sbmellen

So, here's the story: Got the clutch replaced about 1,000 miles ago with a full clutch kit and brand-new flywheel. (Original clutch replacement at about 118,000 miles on the B5A4 2.8 QMS.) Everything with the new clutch worked fine for about a month.

Step forward to today. I got into my car today in 113°F heat, pushed the clutch to the floor and tried to start the car. LURCH FORWARD. WTF? Gear still in first, clutch still engaged, and then can't get the car out of 1st (car not running). Clutch pedal stuck to the floor. So, I lift it up with the top of my foot and pump it about 4-5 times. Got some firmness back! Able to take the car out of gear and able to start the car with the clutch engaged. Kind of strange going home, clutch is very spongy and clutch engagement was really not normal, very low on the clutch pedal length travel.

Thoughts:

* Brake fluid (clutch cylinder, too) is about 4 years old. At least. Bleed/cleanse with new fluid to see if this solves it? P.S.: Brakes have been shady too, lately, especially in this hot weather.

* Brake cylinder diaphram rubber: Could it be going on a 9-yr-old car?

* Clutch return spring: Do these ever need replacing? Mine's stock (Again, 9 years-old).

* Just the ambient temperature? Could 113°F+ weather have that much effect on clutch slave cylinder performance, especially when the fluid is like, at least, 3.5 years old?

Thanks!

Allroady DungBeetle

Bleed the system including the slave cylinder. You may have a bad Mr. Slave (cylinder)

4Driver4

But first pull the feed hose off the brake fluid reservior to make sure the system is getting fluid.

Allroady DungBeetle

Well, yeah... but he said it needs a bleeding anyway so that will tell him? Anyway...

4Driver4

Fer sur. I meant it as a "before bleeding" step rather than an "instead of" step. ;-)

keihin38

I realize I'm late to this thread but I've dealt
with this exact problem and it turned out that
it was the fluid. The plastic clutch slave and
master cylinder parts and seals can't tolerate
anything but basic DOT3. I had bled my brakes
and put in ATE blue fluid when I started to
experience the pedal staying on the floor with
the clutch still engaged on hot days. The cure
for me was to add a separate fluid reservoir
for the clutch and bleed it out thoroughly with
Gunk-brand, DOT3 fluid. If you've had the wrong
fluid in there for too long, you may have to
replace the slave and master cylinders.