Common Problems - Clutch Master Cylinder Leak | Honda S2000
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
Hey everyone, let’s talk about clutch master cylinders.
If you have an S2000 there is a large chance that your clutch master cylinder is currently leaking. You see, as the clutch fluid gets pumped in and out of the reservoir, contaminants are introduced into the clutch fluid and these contaminates eventually wear away at the clutch master cylinder seals. The seals will fail, clutch fluid will slowly disappear, and eventually you will end up with an empty reservoir… unable to use your clutch.
You can inspect your clutch master cylinder by getting under the dash and looking behind the clutch pedal. What you’re looking for is black gunk or brake fluid where the rod meets the piston. If your leak is really bad there will be brake fluid leaking onto the firewall. If your clutch master cylinder has gotten to this point you will want to replace it.
Thankfully it is extremely easy to prevent this problem on the S2000 if you clutch master cylinder hasn’t met its fate yet. All you have to do is routinely replace the clutch fluid in the clutch master cylinder reservoir and clean it. You can tell when your clutch fluid needs to be replaced because the fluid will be very dark, almost black. I personally do it whenever I perform an oil change. Let me show you how its done.
1. Remove the clutch master cylinder reservoir cap and insert some rags or paper towels around the reservoir to catch any unwanted spills.
2. Use a turkey baster to suck the clutch fluid out of the reservoir. Make sure not to spill any clutch fluid on the paint as it can damage the paint.
3. When the reservoir is empty use a paper towel to remove any remaining contaminants from inside the reservoir.
4. Lastly, refill the reservoir with fresh brake fluid and replace the reservoir cap.
Пікірлер: 104
Just did this on my master cylinder which I had replaced no more than 4K miles ago. I was surprised to see black fluid so soon. This should definitely be done every oil change
Just went through this with my s2k. Love these videos, saved me so much money.
@DIYGuysvideo
7 жыл бұрын
+Uber Mip I'm happy this PSA style video is well received. I have a few more in mind 😊
Just nabbed an S2000 and your videos are incredibly helpful
@DIYGuysvideo
6 жыл бұрын
+Charles McCarthy Glad you find them helpful ❤️
Make sure you don't let your cylinder go dry... and if it's that dirty then I say just do a clutch flush to get all the dirty fluid out. Keep the vids coming!
@DIYGuysvideo
7 жыл бұрын
+Jae Baek Going on a short vacation but after that I should be back on a weekly cadence.
5th gen Civic Si hatchback owner. Wish I'd seen this video years ago. I replaced the clutch master cylinder a little over 5 years ago and guess what....it's starting to leak inside where the piston is up above the clutch pedal. The fluid is pretty dirty. Looks like we're replacing the clutch master cylinder again.
just looked at mine today, ive been hearing a weird squeak sometimes when i downshift and let the engine slow me down, and its coming from the clutch pedal. looked under it, and it was leaking a slow drip of black gunk so im gonna replace that too. thank god you make videos on all this stuff
@DIYGuysvideo
6 жыл бұрын
It’s kind of a pain in the ass to do but it’s cheap and worth it!
@Bit-while_going
Жыл бұрын
I had a similar problem with mine, but it was another seal on the master cylinder that had worn just enough to let some air in, but not enough yet to leak out fluid. I even had the clutch replaced but the problem started coming back when the car was hot, so I knew it had to air in the line.
that's not really changing it, is it...??? that's more taking out about 85% and topping it off as the pipes are also full and you will need to bleed the system
@DIYGuysvideo
6 жыл бұрын
The fluid around the reservoir seems to be the problem fluid. Just replacing this bit of the fluid reportedly stops clutch master cylinder leaks. My guess is that the clutch fluid near the reservoir doesn't make it all the way down the hardline but instead gets moved up and down in a certain area. You can bleed the whole system if you'd like but based on anecdotal evidence that is unnecessary.
Thanks for this video! Just done it. It was definitely dark and not clear. However, after doing it, my clutch engagement etc still feels really close to the wall, am I missing something?
@DIYGuysvideo
5 жыл бұрын
See my video on clutch pedal free play!
Thanks, how much DOT3/4 fluid required, can the turkey baster method get all the fluid out,? Best
Wouldn’t you need to do bleed the system since ur emptying out the master with no fluid and then puttin new in ?
No bleeding required for this then if just taking the fluid out the reservoir?
The line needs to be disconnected at the slave cylinder end and all the fluid drained out and replaced with fresh fluid as you go. This will give a better result.
Duh...all this time I thought the clutch MC needed bleeding when changing the fluid. Thanks.
after top side flush, do you need to pump the brakes with the car off several times to rebuild the pressure? saw this is another related video's comment so want to get your input.
@DIYGuysvideo
4 жыл бұрын
Not sure. I would have to do some more investigation on this. Its been a while since I've replaced a master cylinder and done a flush.
I am holding Honda amaze petrol car i have changed clutch cylinder it is working fine but oil is not passing further from pipe. No blockage in the pipe any suggestions
What kind of brake fluid should I use, or recommend. I don’t track the car just drive a couple a times a week. Thanks
@DIYGuysvideo
5 жыл бұрын
DOT 3 fluid. No need to get anything special for driving around town.
@bmwminicooper
4 жыл бұрын
@@DIYGuysvideo A dot 4 fluid should work too. Right?
@DIYGuysvideo
4 жыл бұрын
Sure.
Just picked up a 2003 and the pedal feels softer than I remember my 2002 feeling - was down under the dash today to remove an unwanted GPS tracker and noticed that the clutch master cylinder had that black gunk but I didn't see any obvious leak or fluid - still probably need to replace it right?
@DIYGuysvideo
3 жыл бұрын
You can try replacing the fluid in the reservoir to stop the leak but new clutch master cylinder will solve it for sure. Also, the less miles on the clutch usually the softer the pedal is.
@kalmtraveler
3 жыл бұрын
@@DIYGuysvideo ooh that makes sense too - I bought the previous 2002 when it was 5 years old and about 60k miles. This 2003 I just got is well.. 18 years old, and 42k mile garage queen before I got it.
Ive replaces my clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder but have noticed its leaking on the firewall. If the clutch rod hasnt been adjusted will this cause it to leak?
@DIYGuysvideo
3 жыл бұрын
I don’t believe so.
This is pissing me off. I have clean fluid. But the new clutch master cylinder won't pump the fluid in and my pedal still just falls to the floor
If your car has a bad clutch master cylinder, will it be difficult to shift gears? I just recently found a leak on my floorboard right below the clutch pedal. Clutch works fine but when I try to put my car in gear from a stop it lunges forward slightly and I really have to force it in gear.
@DIYGuysvideo
5 жыл бұрын
Yes absolutely. You are leaking the hydraulic fluid that operates the clutch. If enough fluid leaks the clutch pedal does not do anything.
@scorpionwins6378
5 жыл бұрын
@@DIYGuysvideo thanks for the response brother. I appreciate the info. Have you ever dealt with a car wanting to lunge forward or backward when putting it in gear? My car does that currently and I can't figure out why. Also very hard for me to put my car into 1st or reverse.
@DIYGuysvideo
5 жыл бұрын
That’s because the friction disc isn’t separating from the flywheel. This is because you don’t have enough hydraulic pressure to completely separate them. You’re effectively burning the clutch.
@scorpionwins6378
5 жыл бұрын
@@DIYGuysvideo Dang this is looking to be my first unexpected repair that I'll have to make on my car since acquiring it a few months ago. This issue has been going on for a while too. Guess I better get on it real soon. I want to preserve the clutch as best as I can. Thanks for all of the knowledge you shared in the video, and for replying to my inquiries. Happy holidays brother! 🎄🎅
@DIYGuysvideo
5 жыл бұрын
I’ve replaced this on almost every S2000 I’ve seen. It’s super super common. I should make a pre purchase inspection video 😛
98 civic started leaking again after replacing the clutch master cylinder 2.5 years ago.
@DIYGuysvideo
5 жыл бұрын
Replace your clutch fluid every oil change to prevent this from happening
my civic 97 leaking all the fluid from reservoir when i pumping it all the brake line dont have any leakage what i found out is the fluid leak out from the small steel pipe look like some kind of bleeder pipe near the fire wall there any of you got this prblm before? can tell me what should i replace to solve this prblm thank. Sorry for my bad english
@DIYGuysvideo
6 жыл бұрын
Can only provide help for S2000s sorry.
Video i made:kzread.info/dash/bejne/qJd-spWth5bJldY.html Can a clutch master fail in this way that it does instantly move out the slave but not far enough when the clutch pedal is fully depressed? The slave does move out instantly when I depress the clutchpedal. Also can this problem be cause by to much play on the shift mechanism? The flywheel, frictionplate, slave + bearring and pressureplate are new and I have driven 2000miles with it without any problem until someone launched my car from a standstill, wanted to shift to 2nd during the launch which blocked like seen in the video. The clutch does not slip, engages and disengages fine. When i floor it to like 3500rpm i still can shift but if i floor it to high RPMS it blocks. Im thinking, somehow the gearbox still gets input i guess when flooring and depressing the clutch.
I have this problem my fluid gets dirty in a week after I replace it
@DIYGuysvideo
7 жыл бұрын
+MrComputereviews How dirty are we talking? Maybe a full flush is in order.
@BestCaseHypothesis
7 жыл бұрын
If it gets dirty quick that may be a sign that the seals are disintegrating and you may need a new CMC. I plan on replacing mine soon.
Can these be rebuilt with a kit?
@DIYGuysvideo
5 жыл бұрын
Not that I know of.
Dear my hydraulic clutch is decreasing amount.of.fluid and recently it was free. And unable to engage clutch
@DIYGuysvideo
5 жыл бұрын
Replace that clutch master cylinder!
@YAMAHA_FAN_BOi_95
5 жыл бұрын
DIYGuys why.not.slave I mean are you sure sir ?
@DIYGuysvideo
5 жыл бұрын
Watch the video... the slave cylinder does not leak.
@YAMAHA_FAN_BOi_95
5 жыл бұрын
DIYGuys thank u so much dear
@YAMAHA_FAN_BOi_95
5 жыл бұрын
DIYGuys kzread.info/dash/bejne/ioOAr5Snnsezqaw.html
Can we rebuild the clutch master? Change the seals...?
@DIYGuysvideo
6 жыл бұрын
Not sure. But at 30$ for a replacement it seems like it wouldn’t be worth it.
@task5147
6 жыл бұрын
DIYGuys I take it that's $30 for a used clutch master?
@DIYGuysvideo
6 жыл бұрын
Aftermarket. Centric parts, which is quite a legit brand.
@task5147
6 жыл бұрын
DIYGuys cool! Thanks, I'll look into that! You have great videos btw!
Take my advice: go with the OEM part. I tried the aftermarket route and it quickly failed.
@DIYGuysvideo
3 жыл бұрын
How did it fail? All clutch master cylinders will fail if you don’t replace the clutch fluid often. I’ve been using centric clutch master cylinders for tens of thousands of miles (60k)
@mrAFTERBURN1
3 жыл бұрын
@@DIYGuysvideo After looking at your vid, I noticed that mine was shot (black gunk). The car has 90k, all original, but i'm the new owner. I replaced it with an aftermarket part (perfection clutch) and flushed the old fluid and all. The aftermarket part started to leak (worst than before) one month later. I redid the whole job with a new OEM part.
@DIYGuysvideo
3 жыл бұрын
Strange. Well thanks for the data point
i guess this is my next step. As this is my first car, i didn't know about this clutch fluid maintenance. Especially after every oil change; it's been at least 3 oil changes for me (oops) and now i found its leaking after i went down and tried to adjust the cylinder free-play. But you didnt actually show how to REPLACE the cylinder if it is leaking :/ Any other videos with further instruction? EDIT: found your other instructional video to fix this - kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z2GhksOlopXHnZc.html
@DIYGuysvideo
7 жыл бұрын
+Adam Leach 😊
every oil change? that liquid you took out looked totally new..
@DIYGuysvideo
7 жыл бұрын
+Alex Lin I had just changed it since I botched the filming earlier. The clip with the dirty fluid before the DIY is more realistic.
@DIYGuysvideo
7 жыл бұрын
+Alex Lin I should clarify this is Billman's suggestion of 5k mile cadence. So it's not just a trivial interval.
@smilin_lin
7 жыл бұрын
5k mile interval just to replace the fluid in the reservoir seems reasonable. flushing I only do every brake fluid interval.
Liked and subscribed on both my accounts.
@DIYGuysvideo
7 жыл бұрын
+Ray vs. The World ❤
Clutch master cylinder can leak internally and won't have any visual signs of leakage, nevertheless clutch won't funccion correctly.
@DIYGuysvideo
6 жыл бұрын
Where does the fluid go when it leaks internally?
@bumpyroad3251
6 жыл бұрын
It returns to the reservoir.
@DIYGuysvideo
6 жыл бұрын
Ah so it doesn’t build hydraulic pressure. That makes sense
@bumpyroad3251
6 жыл бұрын
Yeah, hydraulic fluid passes behind the internal seals of the master cylinder and clutch has no power with all the problems associated - grinding gear changes, soft pedal (even sticking to the floor). The worst of all is there are no vissible signs - no external leakage.
@DIYGuysvideo
6 жыл бұрын
S2000s almost always seem to leak externally. Have you encountered a case where it has leaked internally on a Honda S2000 or are you speaking generally?
What about all that nasty stuff in the line and the slave cylinder to do this right the lines and slave cylinder need to be purged of the old fluid also.
@DIYGuysvideo
9 ай бұрын
Then why doesn’t the slave cylinder ever leak?
@bountyhunter1890
9 ай бұрын
They do I just changed one.