d00df00d

iTrader: (4)

When I first start my car after letting it sit overnight, the clutch pedal is kinda mushy but the clutch grabs fine around the middle of the pedal travel. As it warms up, the grab point moves closer to the top, which is fine.

But in heavy stop-and-go traffic (i.e. lots of pressing and releasing the clutch), the pedal stiffens a lot and the grab point moves so far up that the clutch barely grabs properly. I rarely catch it in time and it overheats pretty damn fast. If I get back on the highway, the pedal sorta returns to normal.

I'm near the end of my clutch's life but now would be a really bad time (financially) to have to throw down for a new one with all the labor involved. Any idea what might be causing this, and whether it's a semi-easy fix?

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Bleed, flush the clutch master/slave circuit. See if that helps your pedal.

the_3d_man

iTrader: (1)

i think you should check the clutch pedal free play... i thought i heard somewhere that the clutch pedal adjusts itself (i have no idea how) if you don't have the correct freeplay and can be annoying

d00df00d

iTrader: (4)

So maybe it's air in the system that's just getting really hot and expanding in stop-and-go traffic?

d00df00d

iTrader: (4)

Thought I'd drop back in and post my fix.

I looked at my clutch fluid and it was pretty nasty, so I figured that might be the problem. I drained it, re-filled with Valvoline synthetic DOT4 brake fluid and bled the system.

Problem solved.

tuner001

Wow you got off easy, my problem ended up being a slave cyl, and the cost of labor.

d00df00d

iTrader: (4)

Alright, update...

Turns out the problem is only MOSTLY gone. It still sorta happens sometimes. I probably need a new slave cylinder after all. That will probably wait until my clutch and flywheel...

1991tsi

iTrader: (2)

An old clutch tends to grab more towards the top of the pedal travel, but it would still be consistent. I'd say if your pedal feel is changing with driving its definitely a hydraulic issue. Aside from replacing parts, you may help the problem by adjusting your pedal - rotating the master cylinder plunger clockwise (viewed from driver's seat) will move the engagement point toward the floor since it will shorten the rod. good luck, whatever you try.

d00df00d

iTrader: (4)

UPDATE:

Flushed the system again, this time going through almost a full liter of brake fluid. The problem still hasn't gone away.

I'm convinced it's the heat. If I'm flying down the highway, I can crank away at the clutch all day and it'll be fine. One I hit stop-and-go traffic and there isn't as much airflow, game over.

I'll probably end up toughing it out until it's clutch time, and just replace all the hydraulics with it...

s0ber

iTrader: (7)

Maybe its time for that clutch R&R and SS clutch lines :d