Club 80-90 Forums

T25 diesel 1.6. - Henry!
Remember please, I'm the novice.

Clutch difficult to engage. think I have air in the system or low fluid level. Where's the Clutch cylinder reservoir please, and do I need any particular type of fluid?

Thanks, Richard

Hi Richard, the clutch and brake fluid reservoir is behind the instrument panel, sit in your driver seat, reach towards the screen and at the back or the console you will feel two handgrip slots, hold these and pull sharply, its scary at first but easier after the first time!

in there you will see the reservoir, if it is low top it up carefully, watch out that stuff is lethal!
Clutch slave cylinders seem to be the main culprits, get that checked out first.
Good luck.

Just had to replace my slave and bleeding through was a bit of a pain as it is a dual system with the brakes - beware no clutch, no brakes.

As Cate says ripping off the console top seems drastic but I found a reservoir in there too - coincidence, perhaps not. Odd place to hide it as any spillage of fluid drips into your console. I put wads of kitchen roll around the neck of the reservoir to catch any drips. Also had mine in a large 1L can so decanted it into a small plastic jug and topped up a little as a time.

Hope this helps. Still getting used to watercooled myself.

blurb55 wrote:Just had to replace my slave and bleeding through was a bit of a pain as it is a dual system with the brakes - beware no clutch, no brakes.

if a clutch part leaks you will only loose the clutch, the pipe going to the clutch master cylinder is half way up the reservior to prevent disasters, there are also 2 sections of the lower part of the reservior in case of brake leaks so you only loose either the front or rear brakes depending on which has failed.

well that's good to know, but my warning was nased upon the advice from another person on this forum!!!!

just a suggestion, but have a look at the operating end first, before you assume the problem is behind the dashboard. The slave cylinder and its seals are more likely to wear out than the master, given the pressure ratios and heat / vibration for a device sitting on top of the gearbox/engine. If there's any sign of fluid around the slave cylinder, you'll know where your problem lies.

If there's any sign of fluid around the slave cylinder, you'll know where your problem lies.

and even if there isn't, it might still be there