rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

All of a sudden yesterday, I have to push it all the way down to get the gears in. I checked the fluids and they were both low...the master AND slave cylinder compartements were low with NO signs of leakage. Maybe just over time?

So I filled the reservoirs back up last night and pumped the clutch and it felt a lot better but not normal. This morning, same thing...to the ground. Pumped the clutch and it was a little better again. I'm thinking by letting the fluid get so low (car has 35K miles and has not been driven hard...is this normal? fluid, I'm sure, has never been added) I introduced air into the system. Hence the getting better when I pump the clutch.

I HAVE the service manual on disc but it seems unclear to me where I am to bleed the system from. Please let me know if it sounds like I'm on the right path with bleeding the slave cylinder and WHERE IS IT!!! I can't tell from the diagrams. I know the reservoir is the smaller one and the master is in the way...but does everything need to be removed just to bleed it?

TIA!
J.

rbf351

the slave cylinder is located on the tranny, and yes you bleed it from there. you can see the little nipple from where you bleed it

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Thank you for the response...does that sound like it may solve the problem?
What needs to be taken out to get to it?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Forget it...got it...thanks! It was reachable for bleeding without removing anything else...used a clear tube and voila...had some bubbles...will NEVER let it get that low again!

1fsthatch

yea NEVER shift w/o pressing the clutch in fully read your owerns manual

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Really? What the heck does it say? It says you have to press all the way to the floor? I've never had to do that and I've always driven manual cars!

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Edit...problem is not resolved. What is the proper bleeding techniqute please....

car on...pump and hold or pump and don't hold. could it be a bad slave already at 35K? Or master cylinder??!

HELP!

01tl4tl

Most likely slave leaking
Pop the rubber boot off the end of it where the pushrod is, if brake fluid comes out you found the leak
Its a simple rubber oring/piston and will wear out eventually

You replace the entire slave as a unit- prefill and bleed it on the workbench as much as possible before install- saves lots of legwork~

01tl4tl

check the warranty book about hydraulic parts..see if acura will pick this one up~

bleeding is engine off, pump a few times to build pressure- hold at 3/4 of travel of pedal, open bleeder- helper pushes pedal to floor, close bleeder
repeat as needed

01tl4tl

I havent looked at a TL--depending on location of slave cyl... if you can reach that rubber cap/boot from the engine, or it will be inside the car at the pedal
Just getting a lower edge loose will often show fluid-its supposed to be totally dry inside that end of the slave

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Thank you so much for your input. It's very helpful. I will have to attempt this technique when I get home. I'm guessing over time, it is normal for the fluids to drop little by little? I have not noticed ANY leaking anywhere. On the TL, the bleeder valve is on the front side of the transmission...accessible without removing anything at all. Thank goodness.

I Definitely don't drive the car hard at all, and I generally shift at around 3500. I'm guessing that over the last 5 years my stepdad never added any fluid so it normally dropped. Then finally now it go so low that air was introduced into the system. I will check the pedal to see whether or not there's any liquid there. I'm hoping it'll be an easy fix. I'm scared of the dealer!

Thanks again!

NAiL05

As mentioned pump a few times then hold. Almost like bleeding your brakes. Well I woud run the main hydraulic path. The possible places to leak are your clutch master cylinder and slave cyinder. The rest of the system should be sealed. If your slave cylinder is not wet around the boots it should be fine. The master cylinder itself can leak into the cabin via the pushrod on the clutch (I havent looked into depth on tl but most hondas are like this) Sometimes it will leak through there and you will need to replace the master cylinder if that is the case.

BG74

That's how manuals are driven. If you're not depressing the clutch completely at every gear change, your simply driving incorrectly...not to mention causing all kinds of unnecessary hardship on your car.

Do you left-foot brake too?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

We're almost the same age so I'll reserve myself from using too much of a condescending tone. If I am asking for help, it is because I have a problem. Not because I don't know how to drive stick. Other than the six months total that I drove automatic, I've spent driving stick shift cars since I was 16 years old. Hydraulic AND cable clutches.

It was normal one day, then not the next. Having to press your pedal down as if you were trying to push it into the engine bay to get the clutch to engage enough to get the gear in is not status quo IMO. If that is the case for you, come by my place and I'll give you a hand checking out your slave cylinder. Turns out that's what it is for me.

Pulled the slave boot back and sure enough...brake fluid. Ordered a new one coming in today. Anyone with some productive tips for changing it on the 3rd Gen TL. Special tools?

As far as braking with my left...haven't done that sine I tried to powerbrake the ford tempo in driver's ed when I was 15. Thanks for the sarcasm. Always appreciated.