Hi all. New to the forum. Have owned my 1980 280zx since 82. All original only drive a week a year in October. Anyway last year I went to start it and clutch was on the floor. I blead the system no air. But the next day the clutch was up normal, very surprised. Now this year same thing. Figured ok bleed system again no air. Well this time no self healing. No resistance at all, just goes to floor with no resistance, pull back, will stay out but push and right back to the floor. Thinking master cylinder. Any opinions? If so any tricks to the master cylinder R and R, never done one. Thanks for any help.
Bob

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

Simple. Your Z is trying to tell you to drive her more. Quit that monastery today (the food sucks anyway) and drive her every weekend from now on. Promise: Clutch problems will disappear.

(OK, I'm not a 280 guy. They are around and will check in with you soon. If it was a Z31 I would switch out the master cylinder. Easy work, the part is cheap enough, aftermarket is OK too. Bleeding would need a helper to be done right. Maybe it's the same for a 280. Worth a try? )

 

replace master and slave they are cheap (@ oh dark thirty is a lousy time to have no clutch). Bleed same as brake system. drop a hose from bleeder screw down into a container with some fluid in it. enough so the hose end is submerged. use your arm to pump the clutch up and down for bleeding. using foot to cumbersome as you have to pull it up. the reservoir will empty quickly so having a wife unit or a buddy to keep an eye on it is helpful. DONT LET IT GO DRY.

the trick is to have the right size wrench and a modicum of mechanical know how.

 

I've just been through this. Replace the master & slave and bleed out the air. I bought both at O'reilly's for $35 total.

 

Thanks all. Just ordered the parts from Oriely also. Will let you know when I get it done.