Clutch slave cylinder or master cylinder ?

[ColinS]

Hi people ,

I own a 2003 1.8t quattro. The car has recently developed a problem with the clutch. I have a had a read through some of the threads and it sounds like it is quite a commom problem.

The clutch sometimes seems to loose pressure meaning that I need to push the pedal all the way to the floor and it still seems as if it is not fully engaged as it is difficult to select gears. The pedal will also not return properly from time to time and I need to pull it back up with my foot.

If i pump the pedal a few times it builds the pressure back up and it is ok for a while.

I have had a look under the car and it seems pretty dry ie no fluid leaking out from the gearbox and the fluid in the reservoir is at the correct level.

Do you think it is the slave cylinder ? . . . .

I dont fancy taking the gearbox off !!

 

[danotto]

sounds like slave cylinder or master cylinder,master cylinder is under the clutch pedal,so not too bad to change,if not try and bleed the clutch as it is hydraulic.maybe a seal or something has perished and is allowing air into the system.Just a thought.

 

[ColinS]

Thanks for your reply Danotto.

After bleeding clutch several times and replacing master cylinder it felt better.

I have just returned from holiday so the car has been sitting idle for 2 weeks and has no clutch at all !!

I have tried bleeding it but the fluid is full of bubbles and I am getting no where with it !!

Please someone help !

 

[rickparmar]

Happened to me, i changed the master cylinder didnt fix the problem, so changed the slave cylinder,

I have a huge feeling that your slave cylinder is gone

 

[ColinS]

So have I :-(

Did you replace the clutch and flywheel when you had the slave cylinder replaced ?

 

[rickparmar]

So have I :-(

Did you replace the clutch and flywheel when you had the slave cylinder replaced ?

Yup just made sense to do that as well,

spent total about £800ish i think or less

 

[ColinS]

Thanks for your reply

So its gearbox off time now.

 

[Broken Byzan]

I take it you cannot change the slave with the gearbox in place on the A3 then?

 

[evotista]

UNfortuately not...on an 8L A3 to change the slave cylinder (which also encompasses the clutch release bearing) its a full front suspension subframe drop and gearbox out job...put it all back together and then full susp realignment recommended. Typically minimum of 5ish hours labour...could be up to 7ish hours...therefore easily 500+ quid even at an independent...never mind an Audi stealer.

 

[Ian W]

Sounds like what happend to mine, my clutch pedal started dropping to the floor, a week later I had no pedal at all !

As people have said its basically a full box off / new slave cylinder / clutch / flywheel job

 

[h100vw]

UNfortuately not...on an 8L A3 to change the slave cylinder (which also encompasses the clutch release bearing) its a full front suspension subframe drop and gearbox out job...put it all back together and then full susp realignment recommended. Typically minimum of 5ish hours labour...could be up to 7ish hours...therefore easily 500+ quid even at an independent...never mind an Audi stealer.

Not quite right.

The slave cylinder is on the outside of the box on an A3. The S3 has the slave cylinder is on the inside of the bell housing.

Gavin

 

[PW-Motorsport]

I had a similar fault on a customers car.
After many parts changed, turned out to be the connecting piece with the bleed nipple, just before the slave cylinder. It was leaking allowing air into the system.

 

[leon13]

My S3 8L has just emptied the clutch fluid all over the road.

I'm yet to be able to take a look underneath, but has anyone had such a dramatic emptying before?

 

[ttaalliibb]

HI I have the same problem. no clutch at all... I found no leak on the pipes and after a dip search i found leak on slave cylinder. but I was not a 100% sure until I drive it and I fount that clutch plate spin.
that mean that dot 4 is inside the clutch<slave cylinder leak> I need to take gearbox out and replace clutch plate and rest parts. also I will put a lightened fly wheel to increase torque.
this is my advice for you ColicS
thanks

 

[Thabani Nyati]

I had a similar fault on a customers car.
After many parts changed, turned out to be the connecting piece with the bleed nipple, just before the slave cylinder. It was leaking allowing air into the system.

Hi.

I had a similar fault on a customers car.
After many parts changed, turned out to be the connecting piece with the bleed nipple, just before the slave cylinder. It was leaking allowing air into the system.

Hi . How did you solve the issue on your customers car.I have an audi a3 and after full clutc job the clutch system isnt holding any pressure whatsoever. Any help appreciated.

 

[<tuffty/>]

Hi.

Hi . How did you solve the issue on your customers car.I have an audi a3 and after full clutc job the clutch system isnt holding any pressure whatsoever. Any help appreciated.

The bleed nipple section will need replacing (PN I believe is 1J0721468C)

<tuffty/>

 

[SHUk]

Is there a how to guide for replacing the slave cylinder on an Audi a3

 

[<tuffty/>]

Is there a how to guide for replacing the slave cylinder on an Audi a3

http://workshop-manuals.com/audi/a3...anism/removing_and_installing_slave_cylinder/

<tuffty/>

 

[SHUk]

Tuffet saves the day!!! =[]

 

[<tuffty/>]

No he didn't... I did...

<tuffty/>

 

[SHUk]

How can I use vagcom to bleed the system?

 

[SHUk]

No he didn't... I did...

<tuffty/>

****** auto correct... =[]

 

[<tuffty/>]

How can I use vagcom to bleed the system?

You don't....

<tuffty/>

 

[TacMonkey]

Tuffty, you are my hero. Was facing a 1000-3000 euro repair cost for my A3 8L 2000, since the clutch gave out. Maybe that manual is all mI need for som DIY