clutch...HELP!

[Prelude99]

Hey guys...need HELP!

My clutch has had a small leak and I have been putting clutch fluid in about every week and recently everyday...so I guess its not very small. Well now my clutch is to the floor and I cant get it to even pump to get more fluid running through it. Any suggestions on how to fix?

Thanks!

[1BadBB6]

its probably your master cylinder or maybe even the slave, i would just put more fluid in it and bleed the clutch until you figure out what it is.

[Prelude99]

Im a girl and have no idea what bleed the clutch means...hate being a girl when it comes to this stuff. Can you explain?

[black_prelude97]

where ya live at? might beable to help ya..

[Prelude13]

Im a girl and have no idea what bleed the clutch means...hate being a girl when it comes to this stuff. Can you explain?

:redface:

It's okay, you're a girl that drives a Prelude.
You're one of us. :redface:


okay, so your clutch is to the floor.
That means your master cylinder, which looks like this:
http://www.autopartsworld.com/images/replacement/I3000-46311_asco-aisin_clutch-master-cylinder.jpg
is bad.
Im pretty sure you know the location of the master cylinder as you said have been adding fluid.

What you have to do is bleed out all the air that is trapped in between the lines. Bleeding means getting rid of all of the fluid plus air. . .

Here's my guide:

Okay, you need two people to do this.
You need brake fluid, dot 3 from any parts store.
Locate the master cylinder reservoir(as pic above) and open the cover.
It should be empty.
Now, you have to locate the clutch bleed screw, which is located on the clutch slave cylinder, towards the front of the engine...see pic below.
http://www.team-integra.net/images/BAEC1978-D3A7-4405-AB2D-2761DC15A96D/articles/maintenance/clutchf/clutchf1.jpg
(Please, be gentle with the screw, it's made of brass and can easily warp and bend. I believe it is 8mm.)

Now, here is why you need two people.
One person will lift the clutch pedal up and one will open and close the bleeder screw and keep an eye out on the fluid in the reservoir...

~Open the screw, lift clutch pedal and then depress once. Fluid should come out(be aware, you should have something to empty the fluid into, a small jar or bottle, brake fluid onto cars paint is lethal!! use gloves and protect your eyes and car paint!)
DONT PUMP THE CLUTCH PEDAL LIKE CRAZY!!!
So, now fluid should stop coming out...now close the bleeder screw. Add fluid and do this process one more time. This will ensure air will not be trapped in the lines. The best way to tell is by getting a small clear tube onto the bleeder screw to examine to see if you see fluid or air bubbles coming out.

Now your friend is lifting the pedal while you close the screw and add fluid.
The pedal should regain its stiffness by itself.
This is the "vacuum" of fluid and air, or "hydraulics."

If all goes well you should be driving to the shop and replacing the master cylinder ASAP.

:biggrin:

If this guide is a bit confusing, you can surely search on the internet and find many, many guides with pics to help ensure your Prelude is back on the tarmac.
Also, one way to tell your clutch master cylinder is bad, is by looking at your clutch pedal itself. It should be covered/leaking brake fluid and gunky. . .

[THE ONE]

Good job B!