Date:         Tue, 6 Nov 2007 08:48:21 -0700
Reply-To:     Ben Cichowski <cichowski@MONTANA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben Cichowski <cichowski@MONTANA.EDU>
Subject:      (Part II) Clutch Dies in Cold Weather
In-Reply-To:  <C354896B.2576%cichowski@montana.edu>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

25 Degrees this morning - same dead clutch. Yesterday, after it warmed up to
40, I went out and had NO problems what-so-ever with the clutch... (although
it still feels a little soft for my taste and can stick in gear a bit if I
hold the clutch in too long - another hydraulic clue...)

So, as per my own thoughts and the thoughts of several others on the list,
it looks like hydraulics are likely to blame (If I am missing something,
someone please give a shout! - and by all means, feel free to tell me I'm
being stupid and missing something obvious...things tend to stick better
that way).

I had my wife pump the clutch this morning as I watched the slave. The Slave
moved...a very little bit and seemed like it was trying to push the lever,
but then, CLICK, the lever pushed back. She kept getting the soft peddle
syndrome again and again and I noted maybe 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of movement
on the slave.

Unfortunately...I'm not sure this rules out any particular components. I
guess it could be the slave leaking...it could be the clutch master...I
guess it could even be something binding in the tranny (but I think given
the cold weather...I can safely say it is something hydraulic).

The Slave does NOT LOOK new - it seems a bit rusty for 6K the PO says it has
on it...hmmmm.... Also, I forgot to note in the last post that the slave and
clutch master cyl were both listed as replaced when I purchased the vehicle.

Even thought the master cyl looks new (compared to the slave), my gut is
still leaning that direction. What do you all think? I've got to get going
on it pretty quickly, as the snow will fly any day now and I'm about to be
on new-baby duty in a few weeks.

Cheers,
Ben


On 11/5/07 8:48 AM, "Ben Cichowski" <cichowski@montana.edu> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Thought I had this fixed...20 Degrees F this morning tells me otherwise!
>
> My clutch goes to the floor in cold weather (usually below 40 F). I thought
> it was air or moisture in the lines, so I had it pressure bled and replaced
> with new hydro fluid.
>
> Seems to push down "Dead," then stay there...then it might pop back up and
> feel like it has pressure...but pushing it down again does nothing.
>
> The PO had put a new slave cyl, and pressure plate in about 6K ago - maybe a
> bad part??
>
>
> Any ideas from you seasoned vets would be great - Thanks,
>
> Ben
> 88 Wofsburg Weekender ej22 (KEP adaptor)
>