Car repair question: clutch fluid

[Sainters7]

So like a dummy I somehow let my clutch fluid go empty, and it won't let me shift now. When the car is off it still shifts fine, which I've read sounds like an issue with the clutch itself. Want to top it off with some brake fluid but I've read I apparently need to bleed the lines of the clutch, since it went empty and air is likely in there now. For someone who doesn't really know what they're doing, is this an easy enough fix to do it myself and a buddy? And if not, anyone able to recommend a fair place to go in the south? Curious what this will cost and how long it could take.

I know I can call around & find out this stuff tomorrow, but just stressing about it in the meantime so figured I'd ask the good people of CP. Thanks

[btimbit]

If you need to bleed it and aren't very car savvy it's probably not the best place to start. But it depends on the car, some are incredibly easy.

http://www.wikihow.com/Bleed-a-Slave-Cylinder

If you want to go to a mechanic, In the south I recommend shawnee station minute muffler, mechanic's don't get much more honest than Geoff. Anything I don't feel like doing, I take there. I've gone there for everything from a waterpump to custom fabrication for a turbo wastegate dump pipe

[Sainters7]

Thanks man, appreciated. That's not overly far from my place either, I will definitely give them a call. Ya I really don't feel comfortable tinkering with it myself, nothing good could come of that.

[Sainters7]

May not be able to do it for a few days due to work, should I put some brake fluid in there in the meantime to keep things lubricated? I wouldn't be driving it during that time or anything, but just curious

[btimbit]

You can try, depending on how much air is in their the clutch might just feel off and really soft, or it might not work at all.

Should have asked first, but how did you lose the fluid in the first place? You might need to replace the clutch master cylinder if it's leaking

[zamler]

Definably find out why the fluid leaked out, otherwise you'll be wasting your time bleeding the air out. I would top off the reservoir in the mean time, hopefully it won't leak out too fast. Beware that brake fluid is highly reactive and will degrade things like car paint readily.

Would not be a bad idea to put a piece of wood or cardboard under the transmission area.

[Sainters7]

Thanks guys, ya its an older car (graduated not too long ago, it's what I call my "college car") and I know it's had some minor leaking issues. I've been keeping an eye on the clutch fluid levels, but guess I didn't look for awhile. Still shouldn't have been long enough for this to happen though, to a healthy one.


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[Northendzone]

Makes me sad that less than a week after the passing of mr. Mandela, we are here talking about slaves........

[Sainters7]

So I put some brake fluid in there, then let it warm up for a bit and pumped the clutch a few times just to get the juices flowing...And somehow it worked absolutely fine, shifter felt good. I was surprised, as everything I had read sounded like it wouldn't even work until you bleed the lines.

Took er for a 2min spin around the block to let everything flow, seemed mostly fine. A couple times it acted up minorly where the clutch would go soft, but a couple pumps on it brought it back to normal, I'm guessing the fluid was still mixing it's way in. Did I dodge a bullet, or do I still need my lines bled?


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[btimbit]

Those couple of times it acted up would be the air pockets that haven't been bled out. Really up to you if it's worth doing, especially if it's just going to keep leaking anyway.

[Sainters7]

Ya true, I suppose I already know the answer. Just being cheap around the holidays, hate spending money on myself when I'm already buying presents. But clearly its gotta be done.

One last question, if I do wait a couple weeks. Will driving it like that for a bit do further damage to the clutch/tranny? Or is it just more of an annoyance? I barely drive lately as it is (live right by the train & work downtown), but just for the odd errand around my community here & there. Thanks again guys

[zamler]

You won't hurt the transmission as long as the clutch is working properly so you have smooth shifts. Clutch systems are really easy to get air out because the line is quite short, so pumping the pedal will get most of the air out and it will work pretty well.

Just keep an eye on the fluid level.