Master or slave cylinder?

[Ecky]

This morning my clutch was a bit spongy. It didn't go to the floor, but something wasn't right. After dropping my wife off at work, I checked the fluid level and found the reservoir was low. I topped it off, pumped the clutch a few times, and it hardened back up. I'm certain the reservoir was full maybe 2-3 months ago, last I checked it.

I decided to do a visual of the entire line, and didn't see any puddles, but it appears there might be a slow leak at the slave, and I'm not sure about the master - there's some grease that has migrated out and it could be because of a leak.

I went ahead and bled the system, hoping the newer, thinner fluid might leak more quickly and be easier to spot, and found the old fluid looked like chocolate milk.

What do you guys think?

Slave:




Master, where the grease is coming out:




Fluid:

[California98Civic]

My slave cylinder went like this. It first softened for a few days or weeks, and then total failure as I was driving around town. Fairly simple fix. My guess would be thse are always progressive problems, so knce there is a leak and softening, replace the indicated part, which seems to be the Master in this case. My two cents.

[Ecky]

Thanks. You don't think this is anything? (slave cylinder)

[Insight for life]

They both need to be replaced It looks like. I just got done replacing both of mine. I have found on insights that usually the master goes first but In my case it was the slave, at only 77k miles. They are worth replacing at the same time. You car see the master has leaked down on on your firewall that's what the stain is underneath it on the black insulation. And it looks like the slave is leaking too. That's how mine was. I tool the rubber boot off the slave and a bunch of fluid came out.

There are instructions on this forum on how to do both with pictures. It was under something like "resurrecting an insight" or something like that. I can look later if you can't find it and need it.

[Ecky]

I should be able to find it, thanks.

Considering how little more factory parts are than RockAuto's, I think I'm going with originals. $150 for the pair isn't bad.

[oldtamiyaphile]

If one needs doing, I always do the other as well, as it's probably not got long to live anyway. Especially so if it's a cheap and easy job (which it usually is).

[user removed]

Originally Posted by Ecky

I should be able to find it, thanks.

Considering how little more factory parts are than RockAuto's, I think I'm going with originals. $150 for the pair isn't bad.

Plan on doing them again in 2030. Replace the fluid every few years and they will last even longer.

regards
mech