Clutch slipping

Post by **veedunk** » 26 Dec 2007, 19:17

Hi there,

The clutch on my my 2.0 Aircooled Westy has started to slip (I got stuck on a gravel drive on Xmas Eve).

It drives OK on the road but noticed that there is a horrible smell from the back of the van that I presume is the clutch slipping?

Anyway, I checked the fluid reservoir and it has lost some fluid but not much, which I have topped up for now, but there is fluid leaking somewhere as it is running down the steering column, I presume it is from the master cylinder.

Does anyone know if a leaky master cylinder would cause the clutch to slip, or do I have two separate problems?

Does anyone know how you adjust the master cylinder, I can't get my hands at the back of the master cylinder without scraping my knuckles let alone make any adjustments??

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Cheers

Veedunk

Post by **toomanytoys** » 27 Dec 2007, 12:33

Could be a combination...
getting stuck on a gravel drive but driving on the road??? doesnt sound like clutch slip...

Does the engine revd pick up when you accelerate and the vehicle doesnt?

leaking brake/clutch fluid is not good.. the clutch is the first thing to stop working if the fluid is leaking.. (safety feature) you MUST check it out... or get someone with experience to check it..

"smell" from the rear... does it dmell like very hot brakes? then the clutch could be slipping... either way... its going to let you down shortly if it is...

Post by **VWCamperfan** » 27 Dec 2007, 22:33

That clutch adjusting thing at the back above the master cylinder wont adjust your clutch at the engine end. Its just designed to take up free play at the pedal end. Mines got free play but its a real a**e to get to and adjust so I havnt bothered yet. Will get round to it one day when I look like Ghandi and can get behind the mechanics in the way!

Post by **edoh** » 27 Dec 2007, 23:50

tmt -
i'm wondering about your comment - 'leaking brake/clutch fluid is not good.. the clutch is the first thing to stop working if the fluid is leaking.. (safety feature) you MUST check it out... or get someone with experience to check it.. ' - how would the clutch stop working if there was a leak? -i've been struggling with changing a master/slace cylinder - and bleeding the system - some leaking seemed inevitable? - be good to know yr take -

Post by **veedunk** » 28 Dec 2007, 08:06

Thanks for your comments,

I will change the master cylinder first and see if that makes any difference - I think not but if it is leaking then I need to do it anyway.

I have been considering whether or not it is the brakes that are the problem, I will get chance today to jack it up and have a good look.

Will let you know how I get on...

Cheers

Duncan

Post by **toomanytoys** » 28 Dec 2007, 13:21

edoh wrote:tmt -
i'm wondering about your comment - 'leaking brake/clutch fluid is not good.. the clutch is the first thing to stop working if the fluid is leaking.. (safety feature) you MUST check it out... or get someone with experience to check it.. ' - how would the clutch stop working if there was a leak? -i've been struggling with changing a master/slace cylinder - and bleeding the system - some leaking seemed inevitable? - be good to know yr take -

The brakes and clutch are supplied from the same res...
any fluid leaks are not "normal"... bleeding the cltch system is easy.. if the slave cyle bleed nipple isnt seized.. no need to bleed from the master cyl... just make sure there is plenty of fluid and keep topping up until no more air comes out of the slave cyl...

Post by **edoh** » 28 Dec 2007, 21:01

that's useful information -

completely bled the clutch through the slave cylinder - and went for a long run - gears changing fine - no leaks anywhere - so all seems to be well -

Post by **veedunk** » 06 Jan 2008, 14:40

Well I still haven't replaced the master cylinder, that's my next job, but the funny smell seems to have passed. Perhaps it was caused by me revving the engine??

However, I got stuck in a very muddy field today, the wheels were just spinning. It may sound like a stupid question but is it right that only one wheel spins or should both spin at the same time?

Is it normal for a T25 Westy to get stuck so easily, all the 'normal' cars were driving through OK? I have normal van tyres with plenty of tread and standard wheels.

Any help will be appreciated before I sell up and buy a Syncro

Cheers

Duncan