clutch feels loose - Honda Prelude Forum

pbarb · 11-23-2010, 08:48 PM

What's up guys. I got a 95 manual w/ vtec. Lately my clutch pedal feels loose like there is a pressure leak somewhere. Is this something that I can fix easily myself or is it a major job? Where should I check for a leak? Sorry if this is a noob question. Thanks.

iSAW · 11-24-2010, 12:38 AM

You should check the clutch master cylinder.

jsmooney · 11-24-2010, 06:15 AM

First, check your clutch fluid. It is likely that you're leaking fluid and the fluid has gone low. If there is no fluid in the reservoir, then fill it up with dot 3 and then pump the pedal to build up pressure....or reverse bleed it by squeezing on the slave cylinder.

That is most likely the case. The fluid is most likely caused by a leaking master cylinder

pbarb · 11-24-2010, 05:12 PM

thanks guys. the resevoir was low, so i topped it off with brake fluid. however the clutch has not stiffened up. Do i need to bleed out any air before it will stiffen up?

Also, if it is a bad master cylinder, which i suspect, how big of a job is it to replace that?

thanks again

minilogoguy18 · 11-24-2010, 06:53 PM

First you need to find out which is leaking, a bad slave can make the pedal soft too. The slave is easy to check, on the front of the trans and just see if it's noticeably leaking. As for the master you need to check 2 things, first under the hood, it's under your reservoir, you'll know it when you see it as the line from the reservoir will be going to it. If not seen under the hood you need to slide your driver seat all the way back, lay on the floor on your back and look up above your clutch pedal. Whenever the seal for the push rod going to the pedal goes bad it leaks down the firewall inside the cabin.

If you need to bleed the system the bleeder is on the slave. Get the helms manual (google will help you find a download of it) and read up. To change these things out you'll only need basic tools, if you don't have a flare nut wrench set for the hard lines you can use a normal open ended wrench just be careful as those are soft brass fittings.

pbarb · 11-24-2010, 07:45 PM

Thanks a lot for the useful info

iSAW · 11-24-2010, 10:29 PM

What they said. Just changed my master cylinder and slave and the bleeding is probably the hardest part. Takes a long, long time.

minilogoguy18 · 11-25-2010, 08:50 AM

Yes, unless you have a vacuum bleeder you're definitely going to need someone else to pump the pedal while you control the bleeder.

pbarb · 11-25-2010, 04:41 PM

Thanks to all. I think the hydralic system is leak free, but the clutch pedal just needs to be adjusted. It feels dead or empty for the first half of the pedal travel. Adjusting the pedal so that the clutch engages halfway instead of at the floor seems like a good idea. Are there any hazards I should watch for when adjusting the pedal? Thanks again.

iSAW · 11-25-2010, 09:34 PM

I am by no means a mechanic but the fact that you need to adjust your clutch pedal might mean that your clutch may be going. it may not go for a good while, but it gives you time to save up for one. i'm sure someone else will chime in and either prove me wrong or support my theory.

minilogoguy18 · 11-25-2010, 11:33 PM

Well too what I've seen happen is the slave goes bad and doesn't show any external leaking but the seals on the inside go bad and the way you can tell other than the soft pedal is the clutch fluid turns black from the seals breaking down.

Your clutch pedal doesn't just go out of adjustment, the only time it needs adjusting is after replacing the master cylinder. If your pedal has become soft and sinks to the floor before engaging something it wrong with the hydraulic system.