[Supras] The case of the disappearing clutch fluid

[Bob Schultz]

Look under your carpet....  It's all there....

I had the same problem and I replaced the master cylinder with a Raybestos
unit.  It was reasonably priced and has lasted at least 10 years so far

It would be a good idea to replace the slave also but I did get lucky and
still have the OEM one on my car

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: supras-bounces at supras.com [mailto:supras-bounces at supras.com] On Behalf
Of Suprarossa at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 9:58 AM
To: supras at supras.com
Subject: [Supras] The case of the disappering clutch fluid

OK, so i go out to the garage yesterday and uncover the '92 to do some  
errands because it hasn't been run in a couple of weeks and our brutal cold
snap  
was easing somewhat. The clutch pedal goes flat to the floor with no
resistance 
 when I go to start it. It will engage (allowing the car to start), but the

engagement point is right there at the carpet level.
 
I check the reservoir and it is pretty low (float resting at the bottom),
so 
I add fluid, back the car out and let it warm up in the driveway, pumping
the 
 clutch a couple of times. Gradually, it starts to get some resistance in
it, 
and  the engagement point rises. A check of the garage floor under where it 
was  parked reveals no fluid, and via mirror and flashlight there are no 
visible  leaks from the reservoir or master cylinder area, the bell housing 
linkages, or  under the dash. I drive it about 50 miles in combination
highway and 
city  driving, and while the shifts are smooth, the engagement point remains

several  inches lower than when I drove it last, with nothing but "free
play" from 
the  top resting point to the engagement point. When I get back home I check

the  reservoir again to find it still full.
 
So what happened here? The reservoir cap is creating a good seal so  
evaporation isn't anticipated. The weather has been very cold the last few
days  
(highs in the 20s to lower 30s, lows in the low teens), but nothing that the
car  
hasn't already seen in past winters. And the garage never drops below
freezing. 
 And with a full reservoir, why have my clutch characteristics changed?
 
TIA for the help!
 
Greg Altig
Keymar, MD

'92 & '89 (x2) Mk III Turbo/Targa/5  speed
"The 5 liter eaters"
_http://www.geocities.com/suprarossa_ (http://www.geocities.com/suprarossa) 
_http://www.mdsupras.com_ (http://www.mdsupras.com/) 
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