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Subject:Re: [Diesel-Vanagon] Clutch master/slave failed?
From:Al and Sue Brase
Date:Wed, 23 Feb 2005 13:19:04 -0600

Keep in mind the clutch master cyl. gets its feed from halfway up the
reservoir, so you must keep the level higher. I'd try bleeding it some
more. even just try leaving the bleed screw slightly open for a while
and let it gravity bleed.
This brings up a point.:
All brake and clutch fluid should be changed every two years actually.
(Nobody does it, of course!) Brake fluid absorbs water. the brakes get
hot, so they boil some of the water back out of the fluid.. The clutch
cylinder never gets hot, so it is more subject to damage from that
water. bleed it often. After you learn how, you can usually just reach
under it without a jack..
If you have to  change out the master cylinder, use a turkey baster to
draw the level down below the clutch port. That way the fluid will not
spill onto the floor.
It's not too bad of a job. I just kneel on the ground and work thru the
door.
Al Brase
Shawn Wright wrote:

>Tonight, I bled the clutch on my '82 Diesel Westy. Unlike the brakes, which
>weren't bad, the fluid which came out was pretty brown at first. Then it got
>*really* dark, followed by an audible squishing sound as my wife pumped
>the clutch slowly. Thinking that can't be good, I closed the bleeder and got
>her to try the clutch. No go, very little resistance. So it appears either the
>slave or master cylinder, or both, have failed. The noise seemed to be
>coming from the front, so I'm guessing master. Is there any other possible
>cause?
>
>I'm guessing replacing the master is a nasty job, right? I only seem to get
>that kind lately. :-(
>
>Shawn Wright
>http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
>'85 Jetta TD (retired)
>'85 Jetta D
>'88 Westy 2.1L
>'82 Diesel Westy
>
>
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