1997 Tsi Clutch Problem!!

[Sheresh07]

Ok, so my Tsi is having this strange clutch problem where, when it's running cold the clutch works as it should, no problems what so ever, however when the engine gets up to running temp, it starts going almost all the way down to the floor before it disengages, and then re-engages right off the floor.

I have replaced both the master and slave cylinders TWICE with brand new parts, I've bled the system I don't know how many times and it's still doing it. Guy I bought it from said he had installed an Exedy Stage 2 Clutch, his "Buddy, the mechanic" did the install for him, dont know if that helps you guys.


Anyone know what might be going on? I'm thinking about bypassing the Clutch damper next to see if it makes a difference, but I wanted to check here first.

[Blackcrow64]

So are you having problems with it slipping when you let it out or is it still grabbing plenty hard? I had a clutch that would grip better the hotter it would get. I forget what type of material it was but it was a GREAT clutch. Took me about a week to get used to because it would grab so good, but I'm wondering if that is what you have going on here...

[Sheresh07]

Originally Posted by Blackcrow64

So are you having problems with it slipping when you let it out or is it still grabbing plenty hard? I had a clutch that would grip better the hotter it would get. I forget what type of material it was but it was a GREAT clutch. Took me about a week to get used to because it would grab so good, but I'm wondering if that is what you have going on here...

It grabs plenty hard I believe, the problem is when the temp gets up the clutch pedal goes soft on me, there is almost NO resistance on the way down right up until about an inch off the floor, and then it engages right off the floor but has trouble coming back up.

[Blackcrow64]

Hmmm... Has you fluid gone low in the reservoir any of these times after it has the problem? Even stranger if it returns to normal after cooling down... Perhaps the type of fluid you are using? DOT 3 or 4?

[Sheresh07]

Originally Posted by Blackcrow64

Hmmm... Has you fluid gone low in the reservoir any of these times after it has the problem? Even stranger if it returns to normal after cooling down... Perhaps the type of fluid you are using? DOT 3 or 4?

Nope fluid hasn't gone low, I use DOT 3 fluid, it doesn't fluctuate abnormally.

[Blackcrow64]

Wow I'm clueless what would be causing it then... I say rip out the clutch damper then. Most people usually do if they have any strange problems. You can get a short braided line from that connection there straight to the slave cylinder for a decent price at most DSM shops online. Or you could just bend your own hard line for dirt cheap. lol...

[Sheresh07]

Originally Posted by Blackcrow64

Wow I'm clueless what would be causing it then... I say rip out the clutch damper then. Most people usually do if they have any strange problems. You can get a short braided line from that connection there straight to the slave cylinder for a decent price at most DSM shops online. Or you could just bend your own hard line for dirt cheap. lol...

I tried to do that today, but the nuts on the line are so god damned torqued that I cant get em to move, I'll just strip them, was thinking about just cutting the lines, getting some braided line and reattaching that way to cut out the damper. Would that work?

[Blackcrow64]

Yeah, you can cut the line before the damper and then just put a fitting on it and then flare the cut end. Shouldn't be too hard to find an adapter fitting to go from hard line to braided line. Just make sure you get everything lined up first knowing all the adapters fit right with each other for no leaks. I had such a headache with that on my Firebird. I swear I made 6 different trips to Napa just to get the right adapters. Definitely doable that way though.