Clutch slave cylinder??

[gildersol]

Volvo S60 TSE
2002
55000 miles

Hi,

I have an issue which I would appreciate some opinions on.

About 4 weeks ago I made a 350 mile round trip in the car. There were no problems whatsoever, however just as I was around 10 miles from home the brake fluid light came on. When I got home I found the reservoir was empty. I got some brake fluid and topped it up.
I then remembered that there had been a couple of small wet patches round where I park the previous week which I thought were off another car.
I have since done some browsing to find that the same fluid operates the clutch and suspected a leak from the slave cylinder as I noticed that there was a wet bit at the hole on the bottom of the bellhousing.
Funnily enough I had felt as if the acceleration was maybe slightly not what it should be just before my trip.
Now I have noticed the odd slight judder when pulling away, but only once or twice.
The main thing is that since topping up the reservoir, the level has not gone down at all.

The guy at my local garage says it may have been due to the exceptionally cold weather we had affecting the rubber on the slave cylinder and it could have sealed again. The clutch could be wet from the leak and could dry out.

I did have a leak on the pipe at the bottom of the steering fluid reservoir during the freeze and it cured itself.

Any thoughts?

Also, should the fluid level get to empty in the reservoir before the light comes on.

[Dynosaur]

If it HAS leaked, then the slave WILL leak again .... leaving you somewhere without a clutch (probably when you come out first thing in the morning).

In case you're unaware, it shares a common reservoir with the braking system. Had you gone on much further with the low level indicator light ablaze, you may not have been here to write this post - given that the reservoir was empty when you got home.

Don't delay, get the slave changed.
The leak at the bell-housing confirms that it's in need of replacement - a common failure that I've had myself.

If DIY, you'll need two trolley jacks, time, methodicality and perseverance.
Otherwise, you're looking at £400 to £800 at the garage.

And no, the level indicator should come on when the fluid's at the FILL mark. So you either have a very fast leak, aren't checking immediately the light comes on, or a faulty cap/sensor.
The guy at the garage should have left you in no doubt as to the gravity of your situation before you left his premises.

[gildersol]

Thanks for the reply. So is it possible for a leak in the clutch system to result in the brakes failing?

[Georgey dee]

The slave cylinder is a common fault. I got mine done recently

[Dynosaur]

Originally Posted by gildersol

Thanks for the reply. So is it possible for a leak in the clutch system to result in the brakes failing?

Totally.
Rather unVolvo-like to place the brakes on the same system as something so (potentially and actually) prone to catastrophic fluid loss as a clutch slave - but hey.

[roy chu1]

I have this same problem, brake fluid weaping out of the hole under the car.

My car has covered 78k, and I have read clutches being changed at a low mileage of 38k, so I will cover my back as I have the CSC and the clutch kit, I will also get a flywheel. However the FW is sooooo very expensive.

I spoke to the service advisor and he said this is a common problem for them to fail so early.

My old 1998 V70 T5 did 186k before I sold it on and it was still functioning on its origional clutch slave cylinder.

Amazing how Volvo are supposed to last the worst weather, cutting corners is just ruining there own reputation.

But heym, I still love the brand

I hope you get it sorted

[Georgey dee]

It does share the same filler but the fluid tank is seperated by an internal wall which will let you fill them both up but keep fluid in there for one system if the other fails.

A nice volvo-like bit of design.

I found this out to my cost when I was try to bleed the brakes and didn't notice the tank was empty on one side , the brakes side. It looked full until I took a closer look IE from the front.


George

[Dynosaur]

Originally Posted by Georgey dee

It does share the same filler but the fluid tank is seperated by an internal wall which will let you fill them both up but keep fluid in there for one system if the other fails.

A nice volvo-like bit of design.

I found this out to my cost when I was try to bleed the brakes and didn't notice the tank was empty on one side , the brakes side. It looked full until I took a closer look IE from the front.


George

Makes sense, and would be the reason I never noticed the divider .... only ever did the clutch.

Comes as some relief, as it seemed unnecessarily wild a thing for Volvo to do.

Cheers for the heads-up.

[gildersol]

That's a relief for the time being.

[David Mck]

This is weird, i had to top up my reservoir but put it down to worn breaks lowering the level. Replaced discs and pads at the front but the level never came up as much as i topped up. On friday on the way into work i couldnt get a gear first thing at the house (clutch not working) pressed it a few times and hey ho all good and no further problems on the way in and back. Phoned local dealer and they thought my master cylinder might be on the way out?? I have no visable leaks but have to say i am uncomfortable that i have had to top up the brake fluid reservoir and havent established the cause / leak. BTW no judder or slip i was thinkiing of having the clutch blead as i was thinking air lock??? Am i delaying a repair that could have me in trouble???? has anyone had a clutch, slave and DMF done at a main dealer or is that just crazy talk? reading the haynes manual it looks like you need a lot of special tools and the adjustment looks a little tricky. Mine is also a D5 AWD.