIT: Just went out and checked the smaller of the two master cylinders. When I opened the small white one there was almost NO fluid in it. It has a black rubber linning, is this the right one?

 

Does it look like this?

http://www.perfectionclutch.com/imag...log/350054.jpg

 

So I added some brake ( thats the right stuff right ) fluid to my clutch master cylinder today and it seemed to help for a little while. I drove around a little and I checked it when I got back. It was black so I know its really dirty. Is it possible to have air in the line. I think I do and I want to bleed it.

If its just myself how should I bleed and replace my clutch fluid.

 

Anyone?

 

Took the truck in and they said I do need a new slave cylinder. They bled my line and got the air out of it so, its working for the mean time.

I have been calling around to get an estimate for what a new slave, clutch, and labor would be and the cheapest I have found is $850.

Does this price seem reasonable to you guys. I got the business name from a guy named Tom Martino who is a well know around the media world and the BBB.

 

you dded brake fluid to the clutch?
that doesnt sound right

 

mine uses DOT3 brake fluid, i found it odd as well, but whatever. i think your clutch its self is fine, just ask for a slave clyinder and the installation costs and whatever

 

All hydraulic clutch systems use dot-3 brake fluid to maintain line pressure.

 

My clutch is fine but for the extra $200 bones might as well have it replaced when the tranny is down.