clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder question

[rojeho]

92 318, went out this morning, pedal very soft but it still engaged gears smoothly, just down near the floor. Fluid in master cylinder may be a little low but not too much. There is a small puddle under the car in the trans area. I would assume it's the slave cylinder, but is there a way to know if it is the main or the slave?

[islandtime]

Not really a fool proof way to know but a leak pretty much is.

[sunbrn]

Is it wet at the slave cyl? around the boot?

[rojeho]

I was on the way to the airport. Had to hop in a different car so no time to look at it before I left.

[dano670]

I had the master cylinder go out twice. One time I got a couple of pushes on the pedal and then it failed. The second time it was abrupt. Neither time there was fluid on the outside of the car. I would guess it was the slave cylinder.

[flyfishvt]

Sure sounds like classic slave cylinder. Its pretty easy to remove the slave. Only 2 nuts holding it in place. If its the slave it will be very wet. DO NOT push the clutch with the slave out of the tranny. The piston will come flying out and you'll end up getting a new slave whether you needed one or not.

I really doubt its the main seal. They rarely leak enough to leave a puddle unless thy are really bad. They kind of ooozzz oil a little bit. it would be an enormous coincidnece that your main seal and slave went out at the same time. I really doubt its the master. They tend to fail without leaking externally. The seals inside wear out so they can't build pressue.

[MParallel]

Might check the clutch pedal for play as well. It's plastic and over the years the eye and/or bushing wears out, giving it much lateral play.

This could aggrivate the master cylinder problem.