Weird Clutch Issue

[nickolijazz]

I'm confused about a clutch problem I have. Overnight, my clutch went from functional to inoperative. I was unable to get into 1st or reverse without a lot of difficulty. Throughout the day, it became harder and harder, and other gears become difficult too. I have no leaks, good fluid level. I have good piston movement. The master cylinder and slave cylinder were both replaced twice before by the previous owner. Currently cylinders are only 15,000 miles old. What is going on?

[Davescort97]

Welcome to AF! You have some air in the system. Bleed the clutch at the slave cylinder.
Keep the master cylinder full as you are doing it. If the master and slave cylinders were replaced twice by the previous owner maybe they need to be replaced again. I've no idea why they have such a short life. Mayble the clutch rod which goes into the master cylinder is out of alignment. Do you need info about how the bleed the clutch? Later Dave

[inafogg]

could be a coincidence!! how does the pedal feel?where does the clutch engauge when releasing(just off the floor or at the top)?

[12Ounce]

Why were the cylinders replaced?

I suspect contamination. Perhaps the wrong fluid ... perhaps old fluid that absorbed atmospheric water ... making rust, wiping out sealing surfaces.

The immediate problem is the master cylinder. I would get a new one. Get a new reservoir or thoroughly clean the old one. Empty system using old master or just draining. Install new master, and flush, flush, flush .... using new fluid.

I like DOT5 fluid for clutch systems .... or the synthetic stuff by Valvoline ... "Synpower" or something like that.

[Markb873]

I've had a rusty release fork in the bellhousing cause those symptoms before.
-Mark