njmodi
Well-Known Member
2002 Accord 4-dr EX-L 4-cyl (obviously 5spd since I have a clutch question).
When the car has been sitting overnight, the clutch pedal is really hard to press and also feels springy/spongy all the way to the floor, rather than having the normal feel of firmness up until the midpoint an then more free movement to the floor.
I have checked the master and slave cylinders and there are no leaks outside or on bell housing nor on the floorpan/under carpet.
The problem goes away after some driving and then returns after the car has been sitting again. So it definitely seems to be related to fluid temperature.
I know it could be the master/slave clutch cylinders, but I'm trying to understand also (as part of having a definitive diagnosis) as to HOW the symptoms I have could be caused by one/both cylinders being bad?
I don't like throwing parts at the car without also understanding cause/effect.
My theory is that when the fluid gets hotter, the seals in the master cylinder are expanding just enough to seal properly and this is why the behavior changes after a bit of driving.
I don't understand why the pedal pressure is increasing under cold starts though...if fluid was leaking past the seal, I would expect the pedal to feel soft.
Thanks for any thoughts/theories/discussion.
When the car has been sitting overnight, the clutch pedal is really hard to press and also feels springy/spongy all the way to the floor, rather than having the normal feel of firmness up until the midpoint an then more free movement to the floor.
I have checked the master and slave cylinders and there are no leaks outside or on bell housing nor on the floorpan/under carpet.
The problem goes away after some driving and then returns after the car has been sitting again. So it definitely seems to be related to fluid temperature.
I know it could be the master/slave clutch cylinders, but I'm trying to understand also (as part of having a definitive diagnosis) as to HOW the symptoms I have could be caused by one/both cylinders being bad?
I don't like throwing parts at the car without also understanding cause/effect.
My theory is that when the fluid gets hotter, the seals in the master cylinder are expanding just enough to seal properly and this is why the behavior changes after a bit of driving.
I don't understand why the pedal pressure is increasing under cold starts though...if fluid was leaking past the seal, I would expect the pedal to feel soft.
Thanks for any thoughts/theories/discussion.