Clutch to floor -- Can it be rigged to drive to shop?

[jond]

When the clutch master goes bad and your clutch pedal goes to the floor, what actually CAUSES it? Is it that air gets in the system or is it something else?

I'm wondering when this happens, would it work to simply bleed the clutch fluid and then drive it to Acura to have the master and slave cylinders replaced or would that not likely work?


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[pgilliam1]

Usually it's the fluid that leaks out (and then is replaced by air). Check your clutch master reservior level (you also have a slave cylinder that can leak as well). You may be able to bleed the air and refill with fluid long enough to get to the dealer. It depends on how fast it's leaking and how far the dealer is? Good Luck and Happy Motoring!

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Fill reservoir, pump clutch pedal by hand 5 times. DO THIS WITH THE BLEEDER SHUT.

Repeat this about 20 times, drive to shop with working clutch system.

DOT 3 bralke fluid is fine.

Regards,
LarryB

 

[NonStopReaper]

i would just flatbed it to the shop to avoid any other hazard to you or your car.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

i would just flatbed it to the shop to avoid any other hazard to you or your car.

I agree with this.

 

[drew]

It is an easy fix, as noted above. You only need basic tools and you can do it in the field.


Yes, you ALSO can get it to the shop if you don't mind driving it in first gear the whole way. No damage and it works surprisingly well.

1. put and *keep* in first gear
2. start car
3. car will drive off
4. if you need to stop: turn off ignition.
5. if you need to move again:see step one.

It is an import technique to learn because it can save your butt in a bad situation. You can practice it with a normally working car, just don't use the clutch.

Yes, I've actually done this with my NSX. The slave cylinder came loose off the transmission casing and fell to the floor. The pin and plunger fell out on the street on the way to work...I was effed! Until I remembered above technique, I picked up all the pieces and I drove back home. I put all the parts back in, bled the system and was maybe an hour late to work. That was a couple of years ago.

Drew

 

[Cragar]

Yes, you ALSO can get it to the shop if you don't mind driving it in first gear the whole way. No damage and it works surprisingly well.

1. put and *keep* in first gear
2. start car
3. car will drive off
4. if you need to stop: turn off ignition.
5. if you need to move again:see step one.
Drew

I have been there a few times myself. However , if you are very careful you can shift into 2nd-3rd-4th with no clutch. I have done this in domestically manufactured cars.

I DO NOT recommend ( upshifting with no clutch ) you do this without experience and even with experience there are too many things that you can do wrong. Using 1st gear only with pose very little threat of damage just like drew posted . Not worth risking with an NSX's transmission trying to upshift. If you cannot get enough fluid into system , Flatbed the car.

 

[drew]

I do NOT recommend changing gears at all on any car without a working clutch. You can probably do 30mph in first for extended periods, so it really isn't worth shifting gears at all (compared to the time R&R'ing a transmission).

However, if you just keep it in first gear only you are good to go....though very slowly. No harm, no foul.

Drew

 

[Cragar]

I do NOT recommend changing gears at all on any car without a working clutch. You can probably do 30mph in first for extended periods, so it really isn't worth shifting gears at all (compared to the time R&R'ing a transmission).

However, if you just keep it in first gear only you are good to go....though very slowly. No harm, no foul.

Drew

I agree with your statements 100%.

The reason I have upshifted cars with no clutch was due to the fact that in some of the incidents that I have done this , I had a choice of a very pricey tow bill or a 50-100 mile drive with no usable clutch pedal.

I do not recommend doing this without practice and training. Even though I have done this , I would NOT do this to my NSX , a pricey tow bill is cheaper than a ruined transmission. If you are going a short distance with the car in first gear only - OK .

 

[03 raw nsx]

i would just flatbed it to the shop to avoid any other hazard to you or your car.

If it is just your clutch pedal (slave or master cylinder)
towing is cheaper than clutch replacement :smile:
unless you clutch is already shot and you intend to replace it anyway

 

[NSXclear]

However, if you just keep it in first gear only you are good to go....though very slowly. No harm, no foul.

Don't forget to put a large STUDENT DRIVER sticker on the back of the car. Your going to get wierd looks from people wondering why you keep stalling and stay in first gear.

 

[jond]

Fill reservoir, pump clutch pedal by hand 5 times. DO THIS WITH THE BLEEDER SHUT.

Repeat this about 20 times, drive to shop with working clutch system.

DOT 3 bralke fluid is fine.

Regards,
LarryB

This did the trick!!!
I just added dot3 brake fluid to the empty reservoir, pumped the clutch pedal 100 or so times and now I have a working clutch!
Thanks to everyone above. I love this site.
I drove it around the block to make sure it's okay. The next drive will be to Acura to get the master and slave replaced.


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[Miner]

I agree with your statements 100%.

The reason I have upshifted cars with no clutch was due to the fact that in some of the incidents that I have done this , I had a choice of a very pricey tow bill or a 50-100 mile drive with no usable clutch pedal.

I do not recommend doing this without practice and training. Even though I have done this , I would NOT do this to my NSX , a pricey tow bill is cheaper than a ruined transmission. If you are going a short distance with the car in first gear only - OK .

1st to 2nd to 3rd w/out using the clutch is fairly easy. I would recommend practicing on another car, but if we are talking a few shifts in an emergency, I don't believe it is a big deal.

Issue is moot in this case, though.

Miner

 

[nigel]

When Larry bastanza says something you can take it to the bank!
Shifting your car without use of the clutch could cause greater problems than a bad clutch master cylinder.
If Larrys tips don't work in your case then use a flat bed and have it carried to your shop and save possible greater costs caused by any other method.

Cheers
nigel