I've been a lurker since '08. I've solved every problem up until now with searching. Seems like you guys have pretty much everything documented well.

It's cold here in central IL. I left work after letting the car warm up for about 10 minutes. Made it about a block away and then problem. I was at a stop sign and let the clutch out. As soon as the clutch hit friction spot, there was a *BOOM*, the car lurched forward and died.

The pedal stuck straight to the floor and stayed there. Being retarded, I put the stick in neutral and started the car to keep the heat going while I waited for a tow. It started, but there was a rotating "whirrrrr" noise from the transmission, so I shut it off.

The tow truck guy was the owner of a shop down the road and quoted me $350 for a new master cylinder. I don't have a garage and it's freakin cold, so I just said yes. He calls and said the slave is blown too, so that's another $250. I'm on a work hold with him at this point.

The guy has a good rep, but I don't see how master and slave can blow up at the same time. Maybe I'm retarded (possible), but I'd rather get an opinion from somebody who knows more than I do and isn't getting paid for it.

 

Withought you having the car on hand we can't help troubleshoot.

 

The car's a block away. I have the keys. It's on hand. I can't move it because the clutch isn't working, but it's at my disposal. Any help is appreciated.

 

First of all it sounds like too much money. A Clutch master cylinder is about $60, Slave cylinder $30.
Several things can make the pedal stay to the floor. First, a fluid leak. Worn seals in the master cylinder or salve. But none of these will cause a boom sound.
The only thing I can think that would make a sound, would be the fork pivot bolt brakes. Or the trow bearing came apart, or throw bearing guide shaft broke or came loose.

 

Thanks maxtrax. I'm with you on the money part, and that's why I'm asking questions. I don't have a garage, so working on the car in the cold is a no-go until March.

The fork looks fine. The boom sound came from the whole car lurching when the clutch suddenly lost pressure and engaged. At least I think so, I might be wrong.

 

Does the master have NO fluid in it? It is not likely for the master and slave to go at once. i would check the clutch lines first. most of them start to leak close to the slave cylinder. is there a lot of fluid on the transmission?

 

Quite possibly all the fluid leaked causing the clutch pedal w/ no pressure, slave cylinder stuck 1/4 way with clutch engaged causing the scratchy sound.

Do the 1 stainless clutch line and remove all the extraneous clutch lines.