thebeez

Ok, this exact thing just happened to me this weekend. Has this happened to anybody?

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...&#entry17652984

It's bizarre. Last time I got the car checked out by Vancouver Honda was this past September. I was told that everything was fine and all fluids are topped up. I've been driving it find up until this weekend. It was parked in the garage overnight and all of a sudden when I started up the car the next morning, it wouldn't shift into reverse. All other gears seemed fine but it definitely wasn't smooth. The clutch had barely any resistance. Popped the hood and noticed there was hardly any clutch fluid left. Couldn't find any leakage residue anywhere so now I'm left with the choice of having the car towed to my mechanic.

I did some search online and it seems like the common problem was the clutch master cylinder being broken. But I'm no car mechanic so I would never know. And I'm still shocked that it could just happened overnight that quickly.

Anyone has this experienced? I'm also tempted to top up clutch fluid myself and see if it was really leaking (and to where). But maybe that's not a good idea, I don't know. Any insights?

Does anyone know if it is Dot 3 or Dot 4 fluid? I have a 2002 S2000.

Thanks!

SumAznGuy

Dot 3 or Dot 4 is fine. I also use Dot 5.1 for track.

Also, you might need to bleed the clutch since there might be air in the lines.

Also, when was the last time you had the clutch fluid changed in teh car?

DDonovan

If it is just a boot then it can happen overnight, actually the first time you push in the clutch and pressure is applied the boot can pop.

If you can find the cylinder the I would think it safe to top up and with another person press the clutch in to see if fluid spews out. If it does you will have to repair.

Top up the fluid and see how the clutch feels. You may need to pump it a bit but there should be resistance. Even if it is leaking you should get some resistance until the fluid has been pushed out. You will definitly see leakage though.

All this is based on my experience with other vehicles though and not the S.

jon604

i had the same problem a month ago and was stranded. check your clutch peddel, and you will see the top of it wet with fluids.

I topped it up and pumped the clutch a hundred times just to get the peddel back up and drive it to a tranny shop to replace the master and slave cylinder. about $500

ttang

it's happened to me. the part is about $70 i remember, but the labor will kill you.

i just bought a new clutch master cylinder from honda, changed it and bled the clutch.. quite an experience.. it's a very tight space... not fun to change out

bleeding the clutch you definitely need 2 ppl, one to bleed and one to keep filling the reservoir because it bleeds out fast

thebeez

wtf $500!!!!

I'm surprised this has been quite common for alot of s2k owners.

wowowox

Just curious do you guys change the fluid often before the incident happen?
I wonder if frequent change will lead to this problem?

SumAznGuy

The clutch cylinder, like the brake master cylinder, will leak if the fluid is not changed on a regular basis. The fluid will absorb moisture from the air, and dirt will collect which over time will wear out the internal rubber seals and leak.

I change my clutch fluid once a year, while I do my brakes in the spring time.

ttang

SumAznGuy: do you actually flush and change the whole system or just bleed it?

SumAznGuy

Flush.