1999 Ranger Clutch Problem

Aloha everyone. I am hoping that someone here can help me.

I have a 1999 Ford Ranger 3.0L V6, standard transmission. A while ago, when in traffic and clutching a lot I noticed my clutch pedal gets loose. Another words, it takes very little effort to push. Mostly just touching it and it goes about 1/2 down. At the time that was the only problem. Later on, after the truck was idle the problem would go away. It only occurred during periods involving a lot of clutching.

Now however, the problem has become worse. It still only happens in traffic (lots of clutching) but it is more significant and I have a great deal of trouble shifting into 1st or 2nd gear while the problem is occurring. Under normal circumstances when not problem shifting, when the problem is occurring the clutch is "loose" and I have trouble getting into 1st and 2nd gear.

I did check the fluid level and it is fine, at the full mark.

Any thoughts on what might be wrong and what I can expect to pay for it to be fixed? Any help would be a real plus.

Thanks everybody in advanced.

Aloha,
Mike

i didn't know the clutch had a reservoir.

The clutch fluid reservoir is located between the fuses and the fender on the drivers side.

There is little about the clutch assembly that can vary with time or situation ... its usually bad/failing or it isn't, it doesn't sometimes "heal" itself for a period. The same for the slave cylinder ... well, kinda, sometimes the internal spring can crack and cause flackiness .. but this is rare. (This is not to say that yours' are in great shape ... they just don't "vary" from time to time).

What can vary is the master cylinder ... so I vote for it. ... and the fluid, it can have particulates swirling around. I would change out both.