Clutch Failure?

[gabkwong]

On my way home today, the clutch paddle went to floor and wouldn't bounce back when I pull into the gas station near my house. I pumped it several times and it came up just a little but enough to put into the gears to get home.

When I looked under the hood, there was no clutch fluid in the reservoir! I am pretty sure it was OK last week when I checked. I refilled the reservoir and pumped the clutch paddle the way I bleed to brake. After refilling the reservoir a couple of times, I regained a firm paddle. I end up refilled the reservoir 4 times all together. I noticed a puddle on the drive way under the passenger side. I am not sure it was the fluid from the clutch. It could not be the water from the a/c, since it did not dried up after a couple hours. There is no leak from anything that I can see under the hood. Now the car actually shifts a little better than before.

My question is that do I have a major clutch problem? Do I need to have it looked at by someone before the next S2K event?

Thanks,
Gab

[CosmosMpower]

There's a nipple underneath the car similar to the ones on the brake caliper. You should bleed it from there just like the brakes to get all the air in the lines. I would have someone check it out, it's rare for all the clutch fluid to go empty for no reason.

[POS Racing]

Sound like your slave cylinder died time for a rebuild or a replacement.

[cone-cerned]

I think it is more likely the clutch slave cylinder than the clutch. That is where the nipple that CosmosMpower mentioned is at. You might be able to put a rebuild kit in it.

[CosmosMpower]

Thanks, slave cylinder was what I was thinking of, was having a brain fart.

[Sharpie]

Surely the slave cylinder! How many times have I done that since 99'? Next would be the master rebuild. Rebuild kits work, but buying a new one is insurance. I rebuilt one slave 4 times before buying a new one. The new lasted several years longer.

[gabkwong]

Thanks! Will you use the repaire kit and get a new slave cylinder? the car has over 100K on the clock and the slave cylinder was rebuilt 40K ago!

Thanks,
Gab

[POS Racing]

Thanks! Will you use the repaire kit and get a new slave cylinder? the car has over 100K on the clock and the slave cylinder was rebuilt 40K ago!

Thanks,
Gab

At 100K with one rebuild on it already I'd replace it but that's just me.

[gabkwong]

POS,

Thanks! I am placing order to MazdaSpeed!

Gab

[altiain]

At 100K with one rebuild on it already I'd replace it but that's just me.

+1. Even with the price increases over the last couple of years, a new slave cylinder is what, $40 bucks? Buy a new one.

[Rogue]

EZ! Squeeze the boot on the slave, if it has fluid in it that is the culprit.

If not the slave then replace the Master.
It can leak inbetween the double wall firewall.
No tell-tale fluid underhood or in the cockpit.

Most likely the slave.
I would replace the slave, but I rebuilt mine 4years/70k ago.
I also use Castrol GT fluid which is not petroleum base and is easier on the rubber.

[gabkwong]

I got the slave cylender last night from Mazdaspeed for a little under $50. Not bad, since the list price is over $80. I'll carry the fluid with me and top it off at every stop, and put the new slave cylander on next week. It looks like a pretty easy job.

Thanks,
Gab

[sammm]

It looks like a pretty easy job.

It is (remove the front-right wheel), but you will need to bleed the line after you replace the slave cyl.

[CosmosMpower]

When you change it next week I'd reccomend that you get a new bottle of brake fluid. While it's ok to probably top off the next few days I wouldn't refill the whole system with a bottle that's been open 3-4+ days, it will probalby absorb some water by then.

[POS Racing]

Before anyone calls Al Sharpton the clutch slave we are referencing is this part:

Note the boot on the cylinder that Rogue mentioned!

[channelmaniac]

Note the boot on the cylinder that Rogue mentioned!

Fixed.

[cam76034]

Before anyone calls Al Sharpton the clutch slave we are referencing is this part:

[gabkwong]

Before anyone calls Al Sharpton the clutch slave we are referencing is this part:

I am glad that you have explained it as clear as "black & white"!