[DeTomaso] Failure modes for hydraulic clutch circuit

[CharlesMcCall]

Thanks for all the replies.. 

 

Just to be clear, I suffered a one-time fluid loss and filled the reservoir.
>From that point on, I didn't detect any drop on the fluid level after
driving a full day, with perhaps 100 (or more) pumps of the clutch pedal. So
whatever leak I have appears to be a very very slow leak. 

 

But despite this leak, the system wouldn't maintain pressure and I had to
pump the pedal a bunch of times to get the clutch to operate. I wonder if
the fluid leak and lack of operation are unrelated, or at least not directly
linked?

 

Just to be clear - fill up the reservoir. Clutch will only work after
pumping a bunch of times. Check reservoir - it hasn't gone down. Still
requires pumping a bunch of times to get it to work. 

 

Is there any way of knowing if it's the clutch slave or master that is
bypassing? Based on replies, I'm assuming that is what is happening. The
guilt party is probably dribbling liquid a little as well, but that doesn't
appear to be the cause of the clutch malfunction (although brake fluid
shouldn't be dripping about...)

 

Besides Marino, who else has quality long-throw slaves?

 

Thanks!

 

Charles McCall
Raising Pantera Awareness Across Europe
1985 DeTomaso Pantera #9375
 <http://www.poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=2323>
http://www.poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=2323

 

From: MikeLDrew at aol.com [mailto:MikeLDrew at aol.com] 
Sent: domingo, 06 de mayo de 2012 18:13
To: charlesmccall at gmail.com; detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Failure modes for hydraulic clutch circuit

 


In a message dated 5/6/12 6 19 14, charlesmccall at gmail.com writes:





Do these symptoms match the classic failure of something? Clutch master, for
example? Where should I be looking for the fluid that leaked out? The clutch
master and slave are at least 12 years old, and may be original to the car,
along with the red plastic line to the slave.



>>>The fact that you suffered a fluid loss would indicate that you are NOT
suffering from the symptoms that have befallen many, many Pantera owners of
late--failures of recently-replaced clutch master cylinders due to fluid
bypassing the seals internally.

You have a leak.  It should be a fairly straightforward process to find and
eliminate the leak.  If it's the slave cylinder, it will be spooging all
over the place back there.  You can easily just replace the slave.  If it's
the master cylinder, chances are it dumped a bunch of brake fluid into your
footwell.  Fortunately brake fluid is water-soluble, but you will definitely
want to give the carpet a thorough shampoo and wash.  Then replace the
master (you should get one of the Good Ones, from Roland, since you're over
in his neighborhood anyway).

If the leak is somewhere enroute, i.e. a bad line, then it's a simple matter
to find and fix that.  The red plastic hose that connects the back of the
hard line with the top of the slave cylinder is notoriously bad, and those
will sometimes just blow apart where the hose is pressed onto the metal
fittings.  A braided stainless steel replacement can easily be had which
will last forever.

Let us know what you find out!

Mike