Clutch Doesn't Engage

[Farang]

I previously could not get my truck to engage anything but reverse. Then I noticed it was very low of clutch fluid (maybe only 10% of the container filled) so I filled that up. Now a lot of force can get it into first, second and third come easier. Do I just need to keep forcing it to get the fluid in there, or should the fluid be doing its job already? Should I be careful about forcing it too much and possibly damaging my clutch?

 

[woodie1]

You may have air in the system. Bleed the fluid at the slave cylinder.

 

[Farang]

Thanks... this is the next step in my troubleshooting but I'm having trouble figuring out how to bleed to fluid. I'm not sure if it is like this in all cars but I have the brake fluid reservoir, and the clutch fluid reservoir (smaller) next to each other in the corner of the engine compartment. Where is the slave cylinder typically located?

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: Farang
Thanks... this is the next step in my troubleshooting but I'm having trouble figuring out how to bleed to fluid. I'm not sure if it is like this in all cars but I have the brake fluid reservoir, and the clutch fluid reservoir (smaller) next to each other in the corner of the engine compartment. Where is the slave cylinder typically located?

Usually the slave is by the bellhousing. Follow the line from your clutch master cylinder - it should take you to the slave cylinder.

 

[thedarkwolf]

The next problem is where did the fluid go? I'd say probably out of the slave cylinder. When you do find it pull back the little boot on it and see if it has fluid inside it. If it does get ready to replace it.

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
The next problem is where did the fluid go? I'd say probably out of the slave cylinder. When you do find it pull back the little boot on it and see if it has fluid inside it. If it does get ready to replace it.

Wouldn't clutch wear account for the lower fluid level. Brake fluid drops as the pads/shoes wear.

 

[Farang]

Found the slave. What happened was I recently repaired my starter and didn't tighten the bolts tight enough on the slave, which I had had to remove to get the starter out (didn't know at the time what the little round-shaped thing was I was unscrewing, but it just came to me now). So now it is dangling a bit and I need to put it back on properly. Hopefully no damage was done and when it is straightened out it will work properly... we'll see tomorrow!

This problem occurred today, after yesterday I had driven 10 hours straight. Enough to vibrate the screws loose.

Thanks guys

 

[StageLeft]

Mine all leaked out recently. I replaced the slave cylinder and the lower clutch line (my car has a master cylinder to an upper line, which connects to a lower, which finally connects to the slave. Turns out in the end the leak was in the lower clutch line. Bleeding should be done at the lower level, near the slave first, then once that's done the upper bleed screw, at least on my maxima.

 

[Farang]

Well the hydraulic line to the slave cylinder (a winding metal tube about half a foot long) seems to be bent enough to cause the two mounting threads to be misaligned. It seems impossible to bend it back but I'm wondering if I'd be able to buy an individual hydraulic line.. if not I'll just have to try and bend it.