On a 95 civic dx.....

I noticed my master cylinder was leaking so I replaced it and bled the fluid...pressure was good for about a week...went to check the fluid level (opened the cylinder) and the fluid level was fine.

Then today I notice the clutch slowly losing pressure, checked the fluid level again and is normal. The slave and master are fine and fluid is good.

My question is...what else can cause the clutch to lose pressure? Could it just be air in the cylinder from opening it to check?

Thanks and any input would be appreciated!

 

Start by bleeding the hydraulic system again. Also check whether the clutch fork is broken or cracked where it contacts the slave cylinder push rod.

 

I will bleed the system again when I get home from work and check on the clutch fork.

thanks

 

I bought a one-man bleed tool from Harbor Freight Tools for $4. It made bleeding the clutch (or brakes) really easy.

 

you can also try and replace the soft line from the passenger rail going to the clutch slave. the soft lines can go bad and swell up under pressure. a stock replacement is fine but if you want to buy a upgrade then go with a braided line which is alot less likely to swell out under the pressure.

 

I just bled the clutch. Pressure seems good for now. Also checked the fork and it seemed ok.

If the pressure goes again ill look into replacing the soft line.

I didn't know there was a tool for that...sounds convenient...

Anyhow....I think it's time for a new civic, this has been a great car but the little things going wrong with it lately have started to add up! thanks for the help guys

 

update...

After bleding the clutch again the pressure is gone. No fluid leak. The clutch is slowly and consistantly losing pressure (it doesnt matter if your driving or the car is sitting).

I have not tried to replace the soft line yet. Could it be possible I have a falty master cylinder? I got it from napa. It seems like the system is slowly getting air...but it doesn't leak any fluid. Any ideas?

 

If you are convinced that you bled the system thoroughly, then the master or slave cylinder may be bad.

 

when you bleed the lines do you just turn the screw and pump the peadal till you dont see air?
if so get the tool ron j is talking about, i always use a piece of clear vinal tubing and a water bottle for the fluid to leak in so i dont make a mess and so i can actually see when the bubbles stop coming. and you can retighten the screw without possibly alowing air to suck back in...