What about a piece of 2x4 under clutch arm to keep it from moving?

Not sure if clutch MC would be damaged with either method.

Neil.

On 11/6/07, Ben Cichowski <cichowski@montana.edu> wrote:
> OK,
>
> Thought of an idea to test to see if I am having trouble with the Slave vs.
> the Master in cold weather. Please tell me if you think this will work...
>
> If I take a pair of locking pliers and GENTLY clamp off the rubber portion
> of the fluid supply line serving the Slave....Then, if I push in on the
> peddle and it is still soft, it tells me that the seals are leaking at the
> master cylinder...but if it is hard, even on a cold morning, then it is
> probably the seals on the slave leaking...right? (I'm not looking at the van
> right now, so I may be over looking something in my head)
>
> Does this sound like a good way to diagnose the problem??
>
> Of course I'll want to be gentle with clamping the line.
>
> -Ben
>
>
> On 11/6/07 8:48 AM, "Ben Cichowski" <cichowski@montana.edu> wrote:
>
> > 25 Degrees this morning - same dead clutch. Yesterday, after it warmed up to
> > 40, I went out and had NO problems what-so-ever with the clutch... (although
> > it still feels a little soft for my taste and can stick in gear a bit if I
> > hold the clutch in too long - another hydraulic clue...)
> >
> > So, as per my own thoughts and the thoughts of several others on the list,
> > it looks like hydraulics are likely to blame (If I am missing something,
> > someone please give a shout! - and by all means, feel free to tell me I'm
> > being stupid and missing something obvious...things tend to stick better
> > that way).
> >
> > I had my wife pump the clutch this morning as I watched the slave. The Slave
> > moved...a very little bit and seemed like it was trying to push the lever,
> > but then, CLICK, the lever pushed back. She kept getting the soft peddle
> > syndrome again and again and I noted maybe 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of movement
> > on the slave.
> >
> > Unfortunately...I'm not sure this rules out any particular components. I
> > guess it could be the slave leaking...it could be the clutch master...I
> > guess it could even be something binding in the tranny (but I think given
> > the cold weather...I can safely say it is something hydraulic).
> >
> > The Slave does NOT LOOK new - it seems a bit rusty for 6K the PO says it has
> > on it...hmmmm.... Also, I forgot to note in the last post that the slave and
> > clutch master cyl were both listed as replaced when I purchased the vehicle.
> >
> > Even thought the master cyl looks new (compared to the slave), my gut is
> > still leaning that direction. What do you all think? I've got to get going
> > on it pretty quickly, as the snow will fly any day now and I'm about to be
> > on new-baby duty in a few weeks.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Ben
> >
> >
> > On 11/5/07 8:48 AM, "Ben Cichowski" <cichowski@montana.edu> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi All,
> >>
> >> Thought I had this fixed...20 Degrees F this morning tells me otherwise!
> >>
> >> My clutch goes to the floor in cold weather (usually below 40 F). I thought
> >> it was air or moisture in the lines, so I had it pressure bled and replaced
> >> with new hydro fluid.
> >>
> >> Seems to push down "Dead," then stay there...then it might pop back up and
> >> feel like it has pressure...but pushing it down again does nothing.
> >>
> >> The PO had put a new slave cyl, and pressure plate in about 6K ago - maybe a
> >> bad part??
> >>
> >>
> >> Any ideas from you seasoned vets would be great - Thanks,
> >>
> >> Ben
> >> 88 Wofsburg Weekender ej22 (KEP adaptor)
> >>
> >
>
> --
> Ben Cichowski
> Assistant Director for Training
> cichowski@montana.edu
> Phone 406.994.7205
> Fax 406.994.1774
>
> Montana Water Center
> 101 Huffman Building
> Montana State University
> Bozeman, MT 59717-2690
> http://watercenter.montana.edu
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
"Jaco"  (Bustorius)

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil