Clutch problem....won't disengage when hot...

[drunkgordon]

Hello everybody,
Wondered if someone could shed some light on my problem.
I have an 02 P5 and now that the weather has turned warm this problem is getting worse and worse.
If the car is hot (driven more than 20 min in stop and go traffic) the clutch seems like it will not disengage completely. It is very difficult to engage first from a stop and shifting needs to be very slow and deliberate to not grind the gears.
I have checked the fluid level and bled the slave (no leaks anywhere) so I am wondering if it is a master problem.
Wondered if this is a common problem?
Thanks
Lee

 

[tweety2300]

Are you having any issues with your brakes? Does it creek and groan when u push the clutch in?

 

[Balls]

I have the same problem w/ mine. I have tried pretty much everything I can think of, short of replacing the clutch to no avail. Tweety2300, there is some creak and groan, what does that indicate?

 

[drunkgordon]

The brakes operate perfect.
The clutch does not make any unusual noises and works perfect when cold.
I can only assume there is an issue with the master seals letting air into the system when they get hot.

 

[tweety2300]

Creek and groans is usually bad slave cylinder (I listen to mine daily drives me nuts). Drunk gordon are you losing brake fluid? My master slave cylinder did kinda what your talking about just seems like your not pushing in the clutch all the way?

 

[drunkgordon]

Doesnt lose fluid at all.
I first thought that the clutch wasnt going to the floor but it is and when the car is cold it shifts without problem. It is a weird problem.

 

[tweety2300]

Was there air in it when u bled it?

 

[drunkgordon]

There were a few small air bubbles but nothing really that affected pedal pressure.

 

[goodfornothing]

I have a similar problem, however my slave does creak and squeak. Maybe you have a bad throwout bearing?

 

[JReichle1]

I would try replacing the slave cylinder, it might be getting weak...

 

[tweety2300]

If you had air in it it got in there somehow. Look under the dash at the clutchpedal and see if there's in dampness or if its like mine was itl drip but if its that your master slave cyl is bad if its not that its probly your master cylinder. Or best case you just have a lot of air in your line

 

[Flav]

I have the same problem and a Super noob question. What's the difference between the master and slave cylinder? (lol I feel a witty comment on the rise) iknow where the slave cylinder is and why it does but not the master.
And if it is either of those that are weak, so u need to replace the whole thing?
Lastly, if it is weak will this effect your brakes? Example I replaced calipers and pads etc and bled the brakes....4? Times and it's still weak.

 

[Flav]

^ wow sorry for the s*** spelling, thanks auto correct!

 

[tweety2300]

In laymans terms master cylinder holds the brake fluid the slave cylinder engages and disengages the clutch.if one is bad you only need to replace it not everything. Did you bleed you brakes in the right order? (Passenger rear then driver rear then passenger front then drivers front) there is no such thing as a stupid question. No one is born knowing everything. There is a such thing as a stupid answer though

 

[Flav]

haha yeah

and yes I was actually taught that proper way via another P5 owner actually.
but we did properly bleed the brakes, each and every time we did some air came out though.
So i'm guessing we might have to do that a few more times until the brakes have some good pressure again.

And as for the shifting, after reading this thread I believe it must be the same problem I'm having. Correct me if im wrong, but the fluid you put in your brake resevoir works through your clutch as well? so if my brakes are weak then my clutch isn't getting enough pressure to engage/disengage properly yes? So it must be either my slave or master cylinder. Is there a way to do maintenance on the slave? or is that just a part I should replace all together?

 

[Balls]

I replaced the slave cylinder a few months ago, and although it is better, it is not entirely gone.