Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 11:06:16 -0500
Reply-To: pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: No Clutch....
In-Reply-To: <20100202102207.VL5TR.199880.imail@eastrmwml49>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The reservoir is fail-safe for the brakes as the clutch draws fluid from a
higher point, i.e. if the clutch circuit completely fails and all the clutch
fluid drips out on the pavement, the brakes will still have plenty of fluid
left.
The clutch and brakes are 2 completely separate hydraulic systems. The fact
they share a storage tank doesn't mean much.
The biggest factor regarding longevity is replacing the brake fluid in both
systems every 2 years. The fluid constantly absorbs moisture which in turn
rusts and pits the bores of the cylinders, both clutch and brake.
And a big problem on vehicles that haven't had the fluid changed often is
this pitting, not necessarily the seals.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dave Mcneely
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 10:22 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: No Clutch....
Thanks. I have been told by a couple of mechanics that it does, but that
probably was regarding brakes.
BTW, does the fact that brakes and clutch share a reservoir make for shorter
life for either system than if each had completely separate hydraulics?
Does it mean that if one fails hydraulically, the other will (certainly
would in the case of leakage, since if one loses fluid, the other
automatically has done so)?
Thanks, Dave Mc
---- pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET> wrote:
> The piston is aluminum, not rubber.
> Also I don't think metal contraction due to temp is relevant here.
> The piston has a small rubber seal that I would bet is causing the
problem.
> Rubber gets hard when cold and doesn't seal that great.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Dave Mcneely
> Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 9:02 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: No Clutch....
>
> differential contraction of parts can allow fluid bypass more readily, I
> think. Though I have heard it suggested that if bypass is a sometime
> problem, cold will make it less likely because the cylinder itself
> contracts, while the piston is rubber and doesn't. But I guess my
ignorance
> is showing. David Mc
>
> ---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> > Cold weather has a way of making clutch and brake hydraulics suddenly
> fail.
> > Especially if the fluid is old and has enough moisture in it to make ice
> > crystals.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of
> > Bill Shawley
> > Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 6:56 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: No Clutch....
> >
> > Ok gurus, went out to show the van some love, (and to measure
something),
> > took the key to start it as well. Put my foot on the clutch and
straight
> to
> > the floor, no resistance. It is very cold, dark, and kind of
immobilized
> in
> > some shoveled snow, hardcore diagnostics can wait. No problems last
time
> I
> > drove it, may 4-6 weeks ago. Any guesses to trim the troubleshooting
> curve
> > for me?
> >
> >
> >
> > Ryan
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection.
> > http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/
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