clutch master cylinder

[Poupas]

   Hey, I was wondering if anyone in the Ottawa area had a working clutch master cylinder. Mine is done(supposedly)! For a '86GT four speed. Oh ya, less importantly, a electric fan and a fuel pump relay.
          Thanks for any response.
                                                               Andrew

[FieroBUZZ]

I will assume that you are convinced the master is bad.  Read the clutch stuff at v8archie.com just to make sure you haven't something else afoot.  Bent pedal, bent banjo fitting, clutch fork etc.

FieroDough (Eric) recently did the plunge from auto to 5 speed, so he may have the most recent clutch experience among us.

I have not yet had any problems (I'm sure I shouldn't have said that), but I'm convinced from reading other items.  Stay away from rebuilts, etc and get a GM replacement.  Just my opinion.

My fan is gone from my parts SE, but I likely have a relay for you.  I'll pull the cover off when it gets a bit nicer and check.  I don't think I've taken anything out of the engine compartment yet.

Gary

[FieroDough]

hummm.. is the master leaking? There is a faint chance the plunger seal is leeking and it just leaks internally. wht is happening witht the clutch? what does the banjo look like?

in my experiences.. the slave is the most likely culprit because of temperature changes and.. well it doesn't have the best design on earth.

Are you loosing pressure? no pressure? clutch stiff, spungy or no feeling at all?

let us know!
Eric

[poupas]

   First off, I know nothing about clutches and transmissions. Here are my symptoms, when it is really cold outside(like last week, or today) I cant get it into gear(any gear, reverse grinds) when I first start up. I let it warm up for 5-10 min. and it will go into fourth, let it warm up for another 5 min. it will go into third. Start driving in third and after 5 min of driving it will go into second and eventually first. When I am stopped at a light and I have it in gear the car will move forward like it is a automatic. The clutch pressure feels like it always has, nothing different.
   So, I brought it into a transmission shop last Thurs., Mister Transmission. The gears were actually working pretty good that day. They checked it out and told me it was the master cylinder. I believe them 'cause they are 'specialists'! They told me it would cost $330 for a new cylinder. I told them to hold off to see if I could find a used one. That is where I stand at this moment. I found a used one on Pennocks(somebody's car caught on fire), for $35US, plus shipping. Good price but I dont know how long it will take to get here and I cant have my car off the road for much longer.

    Any words of wisdom.......?

                                                                Andrew

[FieroBUZZ]

Andrew, I passed this thread on to someone who may be able to help.  ( Check back to see)

You can probably pick up a master at a parts store pretty easy, I just mentioned that it seems guys experience a high failure rate with the generic parts.

If it GTDUDE that has the master, you'll be okay as he is a first rate guy.  If he mails the part as 'used auto parts' you won't get dinged with duty but it will take a while to arrive.

My last parts from Pennsylvania took about a week.

I don't know what part of town you are in, but there is an older tech at the Kanata Crappy Tire (yeah I know) who has done a rebuild of a GT and seemed really knowledgeable. It is sometimes hard to find someone who will do good work on our cars without thinking it's some kind of expensive exotic. Anyone else have a good mechanic??

Gary

[PBJ]

Sounds to me like you have internal leak down, usually is caused by a failed master cylender.  You say your clutch starts working better after 5 min. This tells me is more likely then the slave cylinder because the clutch master would not have any engine heat at it yet.   With that said, if you mess with the clutch hydrolics you must bleed it afterwards.  Check the bleeder on the clutch slave cylinder to see if it is siezed, if it is you automatically need a new slave cylinder.  If you can unscrew the bleeder than start with what is cheaper (and what I think is more likely).  Rebuild the clutch master cylinder yourself for $40.00 in parts from the local auto store (not dealership).  Very easy and directions are in the package.  Bleed system, if you still have a problem you will have to replace slave cylinder-there is no rebuild kit available for slave.

Hope this helps, feel free to E mail me if any q's @ becky.heidt@sympatico.ca

Pete

[poupas]

 I want to thank everyone for the info, greatly appreciated. I will also be joining you guys very soon, as soon as I get this car working.
 FieroBUZZ, it is GTDUDE that would be selling me the part. Good to hear he is on the level. Hey, are you still selling those rims....?
  Have you guys checked out the FieroGT for sale in the autotrader? Or is it one of you. It looks to be in good shape, but I guess you cant really tell from a picture.
www.autotrader.ca        -just type in Fiero, all of ON.
 Thanks again, I will keep you informed.
                                                      Andrew

[FieroDough]

Hummm... My money is on the slave from what your typed. Can you drive it over?

Spray the bleeder with a very good penetrating oil when engine is wharm. Do this every day and come and see me on the weekend. Bring a bottle of brake fluid. I will clean up the slave for you. there is lots of gunk that gets in there.

Cheers!
and good luck!