I only drive my car every couple of months or so. I have noticed that my clutch is on the floor when I first get into the car. I can manual pull it up and it works properly after that. Any ideas of what the issue could be?

 

Usually a leaky clutch master cylinder.
-Check fluid level
-Check for fluid at inside firewall where the clutch plunger goes through
-Check slave cylinder

 

Owners Manual says use DOT3 Fluid for Brake/Clutch. Are brake fluid and clutch fluid really the same thing? I checked the fluid level and it's right at the minimum mark.

 

Same stuff. If you think about it, the brakes and clutch work in the same way. The fluid is incompressible, the pedal moves a plunger in the master cylinder, displaces the fluid, and that drives a piston at the other end of the line. Brake caliper or clutch slave cylinder, both are doing the same thing.

 

just replace slave and master, cheap and you won't get stranded beside the road on a dark and stormy night, flush the lines with new fluid

 

I checked the service manual I see the setup for the clutch cylinder. But, I don't see anything in the diagram labeled a slave. Is there another name for the part you're referring to. Also, I really hoping I don't have to replace anything and the fluid just needed to be topped off. The car only has about 64,000 miles on it. Would it be normal to see a clutch cylinder wear out with that kind of mileage?

 

The slave is located on the tranny. The fluid doesn't evaporate so you definitely have a leak somewhere. If you are lucky it may just be at a fitting and you can pull it apart, put some teflon on the threads, tighten it back up, and bleed. Even better, just snug the fitting if that's all it is. I wouldn't call it normal to have a cylinder leaking with that mileage, but it's really more about the age than the mileage.


If you are replacing it, the normal recommendation is to replace both master and slave at the same time. May as well also change the hose while you are at it and you should never have to worry about it again.

Motorsport! Clutch Slave Cylinders - The Z Store, Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts