clutch bleeding or something else?

[HeWhoKillz]

My clutch resevior in my 85 300zx turbo 5 speed ran dry. I filled it up only to see the clutch pedal is still at the floor and doesn't come back up. I was told I just needed to bleed the clutch. I figured it was like bleeding brakes so I went to the pep boys to get a bleeder kit and told them what I was trying to do and my problem but they say I would need to bleed the master cylinder which involves some vacuuming and a bunch of other stuff that they said was "tricky". What do you think is the problem?

[shorod]

You need to start by determining why the cylinder went try. If you've got a leak, you need to fix that before bleeding. If you don't have a leak, then you need to replace the clutch.

-Rod

[HeWhoKillz]

Originally Posted by shorod

You need to start by determining why the cylinder went try. If you've got a leak, you need to fix that before bleeding. If you don't have a leak, then you need to replace the clutch.

-Rod

If the clutch is bad, I don't see how the resevoir would leak. It is possible, but not a good idea, but the car does not need the clutch pedal depressed when starting. As bad of an idea as it was, when I first had this issue, I started the car in first gear without using the clutch and the car drove around the corner to my house.

[shorod]

Since the clutch is hydraulic, it has a piston somewhere that presses on the clutch fork. If there is no leak, that would suggest the piston is extended and the fluid is taking up the slack in the slave cylinder which means something is worn out. This is similar to what happens to cause a low fluid level in a brake master cylinder due to worn pads/shoes.

-Rod

[HeWhoKillz]

Originally Posted by shorod

Since the clutch is hydraulic, it has a piston somewhere that presses on the clutch fork. If there is no leak, that would suggest the piston is extended and the fluid is taking up the slack in the slave cylinder which means something is worn out. This is similar to what happens to cause a low fluid level in a brake master cylinder due to worn pads/shoes.

-Rod

Can the car still operate without the clutch?

[DeltaP]

Originally Posted by HeWhoKillz

Can the car still operate without the clutch?

It'll be OK to get it home but I wouldnt be drivin it around esp. in traffic. If you're good you can shift it w/ RPM's but it would be rough on the synchros.

[HeWhoKillz]

Originally Posted by DeltaP

It'll be OK to get it home but I wouldnt be drivin it around esp. in traffic. If you're good you can shift it w/ RPM's but it would be rough on the synchros.

My expierence with clutches the car either slipped or was not driveable at all. Never knew it was possible to drive with a flat dead clutch.

[DeltaP]

Originally Posted by HeWhoKillz

My expierence with clutches the car either slipped or was not driveable at all. Never knew it was possible to drive with a flat dead clutch.

If the master cylinder ran dry then you have a leak. No where for that fluid to go but out. You said you drove it home in 1st gear so the problem is the clutch wont release. Can you pull the pedal back up by hand? The slave cylinder has a bleeder valve so it should bleed by gravity. No special tools needed to bleed. They sell rebuild kits for the master and slave cyls. They even sell the hose. Simple, single piston cylinders and as long as the bores aren't pitted you should be OK.