I have an '01 24v w/5sp manual. Clutch works for very short period of time (2-3 sec.) then will only work again if let of for a short while or pumped. No leaks at slave. Is there a way to check the master? If I can determine problem w/out taking apart tranny, that would be nice!

 

Bad T.O. bearing is ususaly noisy and you can hear a change in noise pitch as you start applying pressure to the clutch pedal. Look in the clutch master cylinder reservoir if there is enough fluid. If not, it had to go somewhere and you almost certainly have a hydraulic release system problem. The master cylinder will leak around the pushrod on the back side where it is mounted to the firewall and the leak may not be all that obvious as the relatively small amount of fluid will track down the firewall on the onside of the cab and soak in the carpet. Get under the dash and feel with your fingers around the pushrod to see if you can detect any moisture. The master cylinder will leak around the pushrod too into the bell housing and out of bell housing from the dain hole on the bottom. You can unbolt the slave from the bell housing (do not disconnect the line) to check it out. If it is all slimy and you don't know if it is oil or brake fluid, try a little water. The brake fluid easily washes off while oil does not.

 

absolutly a slave/master cyl problem......ez fix

 

Thanks for the replies!
I can put my ear close to the cyl on the firewall inside cab under dash and depress pedal. During pedal depress I can hear fluid and maybe some air (squishing sound). Then when I keep pedal depressed without moving it in or letting it out I can hear what sounds like fluid leaking past what must be a piston seal. There are no external leaks, no loss of fluid. Seems obvious to me that it is a master cyl problem, but local experts seem to be hoping for something more.

 

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