2001 SE 5sp, 173k miles.

changed clutch hose and the master last year.... so about 12 months later, I am noticing this -

If I step on the pedal firmly, like I usually would during normal driving, everything works fine.

But if at a traffic light, I rest my foot on the pedal, it will sink down about half way, to the point that I will need to lift my foot to let the pedal come up and then step on it firmly to put car into gear.

I am guessing either the master or the slave has some issue here? It doesn't really bother me right now, but I am concerned that it might fail suddenly at the worst time (I do have to make long trips once in a while)

Or is this something that will just get worse gradually? in which case I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

I'm not sure why you are resting your foot on the clutch pedal at all.

To answer your question, you've got the hydraulic line, slave cylinder, and master cylinder to look at. Three major components fairly easy to diagnose separately. What is the fluid level in your reservoir? Have you looked for signs of leaks? I would open the hood and start from there. Go from one end of the system and work towards the other.

 

thanks - there are no noticeable leaks... fluid level is steady.

let me just say if I step on the pedal very slowly, it sinks.

 

Sounds like the master cylinder if there are no signs of external leaks and the fluid level remains the same. It's not uncommon for new mc's to be crap out of the box. Especially, aftermarket. Ask Essential. He's had the same experience. He echoes what many do: Buy Nissan original for your MC.

 

 

I was told by my mechanic the slave cylinder causes that. Mine done it a few times after a stage 3 clutch was installed. Hasn't done it in a few 1000 miles tho.