Symptoms of a bad master clutch cylinder

We can found the master clutch cylinder in the car clutch system, mostly for a car with a hydraulic clutch system. In an ordinary car, the clutch master cylinder mostly located under the engine hood, near the back of the engine on the driver's side. It is usually mounted almost directly in front of where the clutch pedal is mounted on other side of bulkhead.

The master clutch cylinder function is to convert the clutch pedal's mechanical pressure to hydraulic pressure to flow to the clutch slave cylinder. This master clutch cylinder will convert the clutch pedal pressure carried out by the driver's feet into hydraulic pressure, channeled through the hydraulic pipe, and push the clutch cover and leave the clutch pad, so it is free from engine rotation.

In its use, the master clutch cylinder also requires regular maintenance and inspection, especially for clutch fluid exchanges. If you neglected the clutch fluid's maintenance and replacement, it will damage the master clutch cylinder and certainly interfere with the clutch system's overall performance.

This article will share information about car problems about the symptoms of a bad master clutch cylinder. Check out the symptoms of a bad master clutch cylinder below.

1. Low or empty clutch fluid

The first symptom of a bad master clutch cylinder is a low or empty clutch fluid. As a hydraulic system, clutch fluid held an important role in making the hydraulic system works well. It transmitted the power flow from the pedal to the clutch slave cylinder.

Most cars with a hydraulic clutch system use a reservoir tank as a fluids container. On the tank, there are low and max marks to check the fluid. If your clutch fluid level falls below the low mark, it's time to top up and keep an eye on the level. Over time, the clutch fluid level should not drop. If the fluid level changed, it indicated there were leaks in the hydraulic system.

So, if there is no fluid inside your clutch hydraulic system, you can't transmit the power to the clutch slave cylinder. It means your clutch isn't going to work even you press the clutch pedal repeatedly. One of the clutch system components that often makes the clutch fluid low or empty is the master clutch cylinder leak.

2. Soft, spongy or stuck clutch pedal

The second symptom of a bad master clutch cylinder is a soft, spongy, or even stuck clutch pedal. It is the most common symptom of a bad clutch master cylinder. When you put the foot down to press on the clutch pedal, you won't feel the usual resistance.

The clutch pedal feels too soft, spongy, or even on several clutch system types, the pedal stuck on the floor and won't back automatically. Several conditions make this abnormal clutch pedal behavior, such as :

Worn-out clutch master cylinder seals
Worn-out clutch master cylinder inner tube
There is air inside the clutch master cylinder and hydraulic lines (called vapor lock).

3. Difficult to shifting gear

The next symptom of a bad master clutch cylinder is difficulty in shifting gear. When the master clutch cylinder is going bad, it makes the shifting gear processes more difficult, and sometimes, the gear won't engage. It happens because the clutch is not working correctly.

Remember, the clutch function is to connect or disconnect the engine rotation to the transmission. When we need to shift the gear to any level (up or down), we need to disconnect the engine rotation, so the gears' engaging processes are easier to do.

If the master clutch is going bad, it makes the clutch system is not working well. So, it can't disconnect the engine rotation and makes the gear shifting to be difficult.

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4. Fluid leaks around the master clutch cylinder

The last symptom of a bad master clutch cylinder is fluid leaks around the master clutch cylinder. You will notice that the clutch master cylinder looks very dirty and wet because it is cover by the clutch fluid mixed with dust.

If the clutch fluid leak is worst, you may notice the clutch pedal getting wet. You can even see drops of clutch fluid on the floor coming down from the end of the clutch pedal. If this happens, it's a sign that the master clutch cylinder is going bad and needs a replacement immediately.