A month ago I experienced low pressure in the clutch pedal of my 2000 Nissan Maxima.
Once depressed, and a gear was engaged, the clutch pedal would only come return half way up. I would pull it up with my foor, yet this became annoying.

After a couple days experiencing this issue, it stopped.

Two weeks later, the issue restarted, this time the clutch only returns 1/4 of the way after depressing.
As soon as I place my foot on the pedal it sinks 3/4 of the way. It has no pressure, besides the pressure I experienced once press the clutch agaisnt the floor, engage the gear and let it retract.
However it retracts onl 1/4 of the way.

Yesterday, a friend and I bled the system, checked the master cylinder and checked for leaks.
I have been keeping an eye on my clutch fluid. It has not changed.
We found no leaks, and we replaced the clutch fluid with DOT3 brake fluid.

The clutch pedal is acting the same.
The car is driveable, and I am able to shift gears (ALTHOUGH every now and then the gear will grind or prevent me from engaging it completely) For the most part though it is acting fine besides the lack of pressure.


WHAT is my next move?
I have searched the threads and found several threads with clutch issues, but nothing quite as similar as my situation. In most cases in seems replacing the slave cylinders, or clutch solved the issue.

Should I replace my slave cylinder, or pressure plate? Possibly both, but where to start, what is my next move?

Thank You.

 

sounds like your clutch master is done. there is an internal leak, that is why you are not seeing lost in fluid.

 

That is probably correct. Although, how many miles do you have on the clutch?

My advice is to replace both the master and the slave at the same time . . . otherwise you will be back in the shop a short time later to replace the slave.

Also, I had THE WORST PROBLEM with having the shop properly bleed the clutch system. After driving for 20 mins or so, I would essentially become unable to use the clutch. Fortunately I know how to shift without it.

They tried to bleed it three times but never got it right. Tried to tell me that my clutch had gone bad and I needed an new clutch. Finally, I found someone to properly bleed it. Apparently it is not an easy job. I can fix most things but usually leave the hydraulics to others.

 

Same thing happened to my 01. It finally expired and I had to be towed. I replaced the clutch master and slave and everything was great. A couple of weeks later...same thing. This time I felt it must be the clutch itself, so I replaced clutch assembly (kit) and I still had the same problem...pedal sticking to the floor. I then put another clutch master in it and finally the car was repaired. In my case the pressure plate had gotten so stiff that the clutch master couldn't handle it and it failed again. The pressure plate was the culprit all along. Was your clutch pedal hard to push down? These things can be a little tricky to bleed. There are 2 ports for bleeding that most don't see, as one is semi hidden.

 

THank YOu for your advice gentlemen

still driving the car without any issues besides the clutch not returning all the way, but it still has a bit of pressure.

what do you mean by internal leak? Would there not be less fluid if anything?


the clutch is not hard, it is very soft and easy, as soon as i place my foot on it, it sinks 3/4 of the way. It doesn't stick to the floor, it wont return entirely, there is still a small amount of pressure holding it out and allowing me to use it properly at least.