I have a 2002 Maxima SE with 6 speed manual. 148,000KM on it, second owner.

About 3-5 times per year my reservoir of fluid for the clutch feels it needs to drain itself almost completely. I know this because the clutch starts to feel different and then I lose the hydrolic pressure on it.

So I fill the reservoir and after 1-3 days the clutch is back to normal.

Another 2-3 months same thing happens...so I top the reservoir up again and I'm fine.

I don't know if it's some very very slow leak or some event that triggers the leak, but it's quite strange.

Anyone have any ideas? I don't drive a huge number of KM per year, probably 10-12000. Just basically around the city and back and forth to work. Occasional highway trip...

Thanks
Darren

 

Your slave cylinder hose may be slowly leaking.

 

Mine did that. A Nissan OEM hose was around $50ish dollars.

 

i just picked up a braided stainless steel clutch hose for $25 shipped. forgot the name of distributor but i found them on this site

 

I am assuming that when you say "drain itself" that you mean it has been leaking slowly and that it finally get to the point where its low enough to ingest air into the system.

racetechperformance.com

They make quality lines (as would ANY local hydraulics shop around you, probably for cheaper too) that'll fit the max. They make a short line and a long line - I would highly recommend you buy the long line from them (or anywhere else) and eliminate the stock lines (hard and soft) currently used.

Otherwise the "leak" can be the slave and or master cylinder themselves. Internal OR external. Look for leaks. If you don't find any visually you can always add a little positive pressure (vacuum setup, syringe...etc) and see if you can then find a leak tracing from inside the car under the pedal assembly (if its leaking inside) to the master and all the way down the line(s) to the slave (make sure to pull the boot back on the slave to check).

 

I replaced mine with a stainless hose for $40 (I think). Haven't had any leaks since then.