2001 Ford ZX2 Clutch Problem

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I have a 2001 Ford ZX2 with 170,000 miles on it. The clutch pedal doesn't engage the clutch until it is almost touching the floorboard. I thought it had a hydraulic clutch being a 2001 but I can't find a reservoir for the fluid so now I must assume now that it is a mechanical clutch. So 2 questions:

1. Does anyone know if they hide the reservoir on these ZX2's?
2. What could cause the clutch issue?

Thanks for any help in advance.

[mechhound]

The master cylinder should be on the engine side of the firewall, probably inward of the brake master cylinder.

Low on fluid would cause your problem, likely from a leaking slave or possibly master cylinder.

NOTE I am shooting from the hip with this answer, as I am not directly familiar with the Escort.

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Thanks Mechhound for the response. Yeah, definitely not a second reservoir on the firewall. I was hoping that they hide it somewhere. Do you know what can cause my issue with a mechanical clutch?

[MikeCStig]

If your clutch is mechanical, the linkage may have somehow slipped out of adjustment. There is usually a way to adjust the pushrod that's attached to the clutch pedal on both mechanical and hydraulic systems.
How are the gear changes? The reason I ask is because what you're describing sounds like it could be a symptom of a burned out clutch. If the shifter starts to feel unusually clunky or the gears start grinding, that's another bad sign.

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MikeCStig: The clutch seems to shift fine yet although has 170,000 on the clutch. The wife has driven it since we purchased it and she babies it. For years every now and again it is hard to shift into gear but then it gets easy again, so that kind of makes me think that your first inclination is correct. The linkage may have moved or the nylon inserts in the linkage may have worn out. That's atleast a place to start. Thanks for your help.