Hey all ...

I was working on ol' Alexandria today trying to get the clutch system bled, and in the process I found that there's almost no pressure getting to the slave cylinder on the bellhousing. Here's what I've observed, make your own judgements from the following:

-brown and cloudy fluid
-residue in the reservoir
-clutch pedal stays on the floor;
a-when pressed, there is no resistance like it's moving fluid
b-when returned back up, there's no resistance like it's sucking fluid
-when I blocked the bleeder screw hole with my finger and the pedal was depressed, almost zero pressure was felt.
-I could work the slave cylinder and clutch lever by hand

With that said, I think I need a new master cylinder. It sounds like a seal or something has crapped out on me. It worked plenty fine 10 months ago - but I don't see how a master cylinder dies from sitting for that long. All the lines and hoses are intact and don't leak, so it's got to be one of the cylinders.

Let me know what you all think. I may be asking for clutch hydraulic parts soon, so get your parts cars ready .

Thanks guys, the help is appreciated in advance.
-Dave-O

 

sounds like one of them is gone for sure...mine just went one day too...i alsa saw fluid leaking inside the cabin so my master was screwed and leaking out...so i just bought both new for like 180 dollars or somwheres there i dont remember....brown fluid...thats usualy rust and corrosion in the lines aint it?

 

I thought the same thing ... the fluid is a dark brown, almost graphite color. It's nasty. Either way, this puts a severe handicap on being able to drive her around. I'll be moving next week, and wanted to actually drive the car down the street ... guess I'll end up pushing her.

Thanks for the reply Skully. I'm still open to what anyone else has to say.

-Dave-O

 

my master cylinder died on me slowly, it was leaking into the cabin, so I replaced it, but I still had problems with clutch pressure on the Z, so I ordered a new slave cylinder, and a few days before it came in, it blew up/crapped out on me. It lost all pressure and the seals shot all of the fluid out, so I had to slam shift all the way back to the house. I got the slave cylinder, and it fixed everything.

Just a tip: make sure that if you replace the master cylinder, you keep the rod that goes from it to the pedal, the rod that came with my master cylinder was about 3/4" short.

 

Thanks Fast240Z, I appreciate the info. I'll be sure to keep the rod. What would a master and slave cylinder cost new/used?

 

I got both cylinders for somewhere under $50 new.

 

HI Dorifto I paid like $19.99 at Autozone for my slave cylinder. And like $27.00 for a lifetime master cylinder. Both work great in my wrecked '81. Doh!

 

Gah! You know, it just donned on me that I start working at Checker Auto next week. Employee discount! WOO HOO! ...anywho. Yeah, I'll look into that. Thanks for the info.