Yesterday my clutch suddenly got real soft. I could push it almost all the way down before I felt it engage. Sometimes it would stay down (not spring back up) and other times it would come up. I was told the clutch fluid went in the small fill container just in front of the driver seat. I checked it and it appeared to be low. I filled it with DOT 4 fluid, pumped the clutch many times and it still did not help much. If I push in the clutch and feel a little tension (like it is engaging) then it will go in gear, but for the most part it will not go in gear. It has been rather cold letely (20s-30s). Would that have an effect? Did I need to bleed the clutch if it was low on fluid and I added some? I have 145K on the car and don't think the clutch was replaced before I bought it (@ 46K). I plan on bringing it in today to have it looked at, but would love to have an idea of what might be the problem before I have someone tear it apart. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

Sounds like a clutch slave cylinder. Its a lot like the master cylinder for the bakes except for the clutch. Its like a $30.00-$45.00 item and not hard to replace if you've got the time and the tools. On your third gen. it should be on the front of the engine(standing directly in front of grill). Just look for the line or have a friend step on the clutch while you look for movement. Its a straight bolt off and bolt on and once swapped out you just have to bleed the system the same way as bleeding your brakes. If you don't know how you'll need a second set of hands or feet. Make sure the reservoir is fill with fluid then pump the clutch eight to ten times hold it to the floor and have your helper open the bleeder valve to allow air and old fluid to bleed out for a few second or two. re-tighten the bleeder and then repeat until the fluid is clear(new)and free from bubbles(air) and your done. Two things to make sure of 1)Make sure you don't get brake fluid on the paint it will dis-color and remove it. 2) make sure during the bleeding procedure that the reservoir doesn't go dry of fluid or you'll suck air into the line and have to start again. Its messy but easy relatively easy to do.
Good luck

 

I blew the throwout bearing in my old truck and it did much the same thing. only difference is there were nice crunching sounds when I pushed the pedal in because of the pieces of the bearing rubbing against the clutch..

it also wasn't a hydraulic clutch, so that eliminated that part.. I certainly hope it's just your slave cylinder, as the throwout bearing will force them to remove the tranny to get to. $$$$. good luck!