Sticking Clutch

[csmutny]

I have a 1987 944S and recently I have been having problems with my clutch. Yesterday, when I released my foot, the clutch petal stopped halfway. I slid my foot underneath and pulled up. The pedal snapped up with a loud pop/bang. After that it feels almost like a piece of gum is on the back of the pedal when it is fully depressed. Any ideas on what to look for would be appreciated.

Chris

[stray15]

I finally got this same problem solved after almost a year. After I got my clutch replaced last july, in august my pedal did that. A few days later I noticed a puddle under the car. It turned out to be the brake fluid from the clutch master cylender. I replaced that(easy job) then about a month later the same thing happened, this time it was the clutch slave cylender. Replaced that(also easy). Then in January the slave cylender failed again so I went back to the place that I got the first one and they gave me the new part for free. Then about a month ago the pedal started doing it again. But this time no pudel. So I called my mechanic, that I got the parts from and we decided that he will check it out and replace any of the parts, but i will pay for the labor. No big deal, turned out to be the master cl. this time. He said this doesn't normally happen that way.

If you don't notice any visible leaks, then I would replace the clutch master and slave cylender at the same time.

Hope it turns out better for you than me.

---

Porsche, through and through
Tim
'83 944
http://community.webshots.com/user/strayer15

http://www.geocities.com/tstray15/Home.html

[Rob-O]

Clutch is gone.

[stray15]

Originally posted by Rob-O:
Clutch is gone.

No its not man, its just the slave or master cylender.

---

Porsche, through and through
Tim
'83 944
http://community.webshots.com/user/strayer15

http://www.geocities.com/tstray15/Home.html

[csmutny]

Can someone explain what exactly the functions of the two cylinders, master and slave, are?

Chris

[cjoven]

mine did the same today. we bled the system still same it would stick at the lalf way point. there is an internal leak in the master clutch cylinder.

[Rob-O]

Well, the master cylinder takes the pressure from your foot on the clutch pedal and sends fluid (brake fluid, actually, look at the hose routing for this under your hood) and sends it towards the clutch slave cylinder. The slave clylinder just actuates an arm that releases the clutch inside the bellhousing.

If in doubt, and this is majorly expense to repair, take it to the dealer while it is still functioning. If they say it's the master, then you can replace it yourself. Same with the slave cylinder, not that big of a deal. But remember to bench bleed whichever one you replace. Then bleed the system and ride off into the sunset.

If it's the clutch, start collecting any outstanding loans you've made...

You can do it yourself, depending on how mechanically inclined you are. I think the last time I checked the dealer wanted $2000 parts and labor. And that's if they didn't break anything while replacing it.

[Ehab]

Definitely the master/slave cylinders need to be replaced ... it happened to my car while my mechanic was replacing the cooling fan, he replaced both cylinders and voila ... although it cost me around $450 for that job .. I had no choice, since the clutch wouldn't move at all ... according to the mechanic.

[cjoven]

My clutch pedal is worse today, it does not come back up at all after I bled it, it is stuck to the floor.

How can I tell if it is the master or if it is the slave that needs to be replaced?

[stray15]

Did you notice any fluid on the ground?

If I were you I would kill two birds with one stone and replace both at the same time. If you do it yourself you can get it done for about $175.

---

Porsche, through and through
Tim
'83 944
http://community.webshots.com/user/strayer15

http://www.geocities.com/tstray15/Home.html

[cjoven]

more news, i started the car and pumped on the clutch pedal and pessure started to build up, clutch comes up half was after a few pumps. but if left for an hour or 2 clutch will go back to floor.

no leaks anywhere.

is it a possible internal leak in the ,aster cylinder? because if the slave were to fail no pressure at all would build up??

please any help

[stray15]

Originally posted by cjoven:

is it a possible internal leak in the master cylinder? because if the slave were to fail no pressure at all would build up??

Yeah

Do the master first.....but it has been known that after you replace one, the other will go bad.

---

Porsche, through and through
Tim
'83 944
http://community.webshots.com/user/strayer15

http://www.geocities.com/tstray15/Home.html

[MDESMOND]

Originally posted by stray15:
Yeah

Do the master first.....but it has been known that after you replace one, the other will go bad.

---

Porsche, through and through
Tim
'83 944
http://community.webshots.com/user/strayer15

http://www.geocities.com/tstray15/Home.html

I agree with the master/slave cylinder diagnosis. Check up under the floormat/carpet in the driver's footwell to see if the fluid is leaking into the car. This can happen and you will never know it. If not, one of the two (master or slave) is probably leaking internally.

Changing the two out is not difficult but it can be time consuming. Bleeding the system can be a bear; use a power bleeder of some sort to make your life easier

[Craig944]

Most likely the master cylinder. I've had this problem, but more extreme. Take the master cylinder off the car, and disassemble it at a table w/ newspaper or something. Take close look at the rubbers, if there is any obvious defect note it. Sometimes, a part of the cylinder will wear or break, and start allowing air to get in. You might be able to just replace all the rubber pieces of the cylinder for a good price(make sure the dimensions are right). You won't find them on any porsche site, because they'd rather just sell you the entire cylinder. If you'd rather not go through the trouble, just buy a Master Cylinder. I got mine for 55$. Be sure to bleed your clutch after the new cylinder is put in...

[Cake944]

When I bought my 84 earlier this year, the clutch pedal stayed on the floor. I did a little investigating and undercarriage cleaning to determine the problem. After I did the cleaning, I filled the brake fluid resivoir with FRESH fluid. After two days of sitting, there was a puddle under my car. I looked again and the only place that was wet under the car as in the inspection hole in the clutch housing. I put in a new slave cylinder (rebuild kit was about $28 and a new one was about $42 from Vertex.) Bled the system, and the problem was solved. It took a little time (about an hour) to bleed with my wife pumping the pedal. About a week later I checked the master cylinder and ended up replacing that too.