I have a 2000 EX 5 speed. The Clutch Slave has a slow leak, I've been adding fluid about every 5 months. I've decided to replace it, but should I also replace the Clutch Master at the same time? I've ordered a Dorman CSC.

 

I think this is a personal decision to make.

Most shops insist on doing both at same time. Only time I ever had to replace a CSC, I had the CMC fail later. Not sure what that means, but that was my experience.

The CMC can be more difficult to access/replace than the slave.

good luck

 

Thanks for the feedback. I expect I'll be changing the CMC in the near future. I'll keep an eye on it, right now, it's as dry as a bone. Initially, the leak was sooo slow, that I had a difficult time to confirm where it was coming from. No doubt about it now, the boot is wet and you can see where the brake fluid has seeped outside onto the CSC.

 

normally when you replace the master you replace the slave not really the other way around since the master is a little bit higher in labor time

just look at the master push rod ... if leaking replace it otherwise leave it

 

Manny, I ordered the CSC, it should be in on Thursday. I'll keep a close eye on the CMC.

 

Presumably the fluid is leaking out of the slave, and you've ruled out a leak in the line between master to slave? There's a rubber section in that line that might leak?

If you haven't found where the fluid is leaking out, you might want to look carefully around where the clutch-master pushrod comes through the firewall to the pedal. Fluid can soak into the padding underneath the carpet & you don't see it leaking.

 

Thanks Jim. I gave it another look to make certain it was dry around the CMC. It's fine. The leak has gotten much worse, I now can see fluid around the CSC, that's definately where it's leaking. I should receive the CSC today or the latest tomorrow. I may change out that rubber line while I'm at it.

 

just doublecheck the master pushrod as we said it will leak down it if its going bad

 

Internal leak (back into reservoir) is a bit different. In that case there's no loss of fluid inventory. No leakage OUT anywhere at all.

Internal leak symptom is that when you disengage the clutch (hold the pedal down) for a long time, it gradually engages and begins pushing the car to move.

 

The CSC is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, so I pulled the old one off tonight. Since the car is pushing 200K, I've decided to order the CMC and change it out also. I might as well bite the bullet and get the hydraulics sound. One less issue to have to worry about.