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Soft spongy clutch

James

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Apr 7, 2012
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1,322
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Port richey Florida
Today driving to work my clutch was as normal as ever. Work 8 hours and get in my car... I slam the clutch to the floor. This is because it's normally very stiff and engauges a few inches from the floor, now it's suddenly soft and spongy while engaging nearly right on the floor.

All the car did was sit still for 8 hours... It's kinda late and raining so I didn't check anything yet. But what would causes this to happen out of nowhere? Soft/spongey is usually something like air in the lines right?
 

Terry Posten

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Dec 16, 2003
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9,009
Location
Davenport, Iowa USA
That or a bulging rubber line to slave.
 

fuel

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Feb 23, 2009
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2,165
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
yeah most likely leaking seals in the master or slave cylinders. Did the clutch engagement point change in any way? Does it grind or clip the gears? Does the pedal feel any better when you pump it continuously in quick succession?

I had my clutch line burst completely once and I assume it must have been swelling to some degree before it finally let go and I didn't notice any difference in pedal feel before and after the line was replaced, so I doubt it would be a swelling line causing it.
 

James

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Apr 7, 2012
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Port richey Florida
Earlier today it engaged a few inches above the floor like normal. Now it's right at the floor.

So tomorrow morning check the master and the lines.
 

James

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Apr 7, 2012
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No fluid. No signs of there it went either. Put fluid in this morning and drive to work. Clutch felt batter about half way there. I'll check it again after work.
 

JNR

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Apr 23, 2004
Messages
9,814
Location
ca
Yeah, no fluid will do that /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'd keep an eye on the level though, as if it goes down again, you have a leak somewhere and if you have a leak (post slave cylinder), your hydraulic system will not work right (not a closed system)...If it's before the slave cylinder you're probably OK hydraulics-wise, but I imagine that could introduce air in the system, which would also render your hydralic system ineffective.

I'd try to bleed the system if I were you, regardless. I don't know if this oem-equipped, but I have a zerk fitting right by the transmission for bleeding and when the time comes for me, I'll use my mityvac to do it (one man).

This doesn't sound like your problem, but in my GTO I owned, the line from the reservoir to the slave cylinder ran by the exhaust manifold and it would generate a lot of heat when I ran it hard (mostly on the freeway) and would make my pedal go from firm to feeling like there was no pressure and the pedal would go to the floor...a few seconds later, it was back to normal. I didn't realize at the time because of where the line ran, but now know that can be insulated and it gets rid of the issue. I have another GTO now and going to see if it has the same issue (the line seems to route differently on this one).

One other consideration is if your brake (clutch) fluid is contaminated with water, it will boil over chances are and again render your hydraulics not as effective. Water won't compress, but its boiling point is relatively low, so that's why they don't use it as a medium (vs. brake or hydraulic fluid), fwiw.
 

Jason G.

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Oct 7, 2003
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3,279
Location
Anderson, SC
Pull the rubber boot back off the master cylinder, or it's pissing out the slave. Either way, change them both out at the same time.
 

James

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Apr 7, 2012
Messages
1,322
Location
Port richey Florida
It's still full after two hour long drives. Pulled it all apart and everything looks dry? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
 

Check the firewall/ pedal assembly for cracks/stress. If everything looks dry I would check everything else out before you start replacing the master etc
 
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