Q: Master or slave cylinder?

asked by on November 02, 2016

My clutch pedal has started dropping to the floorboard and sticking. I was thinking master cylinder since the brake fluid is dark and milky. But it is still pumping fluid and holding fluid level. When I crack the bleeder screws it squirts a good stream. I've seen no leaks and I can see the slave cylinder piston move slightly. I already bought the master, but I'm starting to think it's the slave.

My car has 220000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

I have water in my oil and need to fix the problem.
This problem is not an easily fixed problem. I would not recommend driving the car any more until a qualified technician can determine the problem. Water in the oil is a sign that you may have a blown head gasket...
Gas pedal not working
Hello. Your car is equipped with an electric throttle actuator, so there is no mechanical link between the gas pedal and the throttle valve. The gas pedal in your car is just a sensor that tells the computer how much...
Car shakes during acceleration and jerks to the right
If the engine shakes on acceleration even in neutral, then there is an imbalance in the rotating assembly of the engine. This could be caused by an engine peripheral such as an alternator or water pump or an issue with...
I have an aftermarket intake and it's reading 4.9 psi. Is that good or bad?
Hi there. An intake manifold should read 19 to 22 hg. This is 19 vacuum to 22 vacuum. If you are getting a psi reading, then there is either a turbo on your vehicle or the engine timing is out...
Trouble starting unless I prime the fuel pump, turn off key and then prime again and start it.
The most common cause of the fuel system not holding pressure up to the injectors is the fuel pump inside the fuel tank. The fuel pump has a check valve built into it that is supposed to keep pressure to...
My air conditioner is not working , but my heater is , what can be the problem
Hello. Thank you for writing in. The A/C (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heating-ac-inspection) system and the heating system have relatively little to do with each other. They share a blower motor, and climate control switches. With the heater working we can assume that these...
Leaking fluid AND sometimes won't start right away.
Hi there. Typically a 'coolant leak' and a hard starting problem is not related. However, coolant should be mixed at a ratio of 50 percent coolant and 50 percent distilled water. Adding water instead can thin the mix, crack the...
Hello, my 2011 Chevy aveo is stalling at 60mph on the freeway and is smoking from the tail pipe. Do you have an idea of what this
Hi Nicole. Thanks for submitting your question tonight. There are a few possible issues here. First off, if the check engine light is illuminated, this means that one of the vehicle sensors has detected some sort or mechanical or electrical...

Related articles

How Can I Tell If My Clutch Is Slipping?
For some drivers, shifting a manual transmission is second nature. Others prefer to rely on automatic transmissions. Drivers of automatic vehicles don’t have...
How to Buy a Good Quality Clutch Master Cylinder
The The master cylinder in a manual transmission system functions similarly to the brake master cylinder, and in fact, both systems use brake fluid to lubricate the interior components and provide the pressure necessary to operate the other elements of...
How to Troubleshoot a Clutch That Won't Fully Disengage
A slipping clutch is a clutch that's not fully disengaging, which could be caused by a broken clutch cable, a hydraulic leak, or incompatible parts.