Miata Mailing List: March 2000, Message #2710

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I had a strange encounter last Saturday. I was out with the local club  and
noticed the clutch pedal had a little more freeplay then usual, but it
didn't feel excessive. I headed over to a friend's house later that
afternoon and the clutch was still acting the same way. Later that evening
however, it started getting really bad on the ride home (good thing it was
mostly on the interstate) - With my foot and the pedal to the floor, even
the lightest release of pressure would engage the clutch, and then after
about 1 or 2 inches of travel, it would be total freeplay. Occasionally, I'd
have to pump the clutch like mad to get enough pressure to get it into gear.
When I got home I thought to check the clutch fluid - my last car had a
cable actuated clutch, so I haven't checked any clutch fluid in over 2 1/2
years - and it was bone dry. A quick run up to QuikTrip got me some fluid.
As soon as I put it  in, I felt a difference, but it wasn't back to normal.
Of course, I know it needs to be bled, but I didn't have time Sunday (due to
auto-x, which I encountered no problems with it). I think I remember seeing
somewhere it's common for the slave cylinder to leak gradually on higher
mileage cars (My 91 now has 86,000 miles), but I'm not sure where. Rather
then bleed it and have it leak again, or continue to leak, I was thinking
about replacing it ($61 at the local dealer - 10% Miata Club discount) -
which doesn't seem like a hard job. I'm most likely also going to buy myself
a self-bleeder, because it seems it will be useful since I'm usually by
myself when doing things like brakes, etc. How much do they usually sell
for? Approximately of course :) Thanks!
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