Art,

Check the hose that runs from the side on the brake fluid reservoir to the
clutch master cylinder.  You may also want to check the grommet at the
clutch m/c as well.

Hopefully, you won't need to replace the clutch m/c.

Cheers,

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Art McGinn
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 2:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: leaking clutch master cylinder?

   ever since i got it a year ago, there has been fluid (brake, i assume)
showing up on the steering column near the clutch pedal on our '82 westy,
suggesting a leak up there in the fluid holding  tank. i just poured in
another 8 ounces to refill it.  this is the second time i have needed to
refill the reservoir since i got the van. the brakes work fine. on the
clutch, i have a vague suspicion that there is some air in the system (are
there two different systems, one for clutch and one for brakes, in this
setup? both drawing from the same fluid reservoir?).  but the clutch
otherwise works fine too. the question is: are we looking at replacing the
whole clutch master cylinder here or could there be a less drastic solution
to plugging the leak?  it's hard to tell the exact source of the escaping
fluid? alas, i am no mechanic and so must always go to someone who is.  tia.
art