Clutch Saga in my '88

[megerian]

I had a post earlier about the puddle in my garage:

New Puddle in Garage

I want to share what happened next, to get opinions, and because its my first real problem in 6 months of ownership.

So my symptoms were (1) low brake fluid reservoir (2) puddle in garage and (3) clutch occasionally sticks when cold. I wasn't sure that (3) was related, but I was pretty sure that (1) and (2) were related. I took it in to a good local mechanic, and was told that the clutch slave cylinder was leaking, and that all 3 symptoms were related. They said that when they replaced the clutch slave cylinder, he was having strange behavior bleeding it, and determined that the master also needed to be replaced. The final word today was that even after replacing both, they didn't like the action on the clutch, and found that the pedal and the rod had some spot welds, and they wanted to replace both because they feel that the clutch was never engaging completely right, which led to the other problems.

Total cost about $1k.

So... opinions on the cost?? I checked the parts costs alone on pelican, and its approaching $300-$400, so $1k for the whole job doesn't seem too terrible.

Also, what about the theory that the problems with the pedal and the rod, and its improper action and engagement leading to the other problems in the master and slave cylinders. Does that reasoning make sense to you folks?

[aj88cab]

I'm not feeling all warm and fuzzy about the "pedal & rod having some spot welds". I'd like a little more definitive explination before I spent $1K...

[wildcat077]

How can he determine that your master is defective if your brakes function properly ...
It is the same master that supplies the same fluid to your calipers and your clutch slave cylinder!
You have to get a Porsche mechanic to work on your car,not some local guy who fixes Toyotas and Chevy Cavaliers ...
There are certain procedures regarding Porsche cars maintenance that are not common to other vehicles and the mechanic should be aware of them.

Most people read a Bentley manual then try to understand the hows and whys of Porsche cars.
Unfortunately it seems like your mechanic is "pissing in the wind"without really knowing for sure what he's doing !

Do yourself a favor and bring your car to a real mechanic !!!

Cheers !
Phil

[ibeaudoin]

Originally Posted by wildcat077

How can he determine that your master is defective if your brakes function properly ...
It is the same master that supplies the same fluid to your calipers and your clutch slave cylinder!
You have to get a Porsche mechanic to work on your car,not some local guy who fixes Toyotas and Chevy Cavaliers ...
There are certain procedures regarding Porsche cars maintenance that are not common to other vehicles and the mechanic should be aware of them.

Most people read a Bentley manual then try to understand the hows and whys of Porsche cars.
Unfortunately it seems like your mechanic is "pissing in the wind"without really knowing for sure what he's doing !

Do yourself a favor and bring your car to a real mechanic !!!

Cheers !
Phil

Brakes and Clutch are sharing the same fluid reservoir but have different hydraulic circuit. Clutch has a master (behind the floor board) and a slave cylinder.

[AVDCAV]

Just do it yourself. " I would apply that money
To new slave and master for tranny and new speed and
Reference sensor while I was in there.

You will spend a full day save $500. And have piece of mind
The speed and ref sensor are not going to leave you stranded.

Use BMW sensors much cheaper ,,

Good luck.

[AVDCAV]

Oohhh yeah and a motive
Power bleeder ,

[KTL]

If the mechanic was pedal-pumping to bleed it, that could be the cause of their dislike of the pedal action. The master just doesn't push enough fluid to effectively bleed the system. Pressure bleeding is suggested, and is the instructed method in the factory service information.

Spot weld on the pedal could be possible. Clutch pedals/shafts are known to break when people neglect a stiff clutch. But i'd question the mention of the rod. The only rods in the clutch actuation system are the master and slave pushrods. Everything else is fluid lines, with the exception of the minor linkage connecting the pedal to the master cylinder.

While they may have unnecessarily replaced the master cylinder, it's probably not a bad idea if it was the original one. 23 years is a lot to expect from a master cylinder that is pedalled a lot of times.

[megerian]

Thanks a lot for the input. I don't think the mechanic is inexperienced... he's an older guy with certifications all over the wall from various german manufacturers, and he came recommended from some Porsche owners.

[KTL]

Well if the clutch actuation system isn't feeling right, then it might be prudent to take a look at the clutch itself. If you don't know the service history of the clutch or release fork, there could be a problem there. The fork cross-shaft has been known to cause all sorts of problems with actuation. Broken slave cylinders, stiff clutch, damaged bellhousing are some of the common failure modes due to a faulty cross-shaft