Maybe the slave is full of water, brake fluid being hygroscopic and all.  I
just assumed that the fluid in the slave would have been checked right away.

Do a little test bleed and see what comes out - if its rusty-looking, bleed
the line through.

On Nov 6, 2007 8:50 AM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> My .02
>
> If clutch worked in warmer weather, then the clutch mechanicals et al,
> should be ok. Since cold weather is one obvious change, then look
> toward hydraulics (as you are already)
>
> If no leaks and PO installed parts correctly and bled with correct
> brake fluid, my guess would be clutch slave cylinder since the cab of
> the bus would be warmer (if heat working!).
>
> Would the seals in slave cylinder shrink in colder weather allowing
> fluid to pass by?
>
> Anyone?
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
>
>
> On 11/6/07, 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)
> > >
> >
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
> "Jaco"  (Bustorius)
>
> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/