98 V70 Clutch hydraulic line failure 9181324 [Detailed pictures of a 2025 1999 clutch hose replacement]

Post by **kranz** » 05 Mar 2015, 07:06

I have a 1998 V70 with a manual transmission. 195K miles on the original clutch. The clutch pedal went all the way to the floor and stayed there leaving the car in neutral and quite stranded by the side of the road. I've had a chance to look at it in the light of day. I can move the pedal back and forth by hand but it offers no resistance. With the engine off I can move the shifter into any gear with it then engaged with the engine.

I'm guessing that the hydraulics failed; either the master or slave cylinder. Would this be the likely diagnosis or might there be other possibilities?

thanks!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 05 Mar 2015, 07:37

Your '98 may have an internal slave cylinder so it could be a bit tough to figure out which end is leaking. If you have an external slave cylinder it is pretty easy to see the the piston that moves the fork. Mine has the external version so that is all that I am familiar with.

Start with the basics though. Is the brake master cylinder tank full? The clutch hydraulics use brake fluid and the feed point for the clutch goes dry at a bit above half full on the brake fluid.

You can drive the car home without the clutch but it isn't fun. Put it is 1st gear and then use the starter to start it. The starter will hate it but it will work. You can upshift pretty easily without the clutch by backing off of the throttle and mashing it into the next gear. If you need to stop just put it in neutral and come to a stop. At that point you need to turn it off and put the shifter back in 1st again. Obviously, plan a route with the fewest number of stops.

...Lee

Post by **abscate** » 05 Mar 2015, 09:22

In Atlanta traffic, a flat bed ride home is probably a better idea.

I have the internal slave cylinder on my 1999, I'm dreading it going...

Post by **kranz** » 05 Mar 2015, 13:33

Ozark Lee wrote:Your '98 may have an internal slave cylinder so it could be a bit tough to figure out which end is leaking. If you have an external slave cylinder it is pretty easy to see the the piston that moves the fork. Mine has the external version so that is all that I am familiar with.

Start with the basics though. Is the brake master cylinder tank full? The clutch hydraulics use brake fluid and the feed point for the clutch goes dry at a bit above half full on the brake fluid.

You can drive the car home without the clutch but it isn't fun. Put it is 1st gear and then use then start it. The starter will hate it but it will work. You can upshift pretty easily without the clutch by backing off of the throttle and mashing it into the next gear. If you need to stop just put it in neutral and come to a stop. At that point you need to turn it off and put the shifter back in 1st again. Obviously, plan a route with the fewest number of stops.

Thanks, Lee. The brake fluid reservoir level is about half way between MAX & MIN. It was not immediately obvious to me if I have an external or internal slave. There is a lot of stuff blocking my view and it was raining. I'll have another look when the weather improves.

That's a handy tip about driving without a clutch. It would also be quite useful just to move the vehicle off the roadway to a safe location out of harm's way.

Post by **kranz** » 05 Mar 2015, 13:42

abscate wrote:In Atlanta traffic, a flat bed ride home is probably a better idea.

I actually did have it towed. The incident occured on I-285 at the height of rush hour. But Lee's tip might have been feasible and I could have saved some bucks. The car was about 5 miles from home, half of it expressway. I could have gone back to retrieve it in the wee morning hours when there was no traffic to hinder me.

Post by **kranz** » 07 Mar 2015, 12:28

I've had a chance to take a closer look at the clutch system. Just outside the bell housing is what appears to be called a Clutch Hose Bleeder Adapter that may be seen at the eEuroparts site. One end is attached to the fluid line; the other end disappears into the clutch housing. So, I'm guessing that I am "lucky" to have the internal clutch slave cylinder. Is this correct?

Outwardly I can find no trace of leaking brake fluid at the master cylinder, bleed adapter, or along the fluid line. If the slave cylinder failed would the leaking fluid remain in the clutch housing and not be visible?

Post by **abscate** » 08 Mar 2015, 04:33

Eventually it would come out the weep hole at the trans-engine interface

You would also smell brake fluid if it leaking if you get down near the trans.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 08 Mar 2015, 08:45

It may not actually be leaking. It could, and likely is, leaking around the seal on the piston on one end or the other (master or slave). If you are lucky, it is the master.

Get a pressure gauge on the bleed screw on the transmission and see if you get any pressure or fluid squirting out of the bleeder when you press the clutch. No pressure at the bleeder screw points to the master cylinder. If you do have pressure there then the master is OK and the slave will need to be replaced. I would plan on an entire clutch kit with a new clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing while you are there. A new rear main seal would also be a good idea since it is right there if you remove the flywheel to get it surfaced.

As you can imagine, this is labor intensive since the transmission needs to come out.

...Lee

Post by **kranz** » 25 Mar 2015, 12:30

Ozark Lee wrote: Get a pressure gauge on the bleed screw on the transmission and see if you get any pressure or fluid squirting out of the bleeder when you press the clutch. No pressure at the bleeder screw points to the master cylinder. If you do have pressure there then the master is OK and the slave will need to be replaced.

...Lee

Back at it again. I don't have a pressure gauge. But I topped off the fluid reservoir and cracked open the bleed valve. If I push the pedal to the floor, fluid does come out the bleeder and I can hear what is presumably the fluid squirting out. If I return the pedal to rest position, I can hear what I presume is air being sucked back in.

Is this a valid test of the Master cylinder?

Post by **regent** » 25 Mar 2015, 14:58

kranz wrote:
Is this a valid test of the Master cylinder?

Not without a gage. With the bleeder open, the MC may still be moving fluid but you do not know if it can build pressure sufficient to overcome the resistance of the clutch release mechanism.